2018 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual (in English)

665
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
8-1. Essential information
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, st op 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

666
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(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. 234, 690)
● There is a malfunction in the immobilizer system. ( →P. 89)
● There is a malfunction in the smart key system. ( →P. 726)
● The 12-volt battery is discharged. ( →P. 729)
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 messa ge is displayed and the vehicle
does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If towing is necessary, we re commend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
Situations when it is not possibl e to be towed by another vehicle
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing

6678-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the front From the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.

6688-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
If your vehicle is transported by a
flatbed truck, it should be tied
down at the locations shown in the
illustration.
If you use chains or cables 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 a short distance at under 18 mph (30 km/h).
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

6698-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
Take out the towing eyelet. (→P. 692, 707)
Remove the eyelet cover using
a flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by
hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut
wrench or hard metal bar.
When tightening with a wheel nut
wrench or hard metal bar, make
sure not to damage the vehicle
body.
Securely attach cables or c hains 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.
Turn off the Intelligent Clearance Sonar. (if equipped): →P. 352
Shift the shift position to N* and release the parking brake.
*: If the shift position cannot be changed or the current shift position
can not be confirmed, contact your Toyota dealer or commercial tow-
ing service before towing.
Emergency towing procedure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

6708-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
■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. 692, 707)
■ Towing eyelet installation hole on the rear of the vehicle
The hole is equipped for fastening the
vehicle while shipping. Your vehicle can-
not tow 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.
■ 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.
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.

6718-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
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.

672
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
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