2013 TOYOTA PRIUS towing

494 5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
Towing with a sling-type truckDo not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truckFrom the front Release the parking brake.
From the rear Use a towing dolly under the
front wheels.

5
When trouble arises
495
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
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. 530
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

496 5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
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
When trouble arises
497
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
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.

530
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift position to P.
● Stop the hybrid system.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
*: The shape may differ depending on the grade, etc.
Center deck board*
Wheel nut wrench
Jack handle
Spare tire Towing
eyelet
Jack
Center
auxiliary box
*

538 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
Stowing the flat tireFor vehicles with a 17-inch
wheel: Before stowing the flat
tire, remove the center wheel
ornament by pushing from the
reverse side.
Place the flat tire on the deck
board, and pass the belt through
the lower-right cargo hook and
then through the hole in the cen-
ter of the tire.
Pass the belt through the lower-
left cargo hook.
ITO52P123
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

5
When trouble arises
543
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
CAUTION
■Replacing a flat tire
●Do not touch the disc wheels or the area around the brakes immedi-
ately after the vehicle has been driven.
After the vehicle has been driven the disc wheels and the area around
the brakes will be extremely hot.
Touching these areas with hands, feet
or other body parts while changing a tire, etc. may result in burns.
●Failure to follow these precautions could cause the wheel nuts to
loosen and the tire to fall off, resulting in death or serious injury.
• Have the wheel nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m) as soon as possible after changing wheels.
• When installing a tire, only use wheel nuts that have been specifi- cally designed for that wheel.
• If there are any cracks or deformations in the bolt screws, nut threads or bolt holes of the wh eel, have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer.
• When installing the wheel nuts, be sure to install the wheel nuts with the tapered en d facing inward. (P. 458)
■After using the tools and jack
Before driving, make sure all the tools and jack are securely in place in
their storage location to reduce the po ssibility of personal injury during a
collision or sudden braking.
■When stowing the flat tire
●Make sure the rear seatbacks are in their original position.
●Secure it using a tire tie-down belt. Otherwise, the flat tire may fly out
in case of sudden braking or an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.

562 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47791U_(U)
NOTICE
■To avoid damage to the hybrid transmission and other components
● Avoid spinning the wheels and depressing the accelerator pedal more
than necessary.
● If the vehicle remains stuck even after these procedures are performed,
the vehicle may require towing to be freed.