Page 465 of 588
465
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
●A warning message for the hybrid system is shown on the multi-
information display and the vehicle does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we re commend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
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4668-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the frontFrom the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
Page 467 of 588
4678-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
If your vehicle is transported by a
flatbed truck, it should be tied
down at the locations shown in the
illustration.
If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45.
Do not overly tighten the tie
downs or the vehicle may be dam-
aged.
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency
towing eyelets. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for short distance at under 3 mph (5 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Using a flatbed truck
Emergency towing
Page 468 of 588
4688-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Take out the towing eyelet. (P. 497)
Open the eyelet cover A using
a flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body as shown in the
illustration.
Open the eyelet cover B.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by
hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut
wrench or hard metal bar.
Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Emergency towing procedure
1
A
2
B
3
4
5
6
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.
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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 472 of 588
4728-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air co nditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● is shown on the multi-information display
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
● Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spon gy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the follow ing symptoms, your vehicle proba-
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms