2012 TOYOTA PRIUS C parking brake

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When trouble arises
427
5-1. Essential information
Towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truckFrom the front Release the parking brake.
From the rear Use a towing dolly under the
front wheels.

428 5-1. Essential information
Using a flatbed truckIf you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45.
Do not overly tighten the tie
downs or the vehicle may be
damaged.
■ Before emergency towing
Vehicles without a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” (hybrid system off) or “ON”
(hybrid system operating) position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
Turn the “POWER” switch to ACCESSORY (hybrid system off) or
ON (hybrid system operating) mode.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Release the parking brake.
■ Emergency towing eyelet location
P. 457
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a war ning light turns on or a war ning buzzer sounds
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle
may be dangerous.The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
*: Brake system warning buzzer: When there is a possible problem that could affect braking performance, the
warning light will come on and a warning buzzer will sound.
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
P. 444
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Brake system warning light in red (warning buzzer)*
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released the system is operating normally.
Calmly perform the following actio ns if any of the warning lights
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then goes
off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the system.
However, if this continues to o ccur, have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
(Flashes)
(If equipped) Indicates that the
moon roof is not fully
closed (with the
“POWER” switch off
and the driver's door
is open)
A buzzer also sounds. Close the moon roof.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) (red) Indicates that the
parking brake is still
engaged
If the vehicle reaches
a speed of 3 mph (5
km/h), flashes
and a buzzer sounds
to indicate that the
parking brake is still
engaged. Release the parking
brake.
(U.S.A. only) Indicates that all
maintenance accord-
ing to the driven dis-
tance on the
maintenance sched-
ule
*1 should be per-
formed soon If necessary, perform
maintenance.
Comes on approxi-
mately 4500 miles
(7200 km) after the
maintenance data has
been reset
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare tire provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to P.
● Stop the hybrid system.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
*: Jack handle, wheel nut wrench and towing eyelet
Jack
Spare tire
Tool bag*
Spare wheel
cushions
Luggage floor
cover

470 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Emergency start function (vehicles with a smart key system)When the hybrid system does not start, the following steps can be
used as an interim measure to start the hybrid system if the
“POWER” switch is functioning normally: Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake.
Turn the “POWER” switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Press 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. Have the vehicle inspected 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. 475)
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if
repair procedures are unknown.
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal,
there may be a problem with the shift lock system (a system to pre-
vent accidental operation of the shift lever). Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyo ta dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to
ensure that the shift lever can be shifted:
Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
Turn the “POWER” switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flat-
head screwdriver or equiva-
lent tool.
To prevent damage to the
cover, cover the tip of the
screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override
button.
The shift lever can be shifted
while the button is pressed.
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear to avoid striki ng other vehicles, objects or people. The
vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free.
Use extreme caution.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damage to the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and depressing the accelerator pedal more
than necessary.
● If the vehicle remains stuck even after these procedures are performed,
the vehicle may require towing to be freed.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Shift the shift lever to P and set the parking brake. Stop the
hybrid system.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the tires
to help provide traction.
Restart the hybrid system.
Shift the shift lever to the D or R position and carefully apply
the accelerator to free the vehicle.STEP1
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