2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS Owners Manual

5
465 5-1. Essential information
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Using a flat bed truck
If 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
Turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode.
Do not turn the “POWER” switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Shift the shift position to N.
Release the parking brake.
Emergency towing eyelet location
P. 482, 494
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

466 5-1. Essential information
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
Caution while towing
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains. Always
be cautious of the surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
Do not turn the “POWER” switch off.
This may lead to an accident as the front wheels will be locked by the
parking lock.
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will
not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing. This
may lead to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.

5
467 5-1. Essential information
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
NOTICE
To prevent damaging the vehicle
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
To prevent causing serious damage to the hybrid transmission when
towing using a wheel-lift type truck
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
To prevent body damage when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
To prevent causing serious damage to the hybrid transmission in
emergency towing
Never tow a vehicle from the rear with four wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to the hybrid transmission.

468
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
High engine coolant temperature 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, spongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

5
469
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light tur ns on or a warning 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 any
authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional.
*1: 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.
*2: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately 5 km/h
(3 mph) or more.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Brake system warning light and warning buzzer (red
indicator)
*1, 2
• 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 actions 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 occur, have the vehicle inspected by
any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional.

470 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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 any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Low engine oil pressure warning light
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
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.
Hybrid system warning light (warning buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the hybrid system

5
471 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped professional immediately.
Failure to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional immedi-
ately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system; or
• The electronic throttle control system
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The seat belt pretensioner system
ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
Electric power steering system warning light (warn-
ing buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS system

472 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(Flashes)
(If equipped)Pre-crash safety system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the pre-crash safety system
The warning light will operate as follows, even when the
system is not malfunctioning:
• The light will flash quickly when the system is operating.
(P. 307)
• The light will turn on when the pre-crash braking is dis-
abled. (P. 308)
• The light will turn on when the system cannot temporar-
ily be used. (P. 476)
(Turns on)Slip indicator light
Indicates a malfunction in:
•VSC;
• TRC; or
• Hill-start assist control
Flashes when the above systems and/or ABS are oper-
ating. (P. 300)
Brake system warning light (yellow indicator)
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative braking system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system