2009 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
449
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
If the 12 volt batter y is discharged
The following procedures may be used to start the hybrid system if
the vehicle’s 12 volt battery is discharged.
You can call your Toyota dealer, or qualified repair shop.
If you have a set of jumper (or boo ster) cables and a second vehi-
cle with a 12 volt battery, you can jump start your Toyota following
the steps below.
Open the hood and fuse block cover.
Open the exclusive jump start-
ing terminal cover.
STEP1
STEP2

450 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
Connecting the jumper cables.
Exclusive jump starting terminal on your vehicle.
Positive (+) battery terminal on the second vehicle.
Negative (-) battery terminal on the second vehicle.
Connect the jumper cable to ground on your vehicle as shown in
the illustration.STEP3
ITY52P017

5
When trouble arises
451
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
■
Starting the hybrid system when the battery is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started by push-starting.
■ Avoiding a discharged 12 volt battery
● Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the hybrid system is
turned off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is run-
ning at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic, etc.
Start the engine of the second vehicle. Increase the engine
speed slightly and maintain at that level for approximately
five minutes to recharge the 12 volt battery of your vehicle.
Open and close any of the doors with the “POWER” switch
OFF.
Maintain the engine speed on the second vehicle and turn
the “POWER” switch to the ON mode, then start the vehi-
cle’s hybrid system.
Make sure the “READY” light comes on. If the “READY”
light will not come on and the hybrid system will not start
after you recharge the battery, do the following procedure.
Turn the hybrid system off. Open and close the driver’s
door. Then push the “POWER” switch briefly and firmly. If
the light does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
Once the vehicle’s hybrid syst em has started, remove the
jumper cables in the exact reverse order in which they were
connected.
Once the hybrid system starts, have the vehicle checked at your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.STEP4
STEP5
STEP6
STEP7
STEP8

452 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
■When the 12 volt battery is removed or discharged
The following systems must be initialized.
● Power windows (
P. 76)
● The hybrid system may not start. ( P. 446)
CAUTION
■Avoiding 12 volt battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flam-
mable gas that may be emitted from the 12 volt battery.
● Make sure the jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that it
is not unintentionally in contact with any part other than the intended termi-
nal.
● Do not allow the jumper cables to come into contact with the “+” and “-” ter-
minals.
● Do not allow open flame or use matc hes, cigarette lighters or smoke near
the 12 volt battery.
■ 12 volt battery precautions
The 12 volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while
related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following pre-
cautions when handling the 12 volt battery:
● When working with the 12 volt battery, always wear safety glasses and
take care not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with
skin, clothing or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the 12 volt battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the 12 volt battery.

5
When trouble arises
453
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
NOTICE
■
To prevent damaging the vehicle
The exclusive jump starting terminal is to be used when charging the 12 volt
battery from another vehicle in an emergency. It cannot be used to jump start
another vehicle.
■ When handling jumper cables
Be careful that the jumper cables do not become tangled in the cooling fan
or any of the belts when connecting or disconnecting them.

454
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
If your vehicle overheats
Correction proceduresStop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the automatic air
conditioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the hybrid system. Carefully lift the hood after the
steam subsides and then restart the hybrid system.
If you do not see steam: Leave the hybrid system operating and carefully lift the
hood.
Remove the engine compartment cover. ( P. 361)
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: Wait until the engine coolant temperature gauge begins to
fall and then stop the hybrid system.
If the fan is not operating: Stop the hybrid system immediately and call your local Toy-
ota dealer.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating:
The high engine coolant temperature warning light comes on:
The hybrid system may be overheating.
Follow the correction procedure as described blow.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

5
When trouble arises
455
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
After the hybrid system has
cooled down sufficiently, check
the coolant level and inspect the
radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.
Add coolant if required.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if coolant is
unavailable. (
P. 465)
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
ITY52P018
STEP5
ITY52P019
STEP6
■Overheating
In the following situations, your vehicle may be overheating.
● High coolant temperature warning light is displayed on the touch screen.
● Steam is coming from under the hood.

456 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injury such as burns.
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and engine drive belt while the
hybrid system is operating.
● Do not loosen the radiator cap while the hybrid system and radiator are
hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the hybrid system has cooled down before adding engine/inverter
coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot hybrid sys-
tem too quickly can cause damage to the hybrid system.