2015 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID battery

5
When trouble arises
529
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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. 552)
● There is a malfunction in the immobilizer system. ( P. 183)
● There is a malfunction in the smart key system. ( P. 599)
● The 12-volt battery is discharged. ( P. 601)
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.

544 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
■Electric power steering system wa rning 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 reset 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).

554 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Warning messageDetails
Hybrid battery (traction battery) inspection or replace-
ment time. Have the hybrid battery (traction battery) inspected
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Hybrid system restarting will soon be disabled. A buzzer also sounds.
If you continue to use the vehicle in this state, you
will soon become unable to restart the hybrid sys-
tem. Have the hybrid battery (traction battery)
inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Indicates that restarting of the hybrid system is not
possible. Contact your Toyota dealer immediately.

558 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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
561
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Other displayed messages
Carrying out the corresponding action turns the message off.
*1: For EV mode operating conditions, see P. 40.
*2: If EV mode has been canceled because of insufficient hybrid battery (trac- tion battery) charge, a warning message will not be shown on the multi-
information display and the buzzer will not sound.
Displayed messageDetailsCorrection procedure
EV mode cannot be switched
to.
*1
A buzzer also sounds.
The reason why EV mode
cannot be used is shown
(may not be shown in some
instances.) Use the EV mode
when it becomes
available.
*2
(Flashes
3 times)EV mode has been automati-
cally canceled.
*1
A buzzer also sounds.*2
The reason why EV mode
cannot be used is shown.
Use EV mode after
making it avail-
able, for example
by lowering the set
temperature of the
heater.

562 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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
567
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
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. 497)

568 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
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.
Once 
(Flashes)The electronic
key does not
operate prop-
erly.
P. 599
 Power was
turned off due to
the automatic
power off func-
tion.Next time
when
starting
the hybrid
system,
operate
the hybrid
system for
approxi-
mately 5
minutes to
recharge
the 12-volt
battery.