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4898-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the power switch to ON mode.
Shift the shift position to N and release the parking brake.
■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. 525)
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 eyelet, cables or chains. The towing eyelet,
cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit people 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.
■ Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
●The towing eyelets are only for the vehicle equipped with them. Do not use
the towing eyelets for another vehicle, and do not use the towing eyelets
for this vehicle on another vehicle.
● Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing.
5
6
7
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 490 of 624
4908-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
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 491 of 624
491
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(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 co nditioning 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, spon gy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor
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
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492
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(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.
Page 493 of 624

4938-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(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 (Electric Power Steer-
ing) 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. 251)
• The light will come on when the pre-collision system is turned off. (P. 256)
• The light will flash when the system cannot temporarily be used.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 494 of 624

4948-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
Slip indicator lightIndicates 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 warnin g 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 warnin g 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
Page 495 of 624

4958-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(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 warn ing 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. 546)
(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 (tract ion 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 temperat ure 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. 546)
(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
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4968-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
Low fuel level warning lightIndicates 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 (war ning 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. 506
(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. 416)
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions