Page 565 of 728

525
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Replacing light bulbs
●Be sure to stop the hybrid system and turn off the lights. Do not attempt to
replace the bulb immediately after turning off the lights. 
The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.
●Do not touch the glass portion of the light bulb with bare hands. When it is
unavoidable to hold the glass portion, use and hold with a clean dry cloth
to avoid getting moisture and oils on the bulb.
Also, if the bulb is scratched or dropped, it may blow out or crack.
●Fully install light bulbs and any parts used to secure them. Failure to do so
may  result  in  heat  damage,  fire,  or  water  entering  the  headlight  unit. This
may damage the headlights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.
●Do  not  attempt  to  repair  or  disassemble  light  bulbs,  connectors,  electric
circuits or component parts. 
Doing so may result in death or serious injury due to electric shock.
■To   p r e v e n t   d a m a g e   o r   f i r e  
Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked.  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 568 of 728

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. ( oP.   5 5 2 )
●There is a malfunction in the immobilizer system. ( oP.   1 8 3 )
●There is a malfunction in the smart key system. ( oP.   5 9 9 )
●The 12-volt battery is discharged. ( oP.   6 0 1 )
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  commercial  towing  service,  using  a  lift-type
truck or flat bed truck.
Use  a  safety  chain  system  for  all  towing,  and  abide  by  all  state/pro-
vincial and local laws. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 573 of 728

534
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
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. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 590 of 728
5
When trouble arises
551
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Stop the vehicle immediately.
A buzzer sounds and a warning message is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display. The following warnings indicate the possibility of dam-
age to the vehicle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the
vehicle in a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Warning messageDetails
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Indicates an abnormal engine oil pressure.
The warning light may turn on if the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
Indicates a malfunction in the hybrid system.
In this situation, there is a possibility that the parking 
lock mechanism will not work.
When parking, park the vehicle on a flat surface and 
apply the parking brake securely. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 591 of 728

552
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Have the vehicle inspected immediately.
Failure to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the  system  operating  abnormally and  possibly  cause  an  accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Warning messageDetails
Indicates a malfunction in the shift control system.
In this situation, there is a possibility that the parking 
lock mechanism will not work. 
When parking, park the vehicle on a flat surface and 
apply the parking brake securely. Also, it may not be 
possible to turn the “POWER” switch off. If this hap-
pens, applying the parking brake will enable the 
switch to be turned off.
Indicates a malfunction in the shift control system.
A buzzer also sounds.
•The parking lock mechanism may not function. 
When parking, park the vehicle on a flat surface and 
apply the parking brake securely.
•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.
Indicates a malfunction in the shift control system.
A buzzer also sounds. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 601 of 728
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. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 604 of 728
5
When trouble arises
565
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Interior
buzzer
Exterior
buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection 
procedure
OnceContin-
uous
(Displayed alternately)
(Flashes)
The electronic 
key has been 
taken outside 
the vehicle and 
the doors have 
been locked 
without first 
turning the 
“POWER” 
switch to OFF. 
(vehicles with 
entry function)
Turn the 
“POWER” 
switch to 
OFF and 
lock the 
doors 
again. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 605 of 728
566
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Interior
buzzer
Exterior
buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection 
procedure
OnceContin-
uous
(Flashes)
An attempt to 
lock the doors 
has been made 
using the smart 
key system 
while the elec-
tronic key is 
inside the vehi-
cle. (vehicles 
with entry func-
tion)
Ta k e   t h e  
electronic 
key out-
side the 
vehicle, 
and lock 
the doors 
again.
With the key 
inside the vehi-
cle, a front door 
has been 
opened, the 
lock lever has 
been pulled in 
the lock direc-
tion, the door 
has been 
closed and an 
attempt has 
been made to 
lock the door.