2744-6. Driving tips
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
Winter driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt bat-
tery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle
3136-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
6
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
●Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ Antenna installation and removal precautions
●Before driving, ensure that the antenna is installed.
● When the antenna is removed, such as before entering an automatic car
wash, make sure to store it in a suitable place so as not to lose it. Also,
before driving, make sure to reinstall the antenna in its original position.
■ When using a high pressure car wash
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
3226-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■ When working on the engine compartment
●Make sure that the “POWER ON” on the multi-information display or the
smart entry & start system indicator, 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.
● 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. 334)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
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.
3867-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High coolant temperature warning light flashes or comes on
● 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, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle proba-
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional as soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
3877-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
7
When trouble arises
If a war ning light tur ns 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 any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Brake system warning light and warning buzzer (red
indicator)
*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully
released, the system is operating normally.
Brake system warning light (yellow indicator) Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative braking system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
Charging system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
3887-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
(If equipped)
Low engine oil pressure warning lightIndicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
(If equipped)
Hybrid system warning light (warning buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the hybrid system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
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 any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
SRS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional 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 any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
3897-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
7
When trouble arises
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
PCS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the pre-crash safety system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
The warning light will operate as follows, even when the
system is not malfunctioning:
• The light will come on when the pre-crash safety system is turned off. ( →P. 263)
• The light will flash when the system cannot temporarily be used.
Slip indicator light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system;
• The TRC system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
The light will flash when the above systems and/or ABS
are operating.
(If equipped)
Parking lock system warning light (warning buzzer) Indicates a malfunction in the shift control system
• In this situation, there is a possibility that the parkinglock mechanism will not work. When parking, park the
vehicle on a flat surface and apply the parking brake
securely.
• The power switch may not be turned off. If this happens, applying the parking brake will enable the switch to be
turned off.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
3907-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
(If equipped)
Parking lock system warning message (warning buzzer)Indicates a malfunction in the shift control system when
the vehicle is stopped
• In this situation, there is a possibility that the parkinglock mechanism will not work. When parking, park the
vehicle on a flat surface and apply the parking brake
securely.
• The power switch may not be turned off. If this happens,
applying the parking brake will enable the switch to be
turned off.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
(If equipped)
Hybrid battery indicator light The hybrid battery (traction battery) will soon need to be
inspected or replaced
Have the hybrid battery (traction battery) inspected by any
authorized Toyota dealer or re pairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional immediately.
*2
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
(If equipped)
LED headlight warning light Indicates a malfunction in the LED headlights
The LED headlights will not normally illuminate when
there is a malfunction, however they may be able to illu-
minate depending on the nature of the problem.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
P position request indicator light (warning buzzer)
The amount of charge remaining in the hybrid battery
(traction battery) has fallen because the shift position has
been left in N for a long time
→ Because recharging is not possible when the shift
position is in N, shift the shift position to P when
parking the vehicle for a long time.
• The driver’s door has been opened while the shift posi- tion is in N, D or B
• An attempt has been made to start the hybrid system
while the shift position is in anything other than P
→ Shift the shift position to P.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions