Page 461 of 588
461
8When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 462
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ...................... 463
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ......................... 465
If you think something is wrong .......................... 472
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 473
If a warning message is displayed ..................... 482
If you have a flat tire.......... 497
If the hybrid system will not start ........................... 508
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............. 510
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(vehicles with a smart
key system) ..................... 511
If the vehicle 12-volt battery is discharged ....... 513
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 518
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................ 522
Page 463 of 588

4638-1. Essential information
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
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 lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the hybrid system.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle
speed as much as possible.
Vehicles without a smart key
system: Stop the hybrid system
by turning the engine switch to
the “ACC” position.
Vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem: To stop the hybrid system,
press and hold the “POWER”
switch for 2 consecutive sec-
onds or more, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
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, st op the vehicle using the follow-
ing procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
4
Press and hold for 2 seconds or
more, or press briefly 3 times or
more
4
5
Page 464 of 588
4648-1. Essential information
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
WARNING
■If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
● Power assist for the steering wheel will be lost, making the steering wheel
heavier to turn. Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the
hybrid system.
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Never attempt to remove the key, as
doing so will lock the steering wheel.
Page 469 of 588
4698-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Vehicles without a smart key system: Enter the vehicle being towed
and start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the engine switch to the “ON” posi-
tion.
Vehicles with a smart key system: 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 lever to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: P. 5 1 0
■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 in luggage compartment. ( P. 497)
7
8
Page 470 of 588

4708-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
WARNING
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 eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eye-
lets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit peo-
ple, and cause serious damage.
● Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or the “POWER” switch off (vehicles with a smart key
system).
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be oper-
ated.
■ 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 drivetrain and related
parts may be damaged or electricity gen-
erated by the operation of the motor may
cause a fire to occur depending on the
nature of the damage or malfunction.
Page 471 of 588

4718-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
●Vehicles without a smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the engine switch is in the “LOCK” position or the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● Vehicles with a smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the “POWER” switch off. The steering lock mechanism is not strong
enough to hold the front wheels straight.
● 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 damage to the vehicle wh en towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■ To prevent damage to the vehic le during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
Page 477 of 588

4778-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
*3: Driver's seat belt buzzer: Vehicles without a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds
to alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If
the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once.
If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound
intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the
buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to
alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the “POWER”
switch is turned to ON mode, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehi-
cle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the
seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermit-
tently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer
will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the\
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.
Page 479 of 588

4798-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)■
If the tire pressure warning system is not functioning
P. 433
■
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking
for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1
minute when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles
without a smart key system) or the “POWER” switch is turned to ON
mode (vehicles with a smart key system ), have it checked by your Toyota
dealer.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled. (Cus-
tomizable features P. 550) However, Toyota recommends that the seat belt
reminder buzzer be operational to alert the driver and front passenger when
seat belts are not fastened.
■ Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an
audio sound.
WARNING
■When the electric power steerin g system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
When steering wheel operations are heavier than usual, grip the steering
wheel firmly and operate it using more force than usual.
■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with th e spare tire and have the flat tire
repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.