Page 375 of 509

3756-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
6
Maintenance and care
WARNING
■ Replacing light bulbs
●Be sure to stop the hybrid system and turn off the lights. Do not attempt to
replace the bulb immediately after turning off the lights.
The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.
● Do not touch the glass portion of t he light bulb with bare hands. When it is
unavoidable to hold the glass portion, use and hold with a clean dry cloth
to avoid getting moisture and oils on the bulb.
Also, if the bulb is scratched or dropped, it may blow out or crack.
● Fully install light bulbs and any parts used to secure them. Failure to do so
may result in heat damage, fire, or water entering the headlight unit. This
may damage the headlights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.
● Do not attempt to repair or disassemble light bulbs, connectors, electric
circuits or component parts.
Doing so may result in death or serious injury due to electric shock.
■ To prevent damage or fire
●Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked.
● Check the wattage of the bulb before installing to prevent heat damage.
Page 377 of 509

377
7When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)7-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ........... 378
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 379 7-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ...................... 380
If you think something is wrong ............................... 386
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................. 387
If a warning message is displayed ......................... 400
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with spare
tire) .................................. 417
If you have a flat tire (vehicles without spare
tire) .................................. 431
If the hybrid system will not start............................ 448
If the electronic key does not operate properly ........ 450
If the 12-volt battery is discharged ....................... 452
If your vehicle overheats ......................... 457
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................ 462
Page 380 of 509

3807-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
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 any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped professional or commercial
towing service.
●There is a malfunction in the shift control system. ( →P. 389, 402)
● There is a malfunction in the immobilizer system. ( →P. 9 1 )
● There is a malfunction in the smart entry & start system. ( →P. 450)
● The 12-volt battery is discharged. ( →P. 452)
The following may indicate a problem with your hybrid transmission.
Contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional or commercial towing service
before towing.
● 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.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle
towed by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional 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
Page 386 of 509

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
Page 387 of 509

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.
Page 388 of 509

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
Page 389 of 509

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
Page 390 of 509

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