
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
Pictorial indexSearch by illustration
1For safety 
and securityMake sure to read through them
2Instrument 
clusterHow to read the gauges and meters, the variety of 
warning lights and indicators, etc.
3
Operation of 
each 
componentOpening and closing the doors and windows, 
adjustment before driving, etc.
4DrivingOperations and advices which are necessary for 
driving
5Audio systemOperating the audio system
6Interior featuresUsage of the interior features, etc.
7Maintenance 
and careCaring for your vehicle and maintenance 
procedures
8When trouble 
arisesWhat to do in case of malfunction or emergency
9Vehicle 
specificationsVehicle specifications, customizable features, etc.
10For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat 
belt and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian 
owners
IndexSearch by symptom
Search alphabetically 

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9 8 6 5
4
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PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
10
7
6-1.  Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning  system............................. 340
Seat heaters ...................... 348
6-2.  Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................ 349
• Interior lights ................. 350
• Personal lights .............. 350
6-3.  Using the storage  features
List of storage features...... 352
• Glove box...................... 353
• Console box .................. 353
• Auxiliary boxes.............. 354
• Cup holders .................. 355
• Bottle holders ................ 356
6-4.  Other interior features Other interior features ....... 357
• Sun visors ..................... 357
• Vanity mirrors................ 357
• Outside temperature display........................... 357
• Power outlet .................. 359
• Coat hooks.................... 360
• Assist grips ................... 361
• Luggage cover .............. 362 7-1.  Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 366
Cleaning and protecting  the vehicle interior ........... 369
7-2.  Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 372
General maintenance ........ 375
Emission inspection and  maintenance (I/M) 
programs ......................... 378
7-3.  Do-it-yourself  maintenance
Do-it-yourself service  precautions ...................... 379
Hood .................................. 382
Positioning a floor jack....... 384
Engine compartment ......... 385
12-volt battery .................... 394
Tires................................... 398
Tire inflation pressure ........ 406
Wheels............................... 409
Air conditioning filter .......... 411
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 413
Checking and replacing  fuses ................................ 416
Light bulbs ......................... 420
6Interior features7Maintenance and care 

TABLE OF CONTENTS6
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)8-1.  Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 430
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an 
emergency ...................... 431
8-2.  Steps to take in an  emergency
If your vehicle needs  to be towed ..................... 433
If you think something is  wrong .............................. 440
If a warning light turns  on or a warning 
buzzer sounds................. 441
If a warning message is  displayed ......................... 449
If you have a flat tire .......... 462
If the hybrid system will  not start ........................... 473
If the shift lever cannot  be shifted from P ............. 475
If the electronic key does  not operate properly ........ 476
If the vehicle 12-volt  battery is discharged ....... 478
If your vehicle overheats ... 483
If the vehicle becomes  stuck................................ 487 9-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .......... 490
Fuel information ................. 499
Tire information.................. 502
9-2.  Customization Customizable features ....... 514
Items to initialize ................ 519
Reporting safety defects  for U.S. owners ........................ 522
Seat belt instructions  for Canadian owners 
(in French)................................ 523
SRS airbag instructions  for Canadian owners 
(in French)................................ 525
8When trouble arises9Vehicle specifications
10For owners 

751-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)■
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehicle is able to
move with the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For safety, apply the parking
brake and make sure to shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) under the
rear seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Relay operating sounds such as a snap or soft clank will be emitted from the
hybrid battery (traction battery), under the rear seats, when the hybrid sys-
tem is started or stopped.
● Sounds from the hybrid system  may be heard when the back door is open.
● Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the gasoline engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is
depressed or as the accelerator pedal is released.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent on the side of the
lower part of the rear left seat.
■ Vehicle Proximity Notification System
In the following cases, the Vehicle Proximity Notification System sound may
be difficult for pedestrians, people riding  bicycles or other people and vehicles
in the surrounding area to hear:
● When there is a lot of noise in the vicinity 
● When it is raining or during strong winds
● When in the area surrounding the rear of  the vehicle, rather than in front of
the vehicle
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■ Customization that can be configured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e. g. the volume of Vehicle Proximity Notification System sound)
can be changed. (Customizable features:  P. 514) 

82
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
1-3. Theft deterrent system
Vehicles without a smart key system
The indicator light flashes after
the key has been removed from
the engine switch to indicate that
the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing
after the registered key has been
inserted into the engine switch to
indicate that the system has been
canceled.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The indicator light flashes after the “POWER” switch has been turned
off to indicate that the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing after the “POWER” switch has been
turned to ACCESSORY or ON mode to indicate that the system has
been canceled.
■ System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type immobilizer system.
■ Conditions affecting operation
Depending on the surrounding environment  and conditions, the immobilizer
system may not operate properly. This may prevent the hybrid system from
starting. ( P. 140)
Immobilizer system
The  vehicle’s  keys  have  built-in  transponder  chips  that  prevent
the hybrid system from starting if a key has not been previously
registered in the vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehi-
cle.
This  system  is  designed  to  help  prevent  vehicle  theft  but  does
not guarantee absolute security against all vehicle thefts.
: If equipped 

365
7Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)7-1.  Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 366
Cleaning and protecting  the vehicle interior ........... 369
7-2.  Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 372
General maintenance........ 375
Emission inspection and  maintenance (I/M) 
programs ......................... 378
7-3.  Do-it-yourself  maintenance
Do-it-yourself service  precautions ..................... 379
Hood ................................. 382
Positioning a floor jack ...... 384
Engine compartment ......... 385
12-volt battery ................... 394
Tires .................................. 398
Tire inflation pressure ....... 406
Wheels .............................. 409
Air conditioning filter.......... 411
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 413
Checking and replacing  fuses ............................... 416
Light bulbs......................... 420 

366
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
7-1. Maintenance and care
●Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
● Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly
with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors before washing the vehi cle. Start washing from the front of
the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors before driving.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle's paint.
● In certain automatic car washes, the rear spoiler may interfere with machine
operation. This may prevent the vehicle from being cleaned properly or
result in damage to the rear spoiler.
■ High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of
the windows.
● Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is
closed properly.
■ When using a car wash (vehicles with a smart key system)
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effective
range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the fol-
lowing correction procedures to wash the vehicle:
●Place the electronic key in a location 6 f t. (2 m) or more away from the vehi-
cle. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
● Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart key sys-
tem. ( P. 139)
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
Perform  the  following  to  protect  the  vehicle  and  maintain  it  in
prime condition: 

3677-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)■
Aluminum wheels (if equipped)
●Remove any dirt immediately by us ing a neutral detergent. Do not use hard
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical clean-
ers. 
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
● Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
● Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■ Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
WARNING
■When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
■ Precautions regarding the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has
cooled sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.
NOTICE
■To  prevent  paint  deterioration  and  corrosion  on  the  body  and  compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or  bird droppings are present on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush. 
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights. 
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.