Page 500 of 744

5005-6. Driving tips
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
● Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the rear
tires.
● Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after
driving 0.5 - 1.0 km (1/4 - 1/2 mile).
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.
■ Consumption of fuel and electricity
In cold temperatures, resistance of the parts of a vehicle (transmission, tires,
etc.) generally increases, resulting in increase of energy consumption. As a
result, fuel economy is likely to decrease.
Consumption of fuel and electricity of this vehicle is also likely to become
worse in cold temperatures.
WARNING
■ Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the specified size.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive at speeds in excess of the speed limit or the speed limit spec-
ified for the snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 50 km/h (30 mph), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
■ When parking the vehicle
When parking the vehicle without applying the parking brake, make sure to
chock the wheels. If you do not chock the wheels, the vehicle may move
unexpectedly, possibly resulting in an accident.
Page 550 of 744

5507-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When using a high pressure car wash
● When washing the vehicle, do not let water of the high pressure washer hit
directly or the vicinity of the camera. Due to the shock from the high pres-
sure water, it is possible the device may not operate as normal.
● Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured
cover), connectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if
they come into contact with high-pressure water.
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
• Brake parts
● Do not wash the underside of the vehicle using a high pressure car
washer.
● Do not use the washer on the area around the charging port lid. Water
could get into the charging inlet and could damage the vehicle.
■ When raising the windshield wiper arms
Make sure to hold the hook parts of the
wiper arms to raise them.
Do not hold only the wiper blades when
raising them, or it may cause deformation
of the wiper blades.
Hook parts
Page 558 of 744

5587-2. Maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
■Where to go for maintenance service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition, Toyota recom-
mends that maintenance service operations as well as other inspections and
repairs be carried out by authorized Toyota dealers or repairers or other duly
qualified and equipped professionals. For repairs and services covered by
your warranty, please visit an authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, who will
use genuine Toyota parts in repairing any difficulties you may encounter.
There can also be advantages in utilizing authorized Toyota dealers or repair-
ers for non-warranty repairs and services, as members of the Toyota network
will be able to expertly assist you with any difficulties you may encounter.
Your Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional will perform all of the scheduled maintenance on your vehicle reliably
and economically due to their experience with Toyota vehicles.
■Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs
that indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
●Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
●Appreciable loss of power
●Strange engine noises
●A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air condi-
tioning system after use is normal.)
●Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked
immediately.)
●Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
●Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
●Strange noises related to suspension movement
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost
touches the floor, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
●Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal (P. 644, 688)
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as
soon as possible. Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
Page 561 of 744

5617-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become el ectrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■ When working on the engine compartment
● Make sure that the “Accessory”, “Ignition ON” or mileage display (P. 208)
on the main display and the “READY” indicator are both off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust
manifold, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids
may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes
are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the 12-volt battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
● Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or 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 discom-
fort, consult a doctor.
■ When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may automati-
cally start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. ( P. 572)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
Page 562 of 744
5627-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.
■ If the brake fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.
Page 597 of 744
5977-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
Replacing the tire
●Stop the vehicle in a safe place on a hard, flat surface.
●Set the parking brake.
●Shift the shift position to P.
●Stop the hybrid system.
●Turn on the emergency flashers. (P. 632)
When raising your vehicle with a jack, position the jack cor-
rectly.
Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause injury.
Before jacking up the vehicle
Page 604 of 744

6047-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
WARNING
■Replacing a tire
● Do not touch the disc wheels or the area around the brakes immediately
after the vehicle has been driven.
After the vehicle has been driven the disc wheels and the area around the
brakes will be extremely hot. Touching these areas with hands, feet or
other body parts while changing a tire, etc. may result in burns.
● Failure to follow these precautions could cause the wheel nuts to loosen
and the tire to fall off, resulting in death or serious injury.
• Have the wheel nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 103 N•m
(10.5 kgf•m, 76 ft•lbf) as soon as possible after changing wheels.
• When installing a tire, only use wheel nuts that have been specifically
designed for that wheel.
• If there are any cracks or deformations in the bolt screws, nut threads or
bolt holes of the wheel, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized
Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional.
• When installing the wheel nuts, be sure to install the wheel nuts with the
tapered ends facing inward. ( P. 595)
Page 633 of 744

6338-1. Essential information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency
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 position to N.
If the shift position is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the hybrid system.
If the shift position cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle
speed as much as possible.
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.
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop
the vehicle in the normal way, stop the vehicle using the follow-
ing procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or
more, or press briefly 3 times or
more
4
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.
5