2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PHV coolant

466 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Radiator and condenserCheck the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign
objects.
If either of the above parts is extr emely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor stra ight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.
CAUTION
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.

532
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High engine coolant temperatur e warning light flashes or
comes on
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

534 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Stop the vehicle immediately.The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
High coolant temperature warning light Indicates that the coolant temperature is too high
Changes from a flashing to a solid light when the engine
coolant temperature increases.

600
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
If your vehicle overheats
Correction procedures■ If the high coolant temperatur e warning light comes on or
flashes
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition-
ing system, and then stop the hybrid system.
If you see steam: Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam: Carefully lift the hood.
After the hybrid system has
cooled down sufficiently, inspect
the hoses and radiator core
(radiator) for any leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Toyota
dealer.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
●The high coolant temperature warning light ( P. 534) comes on
or flashes, or a loss of hybrid system power is experienced. (For
example, the vehicle s peed does not increase.)
● “HYBRID SYSTEM OVERHEAT” ( P. 552) is shown on the
multi-informat ion display.
● Steam comes out from under the hood.
1 ÉTAPE
2 ÉTAPE
STEP 3

5
When trouble arises
601
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
The coolant level is satisfactory if
it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW ” lines on the reservoir.
Reservoir
“FULL”
“LOW ”
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if coolant is unavailable.
Start the hybrid system and turn the air conditioning system
on to check that the radiator cooling fans operate and to
check for coolant leaks from the radiator or hoses.
The fans operate when the air conditioning system is turned on
immediately after a cold start. Confirm that the fans are operating by
checking the fan sound and air flow. If it is difficult to check these,
turn the air conditioning system on and off repeatedly.
(The fans may not operate in freezing temperatures.)
If the fans are not operating: Stop the hybrid system im mediately and contact your
Toyota dealer.
If the fans are operating: Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Toyota dealer.
ITO43P111
STEP 4
ITO52P130
STEP 5
6 ÉTAPE
STEP7

602 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■If “HYBRID SYSTEM OVERHEAT” is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display
Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Stop the hybrid system and carefully lift the hood.
After the hybrid system has
cooled down, inspect the hoses
and radiator core (radiator) for
any leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Toyota
dealer.
The coolant level is satisfactory if
it is between the “F” and “L” lines
on the reservoir.Reservoir
“F”
“L”
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

5
When trouble arises
603
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if coolant is unavailable.
Start the hybrid system and check for the multi-information
display.
If the message does not disappear:
Stop the hybrid system and c ontact your Toyota dealer.
If the message is not displayed: Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Toyota dealer.
STEP 5
STEP 6

604 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
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 injuries such as burns.
● Check that the indicator on the “POWER” switch and the “READY” indica-
tor are off.
● On hybrid vehicles, the gasoline engine may automatically start, or the
cooling fans may suddenly operate even if the gasoline engine stops. Do
not touch or approach rotating parts such as the fans, which may lead to
fingers or clothing (especially a tie, a scarf or a muffler) getting caught,
resulting in serious injury.
● Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the hybrid system and radia-
tor are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine/power control unit coolant
Wait until the hybrid system has cooled down before adding engine/power
control unit 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.
■ To prevent damage to the cooling system
Observe the following precautions:
● Avoid contaminating the coolant with foreign matter (such as sand or dust
etc.)
● Do not use commercially available coolant additives