2015 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Owners Manual

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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.

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Towing with a sling-type truckDo not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truckFrom the front Release the parking brake.
From the rear Use a towing dolly under the
front wheels.

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Using a flatbed truck
If your Toyota is transported by a
flatbed truck, it should be tied
down at the locations shown in
the illustration.
If you use chains or cables 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
damaged.

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Emergency towingIf 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.
Emergency towing procedure
Take out the towing eyelet. ( P. 574)
Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by
hand.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

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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.
STEP 4
■ 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 under the left front seat. ( P. 454)
STEP 5
STEP 6
STEP7

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CAUTION
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 eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing.
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 driv-
etrain and related parts may be damaged
or electricity generated by the operation
of the motor may cause a fire to occur
depending on the nature of the damage
or malfunction.

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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.

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If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High engine coolant temperatur e warning light flashes or
comes on
■ Audible symptoms
●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
■ Operational symptoms
●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, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor