2012 TOYOTA PRIUS ECO mode

445
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drive train as well as
dangerous handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident
resulting in death
or serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different ma kes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.
●Do not mix differently constructed ti res (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not operate the tire pressure wa rning reset switch without first adjust-
ing the tire inflation pr essure to the specified level. Otherwise, the tire
pressure warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation pressure
is low, or it may come on when the ti re inflation pressure is actually nor-
mal.

5
When trouble arises
503
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking
for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1
minute when the “POWER” switch
is turned to ON mode, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.
■ Customization
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features P. 590) However, Toyota recommends that the
seat belt reminder buzzer be operational to alert the driver and front passen-
ger when seat belts are not fastened.
CAUTION
■ If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer. The vehicle will become extremely unstable during braking, and the
ABS system may fail, which could cause an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
■ When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold
firmly and operate using more force than usual.

512 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
(If equipped) • Indicates that the pre-collision
system is not currently func-
tional because the grille or the
sensor is dirty.
• This message also appears when the pre-collision system
is not functional due to over-
heating. • Check the grille
and the sensor and
clean them if they
are dirty.
• In case of over- heating, the system
will become func-
tional once the sys-
tem cools down.
(Flashes)
(If equipped) Indicates that the radar cruise
control sensor is dirty or cov-
ered with ice.
Clean the sensor.
(Flashes)
(If equipped) Indicates that the radar cruise
control system is unable to
judge vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance.
If the windshield
wipers are on, turn
them off or set
them to either the
intermittent or the
slow mode.

5
When trouble arises
515
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Warning messageDetailsCorrection
procedure
(Flashes) The hybrid battery (traction
battery) power has dropped
because a long period of time
has elapsed after shifting the
shift position to N.
A buzzer also sounds. Restart the hybrid
system when start-
ing the vehicle.
(Flashes) The transmission is out of P
when attempting to start the
hybrid system.
Shift the shift posi-
tion to P before
pressing the
“POWER” switch.
(Flashes) The driver’s door is opened
when the transmission is out of
P with the hybrid system on.
Shift the shift posi-
tion to P.
(Flashes) Indicates that the accelerator
pedal is depressed while the
shift position is in N.
A buzzer also sounds. Release the accel-
erator pedal and
shift the shift posi-
tion to D or R.
EV drive mode cannot be
switched to. A buzzer also sounds.
The reason why EV drive
mode cannot be used is
shown on the second line
(may not be shown in some
instances.) Use the EV drive
mode when it
becomes available.

516 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
(Flashes
3times) EV drive mode has been auto-
matically canceled.
A buzzer also sounds.
The reason why EV drive
mode cannot be used is
shown on the second line
(may not be shown in some
instances.) Drive normally for a
short time.
■ Approach warning message
In the following instances, there is the possibility that the approach warning
will not activate even when the vehicle-to-vehicle distance decreases.
●When your vehicle and the vehicle ahead are traveling at the same
speed or the vehicle ahead is traveling more quickly than your vehicle.
● When the vehicle ahead is traveling at very low speed.
● Immediately after cruise control speed is set.
● At the instant the accelerator pedal is depressed.

5
When trouble arises
517
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Have the malfunction repaired immediately.
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning message and light turn off.
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Once 
(Comes on for 15 seconds.)
(Flashes) The electronic
key is not
detected when
attempting to
start the hybrid
system.
Confirm
the loca-
tion of the
electronic
key.
Once 3 times (Flashes)An open door
other than the
driver’s door is
closed while the
electronic key is
outside the
detection range
and the
“POWER”
switch is in
ACCESSORY
or ON mode.
Confirm
the loca-
tion of the
electronic
key.

5
When trouble arises
521
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Interior
buzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Contin-
uous Contin-
uous
(Displayed alternately)(Flashes) An open door
other than the
driver’s door is
closed while the
electronic key is
outside the
detection range
and the
“POWER”
switch is in
ACCESSORY
or ON mode
with the shift
position not in P.
• Shift the
shift posi-
tion to P.
• Confirm the loca-
tion of the
electronic
key.
Once 
(Comes on for 15 seconds.)
The electronic
key battery is
low. Replace
the bat-
tery.
(
P. 454)
Once 
(Flashes)An open door
has been
closed and the
“POWER”
switch has been
turned twice to
the ACCES-
SORY mode
from OFF. Press the
“POWER”
switch
while
applying
the
brakes.

5
When trouble arises
539
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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.
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. 543)
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if
repair procedures are unknown.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3