Page 442 of 568

442 5-1. Essential information
PRIUS v_OM_OM47840U_(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.
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.
Page 462 of 568
462
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47840U_(U)
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare tire 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
Center auxiliary
boxes
Jack Spa r e t ire
Jack handle
Towing eyelet Wheel nut
wrench
Left side
deck board
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5
When trouble arises
463
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47840U_(U)
Taking out the jack
Open the deck board and move
it toward the front of the vehicle.
Remove the left side deck board
and then remove the center aux-
iliary boxes.
Take out the jack.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Page 469 of 568
5
When trouble arises
469
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47840U_(U)
Firmly tighten each wheel nut
two or three times in the order
shown in the illustration.
Tightening torque:
76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)
For vehicles with 16 inch wheels,
reinstall the wheel ornament.
*
Align the cutout of the wheel
ornament with the valve stem
as shown.
*: The wheel ornament cannot
be installed on the compact
spare tire.
Stow the flat tire, tire jack and all tools.
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6
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470 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47840U_(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.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Page 474 of 568

474 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47840U_(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 wheel, have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer.
• When installing the wheel nuts, be sure to install the wheel nuts
with the tapered ends facing inward. ( P. 403)
■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 a ccident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
Page 484 of 568

484 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47840U_(U)
■Starting the hybrid system when the 12-volt battery is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started by push-starting.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the hybrid system is
off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is run-
ning at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic.
■ When the 12-volt battery is removed or discharged
●The hybrid system may not start. ( P. 386)
● If the 12-volt battery is depleted with the shift position in P, it will not be
possible to shift the shift position other than P. In this case, the vehicle
cannot be towed without lifting both front wheels because the front
wheels are locked by the parking lock. ( P. 437)
● When the 12-volt battery is reconnected, start the hybrid system, depress
the brake pedal, and confirm that it is possible to shift into each shift posi-
tion.
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
The electricity stored in the 12-volt battery will discharge gradually even
when the vehicle is not in use, due to natural discharge and the draining
effects of certain electrical appliances. If the vehicle is left for a long time, the
12-volt battery may discharge, and the hybrid system may be unable to start.
(The 12-volt battery recharges automatically while the hybrid system is oper-
ating.)
Page 492 of 568
492 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47840U_(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.