Page 475 of 596

4758-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
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 476 of 596
4768-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
●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
Page 478 of 596

4788-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Charging system warning lightIndicates a malfunction in the vehicle's charging system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
(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 (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)Parking brake warning light (warning buzzer)*2
Indicates that the parking brake is engaged
→ Release the parking brake.
Page 481 of 596

4818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
*3: Driver's seat belt buzzer: Vehicles without a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds
to alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If
the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once.
If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, 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.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to
alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the “POWER”
switch is turned to ON mode, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehi-
cle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the
seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermit-
tently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer
will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 24 seconds, 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.
Page 483 of 596

4838-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)■
If the tire pressure warning system is not functioning
→P. 437
■
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking
for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1
minute when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles
without a smart key system) or the “POWER” switch is turned to ON
mode (vehicles with a smart key system ), have it checked by your Toyota
dealer.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled. (Cus-
tomizable features →P. 556) However, Toyota recommends that the seat belt
reminder buzzer be operational to alert the driver and front passenger when
seat belts are not fastened.
■ Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an
audio sound.
WARNING
■When the electric power steerin g system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
When steering wheel operations are heavier than usual, grip the steering
wheel firmly and operate it using more force than usual.
■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light co mes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with the spare tire and have the flat tire
repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.
Page 487 of 596

4878-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
Warning message and warning buzzer list
Warning messageDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in the hybrid systemA buzzer sounds in accordance with the warn-
ing message that is displayed.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Toyota dealer.
Indicates that the high engine coolant tempera-
ture is too high
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place. ( →P. 524)
Indicates abnormal engine oil pressure
The warning message is shown if the engine oil
pressure is too low.
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Toyota dealer.
(If equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the LDA (Lane Depar-
ture Alert) system A buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspect ed by your Toyota
dealer.
(If equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision
System) A buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspect ed by your Toyota
dealer.
(Flashes)
Page 492 of 596

4928-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)Indicates that the driver’s door was opened with
the shift position in N, D or B
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Shift the shift lever to P.
Indicates that the accelerator pedal is depressed
while the shift position is in N A buzzer also sounds.
→ Release the accelerator pedal and shift the
shift lever to D, B or R.
Indicates that the engine switch is turned to the
“ACC” or “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or the “POWER” switch is
turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off (vehi-
cles with a smart key system) and the driver’s
door is opened while the lights are turned on A buzzer also sounds.
→ Turn the lights off.
Indicates that the EV drive mode is not avail-
able
*2
The reason the EV drive mode is not available
(the vehicle is idling, battery charge is low,
speed is higher than the EV drive mode operat-
ing speed range, accelerator pedal is
depressed too much) may be displayed.
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Use the EV drive mode when it becomes
available.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
Page 499 of 596
4998-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
⎯⎯
Power was turned off due to the
automatic power off function.
→Next time when starting
the hybrid system,
increase the engine speed
slightly and maintain that
level for approximately 5
minutes to recharge the
12-volt-battery.
Once⎯
The electronic key has a low
battery.
→Replace the electronic key
battery. ( →P. 448)
Once⎯
The driver's door was opened
and closed with the “POWER”
switch turned off and then the
“POWER” switch was put in
ACCESSORY mode twice with-
out the hybrid system being
started.
→Press the “POWER”
switch while depressing
the brake pedal.
During a hybrid system starting
procedure in the event that the
electronic key was not function-
ing properly
(→P. 516), the “POWER” switch
was touched with the electronic
key.
→ Press the “POWER”
switch within 10 seconds
of the buzzer sounding.
Interior
buzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)