2014 TOYOTA PRIUS C Owners Manual

486 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■12-volt battery precautions
The 12-volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte,
while related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following
precautions when handling the 12-volt battery:
●When working with the 12-volt battery, always wear safety glasses and
take care not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with
skin, clothing or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the 12-volt battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the 12-volt battery.
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
When connecting the jumper cables, ensure that they do not become entan-
gled in the cooling fan or belt.
■ Exclusive jump starting terminal
The exclusive jump starting terminal is to be used when charging the 12-volt
battery from another vehicle in an emergency. It cannot be used to jump start
another vehicle.

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When trouble arises
487
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
Correction procedures■ If is shown on the mu lti-information display
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 fan
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Toyota
dealer.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
● ( P. 448) is shown on the multi-information display.
● The hybrid system overheat warning message ( P. 452) is
shown on the multi-information display.
● Steam comes out from under the hood.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

488 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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 fan operates and to
check for coolant leaks from the radiator or hoses.
The fan operates when the air conditioning system is turned on
immediately after a cold start. Confirm that the fan is 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 fan may not operate in freezing temperatures.)
If the fan is not operating: Stop the hybrid system im mediately and contact your
Toyota dealer.
If the fan is operating: Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Toyota dealer.
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6
STEP7

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When trouble arises
489
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■
If the hybrid system overheat warning message is shown on
the multi-information 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 fan
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”
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if coolant is unavailable.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

490 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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.
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.
● After the hybrid system has been turned off, check that on the
multi-information display and the “READY” indicator are off.
When the hybrid system is operating, the gasoline engine may automati-
cally start, or the cooling fan may suddenly operate even if the gasoline
engine stops. Do not touch or approach rotating parts such as the fan,
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 radiator cap while the hybrid system and radiator are
hot.
Serious injuries, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
STEP6

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When trouble arises
491
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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 any coolant additive.

492
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or people. The
vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free.
Use extreme caution.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damage to the 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.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Shift the shift lever to P and set the parking brake. Stop the
hybrid system.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the tires
to help provide traction.
Restart the hybrid system.
Shift the shift lever to the D or R position and carefully apply
the accelerator to free the vehicle.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

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493
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following pro-
cedure:
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly
depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the
effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N After slowing down, stop the vehi cle in a safe place by the
road.
Stop the hybrid system.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce
vehicle speed as much as possible.
Vehicles without a smart key
system: Stop the hybrid sys-
tem by turning the engine
switch to the “ACC” position.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP3
STEP4