2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C Owners Manual

4257-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)■
Exterior
Make sure that the 12-volt battery terminals are not corroded and
that there are no loose connecti
ons, cracks, or loose clamps.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■Installing the 12-volt battery cover Install the 12-volt battery
cover.Guides
Clips
Check if the clips and guides
on the back of the cover are
engaging properly if the cover
cannot be installed.
Install the 2 clips.Push out the center part of
the clips
Insert the clips
Push in the center part of
the clips
■Before recharging
When recharging, the 12-volt battery produces hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Therefore, observe the following precautions before
recharging:
●If recharging with the 12-volt battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to dis-
connect the ground cable.
● Make sure the “POWER” switch on the charger is off when connecting and
disconnecting the charger cables to the 12-volt battery.
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4267-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)■
When disconnecting the 12- volt battery terminals
Always disconnect the negative (-) terminal first.
■ After recharging/reconnecting the 12-vo lt battery (vehicles with a smart
key system)
● Unlocking the doors using the smart key system may not be possible imme-
diately after reconnecting the 12-volt battery. If this happens, use the wire-
less remote control or the mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors.
● Start the hybrid system with the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY mode.
The hybrid system may not start with the “POWER” switch turned off. How-
ever, the hybrid system will operat e normally from the second attempt.
● The “POWER” switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the 12-volt battery
is reconnected, the vehicle will return the “POWER” switch mode to the sta-
tus it was in before the 12-volt battery was disconnected. Make sure to turn
off the power before disconnect the 12-volt battery. Take extra care when
connecting the 12-volt battery if the “POWER” switch mode prior to dis-
charge is unknown.
If the system will not start even after multiple attempts, contact your Toyota
dealer.
WARNING
■ Chemicals in the 12-volt battery
The 12-volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may
produce hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk
of death or serious injury, take the following precautions while working on or
near the 12-volt battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the 12-volt battery terminals with tools.
● Do not smoke or light a match near the 12-volt battery.
● Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
● Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
● Wear protective safety glasses when working near the 12-volt battery.
● Keep children away from the 12-volt battery.
■ Where to safely charge the 12-volt battery
Always charge the 12-volt battery in an open area. Do not charge the 12-
volt battery in a garage or closed room where there is insufficient ventila-
tion.
■ When disconnecting the 12- volt battery terminals
Always disconnect the negative (-) terminal first. If the positive (+) terminal
is disconnected first and touches a surrounding metal surface it may cause
sparks resulting in a fire or it may result in an electric shock, death or seri-
ous injury.
■ How to recharge th e 12-volt battery
Only perform a slow charge (3.5 A or less). The 12-volt battery may explode
if charged at a quicker rate.

4277-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
WARNING
■Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immedi-
ate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or
cloth while traveling to the nearest medical facility.
● If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical
attention immediately.
● If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the cloth-
ing and follow the procedure above if necessary.
● If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention
immediately.
■ When replacing the 12-volt battery
Use a 12-volt battery designed for this vehicle. Failure to do so may cause
gas (hydrogen) to enter the passenger compartment, causing a fire or
explosion.
For replacement of the 12-volt battery, contact your Toyota dealer.
NOTICE
■When recharging the 12-volt battery
Never recharge the 12-volt battery while the hybrid system is operating.
Also, be sure all accessories are turned off.

4287-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Check if the treadwear indicators are showing on the tires. Also check
the tires for uneven wear, such as excessive wear on one side of the
tread.
Check the spare tire condition and pressure if not rotated.
New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator
The location of treadwear indicators is shown by a “TWI” or “ ” mark,
etc., molded into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and extend
tire life, Toyota recommends that
tire rotation is carried out at the
same interval as tire inspection.
Do not fail to initialize the tire
pressure warning system after
tire rotation.
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in acco rdance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
Checking tires
Tire rotation
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Front

4297-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and tr ansmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise.
If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the driver is
warned by a warning light. ( P. 476)
◆Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new ID codes must be registered in the tire pressure
warning computer and the tire pr essure warning system must be
initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID
codes registered by your Toyota dealer. ( P. 430)
◆Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the fol-
lowing circumstances:
● When rotating front and rear tires which have different tire infla-
tion pressures
● When changing the tire size
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
■How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the engine switch (vehi-
cles without a smart key system) or the “POWER” switch (vehi-
cles with a smart key system) off.
Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. ( P. 533)
Make sure to adjust the tire pressu re to the specified cold tire infla-
tion pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate
based on this pressure level.
Turn the engine switch to the “ON” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or “POWER” switch to ON mode (vehicles
with a smart key system).
Tire pressure warning system
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4307-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Press and hold the tire pres-
sure warning reset switch
until the tire pressure warn-
ing light blinks slowly 3 times.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Wait for a few minutes with
the engine switch in the “ON” position and then turn the engine
switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Wait for a few minutes with the
“POWER” switch in ON mode and then turn the “POWER” switch
off.
◆Registering ID codes
The tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a
unique ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, it is necessary to register the ID code. Have the ID code
registered by your Toyota dealer.
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4317-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
■When to replace your vehicle's tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to
expose the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size
or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your Toyota dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not reg-
istered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driv-
ing for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1
minute and stays on to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even
if it has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation
pressure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of
your routine of daily vehicle checks.
■Low profile tires (vehicle s with P195/50R16 tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear mo re rapidly and tire grip perfor-
mance will be reduced on snowy and /or icy roads when compared to
standard tires. Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or
icy roads and drive carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather
conditions.

4327-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)■
Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the re
placement tire is greater than 1/2
of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the
rear axle, whichever is greater.
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy ro ads. For driving on snow-covered
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When install-
ing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to
be adequate for driving in most winter conditions as well as for use
year-round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all
season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance com-
pared with summer tires in highway driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, con-
struction and load capacity as the or iginally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations fo r possible restrictions. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( P. 270)
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tire s as snow tires is lost.
For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the tire,
see the load limit at maximum cold tire
inflation pressure mentioned on the
sidewall of the tire. (
P. 538)