2010 TOYOTA PRIUS service

Maintenance and care4
403
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting 
the vehicle’s exterior ...... 404
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle’s interior ....... 407
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance 
requirements .................. 410
General maintenance....... 412
Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) 
programs ........................ 415
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service 
precautions .................... 416
Hood ................................ 420
Positioning a floor jack ..... 423
Engine compartment ........ 425
12 volt battery .................. 436
Tires ................................. 441
Tire inflation pressure ...... 451
Wheels ............................. 455
Air conditioning filter......... 457
Electronic key battery....... 460
Checking and replacing 
fuses .............................. 462
Light bulbs........................ 472

411
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Toyota dealer
● Toyota technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date
with the latest service information. They are well informed about the
operations of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly
take care of it.
CAUTION
■Warning in handling of 12 volt battery, oils, fuels, and fluids
● Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● 12 volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your
hands after handling. ( P. 436)
● Used engine oil contains chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer
in laboratory animals. Avoid prolonged and repeated contact. Always pro-
tect your skin by washing thoroughly with soap and water.

412
4-2. Maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
General maintenance
Engine compartment
Luggage compartment
ItemsCheck points
Brake fluid • At the correct level? (P. 432)
Engine/power control unit coolant • At the correct level? ( P. 430)
Engine oil • At the correct level? (P. 426)
Exhaust system • No fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hoses • Not blocked with foreign matter?

( P. 432)
Washer fluid • At the correct level? (P. 434)
ItemsCheck points
12 volt battery • Maintenance-free ( P. 436)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supple ment”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Owner’s Warranty Informa-
tion”. It is recommended that an y problem you notice should be
brought to the attention of your Toyota dealer or qualified service
shop for advice.

415
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system moni-
tors the operation of the emission control system.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere
in the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/
M test and may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer
to service the vehicle.
■ Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
●When the 12 volt battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are se t during ordinary driving are
erased. 
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes
may not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary mal-
function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■ When the malfunction indicator lamp goes off after several
driving trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■ If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.

429
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■
Used engine oil
● Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground. 
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly retightened.

456 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your Toyota are equipped with tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to
provide advanced warning in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure.
Whenever wheels are replaced, the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must be installed. (P. 442)
CAUTION
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in
the Owner’s Manual, as this may re sult in loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a
tubeless tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing death or seri-
ous injury.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your
Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to
purchase your tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at your
Toyota dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine Toyota wheels are used on your vehicle. 
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly
with non-genuine wheels.

5
When trouble arises
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5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer before towing.
● The hybrid system is operating, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard, surfaced roads
for short distances below 18 mph (30 km/h). 
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or a flat bed truck. 
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
If towing from the front, the vehicle ’s rear wheel and axles must be in
good condition. ( P. 491)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

570 6-1. Specifications
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Toyota does not recomm end blended gasoline
● Toyota allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline where the oxygen-
ate content is up to 10 % ethanol or 15 % MTBE.
● If you use gasohol in your Toyota, be sure that it has an octane rating no
lower than 87.
● Toyota DOES NOT recommend the use of gasoline containing methanol.
■ Toyota does not recommend gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methylcy
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota DOES NOT recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If
fuel containing MMT is used, your emission control system may be
adversely affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If
this happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service.