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 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
Page 636 of 744
6368-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
If your vehicle is transported by a
flatbed truck, it should be tied
down at the locations shown in the
illustration.
If you use cables or chains to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45 .
Do not overly tighten the tie
downs or the vehicle may be dam-
aged.
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency
towing eyelets. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for short distances at under 30 km/h (18 mph).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Using a flatbed truck
Front
Emergency towing
Page 638 of 744

6388-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
■While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■ Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage compartment. ( P. 5 9 8 )
■ Towing eyelet installation hole on the rear of the vehicle
The hole is equipped for fastening the
vehicle while shipping. The towing eyelet
installed in this hole cannot be used for
towing another vehicle.
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When towing the vehicle
■ While towing
● When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eye-
lets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit peo-
ple, and cause serious damage.
● Do not turn the power switch off.
This may lead to an accident as the front wheels will be locked by the
parking lock.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the
front wheels raised or with all four wheels
raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the front wheels contacting
the ground, the drivetrain and related
parts may be damaged or electricity gen-
erated by the operation of the motor may
cause a fire to occur depending on the
nature of the damage or malfunction.
Page 642 of 744

6428-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
Low engine oil pressure warning light
(warning buzzer)*2
Indicates 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.
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.
(Red/yellow)
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
Page 646 of 744

6468-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
Brake Override System/Drive-Start Control/
Intelligent Clearance Sonar (symbol display)*5
Indicates that:
• The Brake Override System is operating;
• The Brake Override System is malfunctioning;
• The Drive-Start Control is operating;
• The Drive-Start Control is malfunctioning; or
• The Intelligent Clearance Sonar (if equipped) is operat-
ing ( P. 449)
Follow the instruction that are displayed on the multi-
information display.
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) system
(symbol display)*5
Indicates that the LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering
control) system has determined that the driver does not
have their hands on the steering wheel while the steering
control function is on
Firmly hold the steering wheel.
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) system
(symbol display)*5
Indicates that the vehicle has been about to depart from its
lane many times, or the steering wheel is suddenly oper-
ated to avoid departing from the lane.
Immediately take a break if you feel tired while driv-
ing.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 647 of 744

6478-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
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.
*2: Low engine oil pressure warning buzzer:
A buzzer also sounds continuously for approximately 30 seconds at maxi-
mum in addition to the low engine oil pressure warning light when the
“READY” indicator is illuminated.
*3: 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 5 km/h
[3 mph]).
*4: Seat belt warning buzzer:
The seat belt warning buzzer sounds to alert the driver, front passenger
and rear passengers that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer
sounds intermittently for 30 seconds after the vehicle reaches a speed of
20 km/h (12 mph). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will
sound in a different tone for 90 more seconds.
*5: This symbol is displayed on the multi-information display.
■ Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning
buzzer
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
● If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger,
and the warning light may not operate properly.
■ Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage tempo-
rarily drops, the electric power steering system warning light may come on
and the warning buzzer may sound.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
The malfunction indicator lamp will come on if the fuel tank becomes com-
pletely empty. If the fuel tank is empt y, refuel the vehicle immediately. The
malfunction indicator lamp will go off after several trips.
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off, contact any authorized
Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
as soon as possible.