2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PHV ECO mode

484 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
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 makes, 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 tire inflation pressure is actually nor-
mal.

542 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■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. 639) 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 steerin g 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.

5
When trouble arises
551
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
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.

554 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
*1: For EV mode operating conditions, see P. 40.
*2: If EV mode has been canceled because of insufficient hybrid battery (trac-tion battery) charge, a warning message will not be shown on the multi-
information display and the buzzer will not sound.
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
(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.
(Flashes) The accelerator pedal is
depressed to stop the vehicle
on an upward slope etc.
A buzzer also sounds.
If this continues, the hybrid
system may overheat. Release the accel-
erator pedal and
depress the brake
pedal.
EV mode cannot be switched
to.
*1
A buzzer also sounds.
The reason why EV mode
cannot be used is shown
(may not be shown in some
instances.) Use the EV mode
when it becomes
available.
*2
(Flashes
3 times)EV mode has been automati-
cally canceled.
*1
A buzzer also sounds.*2
The reason why EV mode
cannot be used is shown.
Use EV mode after
making it avail-
able, for example
by lowering the set
temperature of the
heater.

556 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Have the malfunction repaired immediately.After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning message and light turn off.
Interior buzzerExterior 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.

560 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
InteriorbuzzerExterior 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. 493)
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
589
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
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. 594)
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if
repair procedures are unknown.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

5
When trouble arises
593
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■
Stopping the hybrid system
Set the parking brake, shift the shift position to P and press the “POWER”
switch as you normally do when stopping the hybrid system.
■ Replacing the key battery
As the above procedure is a temporary measure, it is recommended that the
electronic key battery be replaced immediately when the battery is depleted.
(P. 493)
■ Changing “POWER” switch modes
Within 10 seconds of the buzzer sounding, release the brake pedal and
press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system does not start and modes will be changed each time the
switch is pressed. ( P. 240)