Page 507 of 620

5078-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
Indicates an engine oil pressure malfunction 
A buzzer also sounds.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Toyota dealer.
Indicates that the hybrid system has overheated
This message may be displayed when driving
under severe operating conditions, and the out-
put of the hybrid system may temporarily
decrease in order to protect the system. (For
example, when driving up a long steep hill or
driving up a steep hill in reverse.)
A buzzer also sounds.
Stop and check. (P. 543)
(If equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the Automatic High
Beam
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
Indicates that the insufficient 12-volt battery
charge 
A few seconds
* after the message disap-
pears: Maintain the hybrid system opera-
tion state for approximately 15 minutes or
more to recharge the 12-volt battery. 
If the message does not disappear: Start
the hybrid system by following the “If the
12-volt battery is discharged” procedure
(P. 538). 
*: This is displayed for about 6 seconds.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes) 
         
        
        
     
        
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5108-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
An attempt was made to change the shift position
to B when the shift position was P or N. 
A buzzer also sounds.
Change the shift position to D, and then
change the shift position to B. 
An attempt was made to change the shift position
to R, D or B with the power switch on (READY
indicator turned off). 
A buzzer also sounds.
After starting the hybrid system, change
the shift position to R, D or B
*. 
*: When changing the shift position to B, first
change the shift position to D, and then
change the shift position to B. 
An attempt was made to change the shift position
from P with the brake pedal released. 
A buzzer also sounds.
When changing the shift position from P,
depress the brake pedal. 
An attempt was made to change the shift position
to B when the shift position was R. 
A buzzer also sounds.
The shift position automatically changed to N.
Change the shift position to D, and then
change the shift position to B. 
An attempt was made to change the shift position
to D while the vehicle was driven in reverse. 
A buzzer also sounds.
The shift position automatically changed to N.
Stop the vehicle, and then change the shift
position. 
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes) 
         
        
        
     
        
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5118-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
An attempt was made to change the shift position
to R while the vehicle was moving forward. 
A buzzer also sounds.
The shift position automatically changed to N.
Stop the vehicle, and then change the shift
position. 
Indicates that the P position switch is pressed
while the vehicle is running.
A buzzer also sounds.
The shift position automatically changed to N.
To shift the shift position to P, stop the
vehicle completely and press the P posi-
tion switch.
To continue driving, shift the shift position
to D or R.
Insufficient 12-volt battery charge 
The parking lock mechanism may not function.
The hybrid system may not be able to start.
The power switch may not be able to be turned
off. In this case, the power switch may be
turned off by applying the parking brake.
After charging the 12-volt battery, the message
may continue to be displayed until the shift
position is changed from P.
A buzzer also sounds.
When parking, choose a level location and
apply the parking brake securely.
Maintain the hybrid system operation state
for approximately 15 minutes or more to
recharge the 12-volt battery.
The hybrid system will not start: Start the
hybrid system by following the “If the
12-volt battery is discharged” procedure
(P. 538).
If the message does not disappear: The
12-volt battery may be deteriorating.
The 12-volt battery may be discharged if
this continues. Have the 12-volt battery
inspected at your Toyota dealer.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes) 
         
        
        
     
        
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5128-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
Shift control system malfunction 
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
• The hybrid system may not be able to start. 
• The parking lock mechanism may not func-
tion. When parking, choose a level location
and apply the parking brake securely. 
• The power switch may not be able to be
turned off. In this case, the power switch
may be turned off by applying the parking
brake. 
Shift control system malfunction 
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately. If not inspected, vehi-
cle systems may stop operating normally. 
Shift control system communication malfunction
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
• The hybrid system may not be able to start. 
• May not be switched to the P position.
When parking, choose a level location and
apply the parking brake securely. 
• The automatically P position selection func-
tion (P. 184) may not function. Before
turning the power switch off, securely press
the P position switch, and be sure to check
that the shift position is in P by verifying the
shift position or P position switch operation
indicator lights. 
• The power switch may not be able to be
turned off. In this case, the power switch
may be turned off by applying the parking
brake. 
Warning messageDetails/Actions 
         
        
        
     
        
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5378-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
■Stopping the hybrid system
Set the parking brake, shift the shift position to P and press the power switch
as you normally do when stopping the hybrid system.
■Replacing the key battery
As the above procedure is a temporary measure, it is recommended that the
electronic key battery be replaced immediately when the battery is depleted.
(P. 461)
■Changing power switch modes
Within 10 seconds of the buzzer sounding, release the brake pedal and press
the power switch.
The hybrid system does not start and modes will be changed each time the
switch is pressed. (P. 176) 
         
        
        
     
        
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5448-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir.
Reservoir
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if coolant is unavailable.
Start the hybrid system and turn the air conditioning system on to
check that the radiator cooling fans operate and to check for
coolant leaks from the radiator or hoses.
The fans operate when the air conditioning system is turned on immedi-
ately after a cold start. Confirm that the fans are operating by checking
the fan sound and air flow. If it is difficult to check these, turn the air con-
ditioning system on and off repeatedly. (The fans may not operate in
freezing temperatures.)
If the fans are not operating:
Stop the hybrid system immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer.
If the fans are operating:
Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Toyota dealer.
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5468-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
After stopping the hybrid system and waiting for 5 minutes or
more, start the hybrid system and check for the instrument clus-
ter or multi-information display.
If the hybrid system overheat warning light does not turn off or
the message does not disappear:
Stop the hybrid system and contact your Toyota dealer.
If the hybrid system overheat warning light does not come on or
the message is not displayed:
The hybrid system temperature has dropped and the vehicle may
be driven normally.
However, if the warning light comes on again frequently or the message
appears again frequently, contact your Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■When inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in serious injury such as burns.
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot.
●After the hybrid system has been turned off, check that the indicator on the
power switch and the “READY” indicator are off.
When the hybrid system is operating, the gasoline engine may automati-
cally start, or the cooling fan may suddenly operate even if the gasoline
engine stops. Do not touch or approach rotating parts such as the fan,
which may lead to fingers or clothing (especially a tie, a scarf or a muffler)
getting caught, resulting in serious injury.
●Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the hybrid system and radia-
tor are hot.
High temperature steam or coolant could spray out.
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        Page 548 of 620
548
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle becomes stuck
Set the parking brake and shift the shift position to P. Stop the
hybrid system.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the tires to help
provide traction.
Restart the hybrid system.
Shift the shift position to D or R, release the parking brake and
carefully apply the accelerator to free the vehicle.
■When it is difficult to free the vehicle
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Press   to turn off TRAC. (P. 248)
Vehicles without multi-infor-
mation display
Vehicles with multi-informa-
tion display
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