484
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
In the following situations, it is not possible to be towed by another
vehicle using cables or chains, as the front wheels may be locked due
to the parking lock. Contact your Toyota dealer or commercial towing
service.
●There is a malfunction in the shift control system. (P. 492, 505)
●There is a malfunction in the immobilizer system. (P. 82)
●There is a malfunction in the smart key system. (P. 536)
●The 12-volt battery is discharged. (P. 538)
The following may indicate a problem with your hybrid transmission.
Contact your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before tow-
ing.
●The hybrid system warning light turns on or the hybrid system
warning message is displayed on the multi-information display and
the vehicle does not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type truck or flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
Situations when it is not possible to be towed by another vehicle
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck
489
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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 your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
490
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns 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 your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
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 your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle 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 brake system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
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 your Toyota dealer.
(If equipped)
Low engine oil pressure warning light
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
(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 your Toyota dealer.
4918-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
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 your Toyota dealer
immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
PCS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the pre-collision system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
The warning light will operate as follows, even when the
system is not malfunctioning:
• The light will come on when the TRAC and VSC are
turned off. (P. 249)
• The light will come on when the pre-collision system is
turned off. (P. 254)
• The light will flash when the system cannot temporarily
be used.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
4928-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
Slip indicator light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system;
• The TRAC system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
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 parking
lock 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 your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(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 parking
lock 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 your Toyota dealer
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 your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
4938-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
(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.
(If equipped)
Hybrid system overheat warning light (warning buzzer)
The hybrid system has overheated
This light may come on when driving under severe operat-
ing conditions, and the output 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.)
Stop and check. (P. 543)
(If equipped)
Cruise control indicator (yellow indicator)
Indicates a malfunction in the cruise control
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(Only outer frame
flashes)
(If equipped)
Low hybrid battery (traction battery) warning light
(warning buzzer)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) level becomes low
because the shift position is in N for 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.
High coolant temperature warning light
Changes from a flashing to a solid light when the engine
coolant temperature increases
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. (P. 543)
(If equipped)
Automatic headlight leveling system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the automatic headlight leveling
system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Open door warning light (warning buzzer)*2
Indicates that a door is not fully closed
Check that all the doors are closed.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
4948-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 1.6 gal.
(6.0 L, 1.3 Imp.gal.) or less
Refuel the vehicle.
Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*3
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts
Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (warning buzzer) turn off.
(If equipped)
Master warning light
A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the master warning system has
detected a malfunction.
P. 503
(U. S. A)
(If equipped)
Maintenance required reminder light
Indicates that maintenance is required according to the
driven distance on the maintenance schedule.
*1
Illuminates for about 3 seconds and then flashes for about
15 seconds approximately 4500 miles (7200 km) after the
reminder light has been reset.
If necessary, perform maintenance.
Comes on and remains on if the distance driven exceeds
5000 miles (8000 km) after the reminder light has been
reset. (The indicator will not work properly unless the
reminder light has been reset.)
Perform the necessary maintenance. Please reset the
reminder light after the maintenance is performed.
(P. 414)
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
4958-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
*1: Brake system warning buzzer:
When there is a possible problem that could affect braking performance,
the warning light will come on and a warning buzzer will sound.
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately 3
mph (5 km/h) or more.
*2: Open door warning buzzer:
The open door warning buzzer sounds to alert one or more of the doors is
not fully closed (with the vehicle having reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
*3: Seat belt buzzer:
The seat belt warning buzzer sounds to alert the driver and/or front pas-
senger that their seat belts are not fastened. If the driver’s seat belt is not
fastened, the buzzer will sound for 6 seconds once the power switch is
turned to ON mode. If the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h),
the buzzer will sound once. If the seat belt is still unfastened after 30 sec-
onds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat
belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20 more
seconds.
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes (P. 497)
• Flat tire (P. 521)
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
(P. 497)
Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions