Page 406 of 588

4067-2. Maintenance
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side whenthe brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints
(Adjustable type)• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Hybrid transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the parkingbrake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake lever operate nor-mally?
• When parked on a slope and the parking
brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.
ItemsCheck points
Page 409 of 588

409
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery condition (P. 424) • Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P. 421)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake
fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/power control
unit coolant level (P. 419)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar
high quality ethylene glycol based non-sili-
cate, non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid tech-
nology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level (P. 416)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 447)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs (P. 451)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as
original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and condenser
(P. 421)
Tire inflation pressure
( P. 437)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Page 422 of 588
4227-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Disconnect the claws and
remove the service cover.
Remove the reservoir cap.
Add brake fluid slowly while checking the fluid level.
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
2
3
WARNING
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean
water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serious problem.
4
Page 473 of 588
4738-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
If a warning light turns on or a warning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light in red (warning buzzer)*1
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Brake system warning light in yellow
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative brake system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Page 474 of 588

4748-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Charging system warning lightIndicates a malfunction in the vehicle's charging system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system; or
• The electronic throttle control system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)Parking brake warning light (warning buzzer)*2
Indicates that the parking brake is engaged
Release the parking brake.
Page 476 of 588

4768-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
*1: Brake system warning buzzer: When there is a possible problem that could affect braking performance,
the warning light will come on and a warning buzzer will sound.
*2: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer P. 200
(If equipped)
PCS warning light When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer sounds):
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision system)
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer does not
sound):
Indicates that the PCS (Pre-Collision system) is tempo-
rarily unavailable, possibly due to either of the following:
• The part of the windshield around the front sensor being dirty, fogged up or covered with condensation, ice, stick-
ers, etc.
Clear the dirt, fog, conden sation, ice, stickers, etc.
( P. 222)
• Front sensor temperature being outside of its opera-
tional range
Wait for a while until the area around the front sensor
has cooled down sufficiently.
When the warning light is illuminated:
Either the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system or PCS
(Pre-Collision system) is disabled or both are disabled.
To enable the PCS, enable both the VSC system and
PCS. ( P. 227, 262)
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( P. 478)
• Flat tire ( P. 497)
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
( P. 479)
Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
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.
Page 484 of 588

4848-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
(If equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The Automatic High Beam system (if equipped)
• The LED headlight system (if equipped)A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
(If equipped)
Indicates that:
• There is a high possibility of a frontal collision;
or
• The pre-collision braking function is operating A buzzer also sounds.
Check the vehicle's surroundings and take
evasive action if necessary.
(If equipped)
• Indicates a malfunction in the smart key system
• Indicates a malfunction in the steering lock sys-
tem
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
(If equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the cruise control sys-
tem
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
Indicates a malfunction in the Brake Override
System
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)