2015 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
609
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
■
If “HYBRID SYSTEM OVERHEAT” is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display
Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Stop the hybrid system and carefully lift the hood.
After the hybrid system has
cooled down, inspect the hoses
and radiator core (radiator) for
any leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Toyota
dealer.
The coolant level is satisfactory if
it is between the “F” and “L” lines
on the reservoir.Reservoir
“F”
“L”
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

610 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if coolant is unavailable.
If water was added in an emer-
gency, have the vehicle inspected
at your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
After stopping the hybrid system and waiting for 5 minutes or
more, start the hybrid system again and check the multi-infor-
mation display.
If the message does not disappear:Stop the hybrid system and c ontact your Toyota dealer.
If the message is not displayed: The hybrid system temperature has dropped and the vehi-
cle may be driven normally.
However, if the message appears again frequently, contact your
Toyota dealer.
STEP 5
STEP 6

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
CAUTION
■
To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injuries such as burns.
● After the hybrid system has been turned off, check that the indicator on the
“POWER” switch and the “READY” indicator are off.
When the hybrid system is operating, the gasoline engine may automati-
cally start, or the cooling fans may suddenly operate even if the gasoline
engine stops. Do not touch or approach rotating parts such as the fans,
which may lead to fingers or clothing (especially a tie, a scarf or a muffler)
getting caught, resulting in serious injury.
● Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the hybrid system and radia-
tor are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.

612 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
NOTICE
■When adding engine/power control unit coolant
Wait until the hybrid system has cooled down before adding engine/power
control unit coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot hybrid sys-
tem too quickly can cause damage to the hybrid system.
■ To prevent damage to the cooling system
Observe the following precautions:
●Avoid contaminating the coolant with foreign matter (such as sand or dust
etc.).
● Do not use any coolant additives.

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When trouble arises
613
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear to avoid striki ng other vehicles, objects or people. The
vehicle may also lunge forward or lu nge back suddenly as it becomes free.
Use extreme caution.
■ When changing the shift position
Be careful not to change the shift position with the accelerator pedal
depressed.
Changing the shift position to any positions other than P or N may cause the
vehicle to accelerate abruptly, causing an accident and resulting in death or
serious injury.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Set the parking brake and shift the shift position to P. Stop
the hybrid system.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the tires
to help provide traction.
Restart the hybrid system.
Shift the shift position to D or R, release the parking brake
and carefully apply the accelerator to free the vehicle.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

614 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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.

5
When trouble arises
615
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following pro-
cedure:
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly
depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the
effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift position to N.
If the shift position is shifted to N After slowing down, stop the vehi cle in a safe place by the
road.
Stop the hybrid system.
If the shift position cannot be shifted to N Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce
vehicle speed as much as possible.
To stop the hybrid system,
press and hold the “POWER”
switch for 2 consecutive sec-
onds or more, or press it
briefly for 3 times or more in
succession.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 3
STEP 4
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more, or press briefly for 3 times or more
STEP 5

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CAUTION
■If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the steering will be lost, making the steering wheel heavier
to turn. Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the hybrid system.