2015 TOYOTA PRIUS battery

5
When trouble arises
495
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_OM_OM47A17U_DVD_(U)
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Situations when it is not possible to be towed by another vehicle
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 your Toyota dealer or a commercial
towing service.
● There is a malfunction in the shift control system. ( P. 519)
● There is a malfunction in the immobilizer system. ( P. 137)
● There is a malfunction in the smart key system. ( P. 553)
● The 12-volt battery is discharged. ( P. 555)
Situations needs to contact dealers before towing
The following may indicate a problem with your hybrid transmission.
Contact your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before tow-
ing.
● The “CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM” warning message appears 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
your Toyota dealer or commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.

5
When trouble arises
511
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage tempo-
rarily drops, the electric power steering system warning light may come on
and the warning buzzer may sound.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off after several driving trips.
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off even after several trips, con-
tact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
Pushing the tire pressure warning re set switch will not turn off the tire
pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks and tire inflat ion pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will
not turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare
tire. Replace the spare tire with the re paired tire and adjust the tire infla-
tion pressure. The tire pressure wa rning light will go off after a few min-
utes.

526 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47A17U_DVD_(U)
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
(Flashes) The hybrid battery (traction
battery) is low.
A buzzer also sounds. When stopping the
vehicle for a long
period of time, shift
the shift position to
P. The hybrid bat-
tery (traction bat-
tery) cannot be
charged with the
shift position in N.
(Flashes) The hybrid battery (traction
battery) power has dropped
because a long period of time
has elapsed after shifting the
shift position to N.
A buzzer also sounds. Restart the hybrid
system when start-
ing the vehicle.
(Flashes) The transmission is out of P
when attempting to start the
hybrid system.
Shift the shift posi-
tion to P before
pressing the
“POWER” switch.
(Flashes) The driver’s door is opened
when the shift position is in N,
D or B with the hybrid system
on.
Shift the shift posi-
tion to P.

5
When trouble arises
529
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Other displayed messages
Carrying out the corresponding action turns the message off.
Displayed messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Maintenance of the hybrid sys-
tem (traction battery) cooling
component is required The filter may be clogged, the
air vent may be blocked or
there may be a gap in the
duct. Have maintenance
performed on the
hybrid system
(traction battery)
cooling component
at your Toyota
dealer.
EV drive mode cannot be
switched to. A buzzer also sounds.
The reason why EV drive
mode cannot be used is
shown (may not be shown in
some instances.) Use the EV drive
mode when it
becomes available.
(Flashes
3times) EV drive mode has been auto-
matically canceled.
A buzzer also sounds.
The reason why EV drive
mode cannot be used is
shown (may not be shown in
some instances.) Drive normally for a
short time.

530 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47A17U_DVD_(U)
Have the malfunction repaired immediately.If any of the following warnings is displayed when a hybrid system
start operation is performed, perform the appropriate action accord-
ing to the warning message display.
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Indicates an insufficient 12-volt
battery charge. A buzzer also sounds.
• The parking lock mechanism may not function.
• The hybrid system may not be able to start.
• It may not be possible to turn the “POWER” switch off.
If this happens, applying the
parking brake will enable the
switch to be turned off. When parking, park
the vehicle on a flat
surface and apply
the parking brake
securely.
Charge or replace
the 12-volt battery.
After charging the
12-volt battery, the
message may con-
tinue to be dis-
played until the
shift position is
changed from P.

5
When trouble arises
535
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Interior
buzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Contin-
uous Contin-
uous
(Displayed alternately)(Flashes) The driver’s
door is opened
and closed
while the elec-
tronic key is out-
side the
detection range
and the
“POWER”
switch is in
ACCESSORY
or ON mode
with the shift
position not in P.
• Shift the
shift posi-
tion to P.
• Confirm the loca-
tion of the
electronic
key.
Once 
(Comes on for 15 seconds.)
The electronic
key battery is
low. Replace
the bat-
tery.
(
P. 464)
Once 
(Flashes)An open door
has been
closed and the
“POWER”
switch has been
turned twice to
the ACCES-
SORY mode
from OFF. Press the
“POWER”
switch
while
applying
the
brakes.

536 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47A17U_DVD_(U)
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Once 
(Flashes)The elec-
tronic key
does not
operate
properly.
P. 553
 Power
was
turned off
due to
the auto-
matic
power off
function.Next time when
starting the
hybrid system,
operate the
hybrid system
for approxi-
mately 5 minutes
to recharge the
12-volt battery.
NOTICE
■
While the engine oil level warning is displayed
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will damage the engine.
■ Engine oil maintenance message
The warning message is based on the projected driving range after engine
oil maintenance message is reset.
The system does not monitor the purity of the engine oil.

550
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47A17U_DVD_(U)
If the hybrid system will not start
Reasons for the hybrid system not starting vary depending on the
situation. Check the following a nd perform the appropriate proce-
dure:
■ The hybrid system will not start even though the correct
starting procedure is being followed ( P. 195)
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● The electronic key may not be functioning properly.
*
(  P. 553)
● There may not be sufficient fuel in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle. ( P. 4 0 )
● There may be a malfunction in the immobilizer system.
*
(  P. 137)
● There may be a malfunction in the shift control system.
*
(  P. 200, 519)
*: It may not be possible to shift the shift position from P to other posi-
tion.
■ The interior lights and headlights are dim, or the horn does
not sound or sounds at a low volume
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
●The 12-volt battery may be discharged. ( P. 555)
● The 12-volt battery terminal c onnections may be loose or cor-
roded.