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3697-1. Essential information
PRIUS +_OM_OM47888E_(EE)
7
When trouble arises
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency
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 position to N.
XIf the shift position is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the hybrid system.
XIf the shift position cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle
speed as much as possible.
To stop the hybrid system,
press and hold the power
switch for 2 consecutive sec-
onds or more, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop
the vehicle in the normal way, stop the vehicle using the follow-
ing procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more,
or press briefly 3 times or more
4
WARNING
■ If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the steering wheel will be lost, making the steering wheel
heavier to turn. Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the hybrid
system.
5
Page 370 of 496

3707-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47888E_(EE)
If your vehicle needs to be towed
In the following situations, it is not possible to be towed by another
vehicle using cables or chains, as the front wheels may be locked due
to the parking lock. Contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped professional or commercial
towing service.
●There is a malfunction in the shift control system. ( →P. 378, 390)
● There is a malfunction in the immobilizer system. ( →P. 9 1 )
● There is a malfunction in the smart entry & start system. ( →P. 437)
● The 12-volt battery is discharged. ( →P. 439)
The following may indicate a problem with your hybrid transmission.
Contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional or commercial towing service
before towing.
● The hybrid system warning light turns on or the hybrid system
warning message is displayed on the multi-information display and
the vehicle does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle
towed by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional or commercial towing
service, using a lift-type truck or flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
Situations when it is not possible to be towed by another vehicle
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Page 371 of 496
3717-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47888E_(EE)
7
When trouble arises
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
XFrom the front XFrom the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
Page 372 of 496
3727-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47888E_(EE)
If your Toyota is transported by a
flat bed truck, it should be tied
down at the locations shown in the
illustration.
If you use cables or chains 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 dam-
aged.
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for short distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Using a flat bed truck
Emergency towing
Page 373 of 496
3737-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47888E_(EE)
7
When trouble arises
Take out the towing eyelet. (→P. 405, 419)
Remove the eyelet cover using
a flathead screwdriver.
To prevent damage, cover the tip of
the screwdriver with a rag.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by
hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut
wrench or hard metal bar.
Securely attach a cable or chain to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the power switch to ON mode.
Shift the shift position to N and release the parking brake.
Emergency towing procedure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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3747-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47888E_(EE)
■While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■ Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage compartment. ( →P. 405, 419)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When towing the vehicle
■ While towing
●When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelet, cables or chains. The towing eyelet,
cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit people and
cause serious damage.
● Do not turn the power switch off.
This may lead to an accident as the front wheels will be locked by the
parking lock.
■ Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelet is installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing ey elet may come loose during towing.
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
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 body damage when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the
front wheels raised or with all four wheels
raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the front wheels contacting
the ground, the drivetrain and related
parts may be damaged or electricity gen-
erated by the operation of the motor may
cause a fire to occur depending on the
nature of the damage or malfunction.
Page 375 of 496

3757-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47888E_(EE)
7
When trouble arises
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High coolant temperature warning light flashes or comes on
● 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
● 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
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle proba-
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional as soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
Page 376 of 496

3767-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47888E_(EE)
If a war ning light tur ns on or a warning
buzzer sounds
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.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Brake system warning light and warning buzzer (red
indicator)
*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
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.
Brake system warning light (yellow indicator) Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative braking system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
Charging system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.