2013 TOYOTA PRIUS Battery

5
When trouble arises
491
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your hybrid transmission.
Contact your Toyota dealer before towing.
● The hybrid system is operating but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If there is a malfunction in the P position control system, the smart
key system or the immobilizer system , or if the 12-volt battery is dis-
charged, the vehicle cannot be tow ed with the front wheels on the
ground, as the front wheels may be locked. In this case, transport the
vehicle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
■
Electric power steering system wa rning light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage tempo-
rarily drops, the electric power steering system warning light may come on
and the warning buzzer may sound.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off after several driving trips.
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off even after several trips, con-
tact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
Pushing the tire pressure warning re set switch will not turn off the tire
pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks and tire inflat ion pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will
not turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare
tire. Replace the spare tire with the re paired tire and adjust the tire infla-
tion pressure. The tire pressure wa rning light will go off after a few min-
utes.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Have the vehicle inspected 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 your Toyota dealer immediately.
Warning messageDetails
(If equipped) Indicates a malfunction in the LED headlight system.
Indicates a malfunction in the P position control sys-
tem.
In this situation, there is a possibility that the parking
lock mechanism will not work.
When parking, park the vehicle on a flat surface and
apply the parking brake securely. Also, it may not be
possible to turn the “POWER” switch off. If this hap-
pens, applying the parking brake will enable the
switch to be turned off.
Indicates that the cooling performance of the hybrid
battery is low.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Warning messageDetailsCorrection
procedure
(Flashes) The hybrid battery (traction
battery) is low.
A buzzer also sounds. When stopping the
vehicle for a long
period of time, shift
the shift position to
P. The hybrid bat-
tery (traction bat-
tery) cannot be
charged with the
shift position in N.
(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 shift position is in N,
D or B 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.

528 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Contin-
uous Contin-
uous
(Displayed alternately) (Flashes) The driver’s
door is opened
and closed
while the elec-
tronic key is out-
side 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. 460)
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.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Interior
buzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Once 
(Flashes)The elec-
tronic key
does not
operate
properly.
P. 548
 Power
was
turned off
due to
the auto-
matic
power off
function.Next time when
starting the
hybrid system,
increase the
engine speed
slightly and
maintain that
level for approxi-
mately 5 min-
utes to recharge
the battery.
NOTICE
■
While the engine oil level warning is displayed
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will damage the engine.
■ Engine oil maintenance message
The warning message is based on the projected driving range after engine
oil maintenance message is reset.
The system does not monitor the purity of the engine oil.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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If the hybrid system will not start
Reasons for the hybrid system not starting vary depending on the
situation. Check the following a nd perform the appropriate proce-
dure:
■ The hybrid system will not start even though the correct
starting procedure is being followed ( P. 194)
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● The electronic key may not be functioning properly.
*
(  P. 548)
● There may not be sufficient fuel in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle.
● There may be a malfunction in the immobilizer system.
*
(  P. 138)
● There may be a malfunction in the P position control system.
*
( P. 199, 515)
*: It may not be possible to shift the shift position from P to other posi-
tion.
■ The interior lights and headlight s are dim, or the horn does
not sound or sounds at a low volume
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● The 12-volt battery may be discharged. ( P. 550)
● The 12-volt battery terminal c onnections may be loose or cor-
roded.

546 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Emergency start functionWhen 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: 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. 550)
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if
repair procedures are unknown.
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