2010 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
NOTICE
■Do not drive the vehicle with a flat tire
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.

Driving even a short distance with a fl at tire can damage the tire and the
wheel beyond repair.
■Be careful when driving over bumps with the compact spare tire
installed on the vehicle
The vehicle becomes lower when driving with the compact spare tire
compared to when drivin g with standard tires. Be careful when driving
over uneven road surfaces.
■Driving with tire chains and the compact spare tire
Do not fit tire chains to the compact spare tire. 
Tire chains may damage the vehicle body and adversely affect driving
performance.
■When replacing the tires
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter, contact your To yota dealer as the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter may be damaged if not handled correctly.
■To avoid damaging the tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters
Do not use liquid sealants on flat tires.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
If the hybrid system will not start
If the hybrid system still does not start after following the correct
starting procedure (
P. 164), confirm the following points.
■ The hybrid system will not start even if you are carrying the
correct key.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
●There may not be sufficient fuel in the vehicle’s tank. 
Refuel the vehicle.
● The electronic key battery may be discharged. ( P. 541)
● The hybrid system may be malfunct ioning due to an electrical
problem such as an open circuit or a blown fuse. However,
depending on the type of malfunc tion, an interim measure is
available to start the hybrid system. ( P. 539)
● There may be a malfunction in the immobilizer system. 
( P. 108)
■ The interior lights and headlight s are dim, or the horn does
not sound or sounds at a low volume.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
● The 12 volt battery may be discharged. ( P. 543)
● The 12 volt battery terminal c onnections may be loose or cor-
roded.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Emergency start function
When the hybrid system does not start, the following steps can be
used as an interim measure to st art the hybrid system if the
“POWER” switch is functioning normally.
Set the parking brake.
Set the “POWER” switch to the ACCESSORY mode.
Push and hold the “POWER” switch for about 15 seconds
while depressing the brake pedal firmly.
Even if the hybrid system can be started using the above steps, the
system may be malfunctioning. Ha ve the vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer.
■ The interior lights and headlights do not turn on, or the horn
does not sound.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
●One or both of the 12 volt ba ttery terminals may be discon-
nected.
● The 12 volt battery may be discharged. ( P. 543)
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if
repair procedures are unknown.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
If you lose your keys
New genuine Toyota keys can be made by your Toyota dealer using
other key and the key number stamped on your key number plate.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
If the electronic key does not operate properly
Locking and unlocking the doorsUsing the mechanical key
( P. 41) in order to perform
the following operations:
Locks all doors
Unlocks the door
Turning the key rearward unlocks
the driver’s door. Turning the key
once again within 3 seconds
unlocks the other doors.
If communication between the elect ronic key and vehicle is inter-
rupted (
P. 43, 57) or the electronic key cannot be used because the
battery is depleted, the smart key system and wireless remote con-
trol cannot be used. In such cases, the doors can be opened or the
hybrid system can be started by following the procedure below.
ITO52P12N

542 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Changing “POWER” switch modes and starting the hybrid sys-
temApply the brakes and touch the
Toyota emblem side of the
electronic key to the “POWER”
switch.
An alarm will sound to indicate
that the start function cannot
detect the electronic key that is
touched to the “POWER” switch if
any of the doors is opened and
closed while the key is touched to
the switch.
To change “POWER” switch modes: Within 10 seconds of the
buzzer sounding, release the brake pedal and press the
“POWER” switch. Modes can be changed each time the
switch is pressed. ( P. 164) 
To start the hybrid system: Press the “POWER” switch within
10 seconds after the buzzer s ounds, keeping the brake pedal
depressed.
In the event that the “POWER” swit ch still cannot be operated, con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
ITO52P165
STEP1
■ Stopping the hybrid system
Push the “P” position switch and press the “POWER” switch as you normally
do when stopping the hybrid system.
■ Replacing the key battery
As this procedure is the temporary measure, it is recommended that the
electronic key battery be replaced immediately when the battery depletes.
(P. 460)
STEP2

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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.
ITO43P127
STEP1
ITO52P135
STEP2

544 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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 groun d on your vehicle as shown in
the illustration.
STEP3