6648-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(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 retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer or commercial towing ser-
vice.
● There is a malfunction in the shift control system. (P. 354, 686)
● There is a malfunction in the immobilizer system. (P. 7 5 )
● There is a malfunction in the smart entry & start system. (P. 708)
● The 12-volt battery is discharged. (P. 712)
The following may indicate a problem with your hybrid transmission.
Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer,
or any reliable repairer or commercial towing service before towing.
● The hybrid system warning message is displayed 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 retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer 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 possible to be towed by another vehicle
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
6738-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
(Flashes or illuminates)
PCS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Crash Safety sys-
tem) or that the system is temporarily unavailable due to
the vehicle being extremely hot/cold, or dirt around a front
sensor, etc. ( P. 406, 680)
Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display. ( P. 406, 680)
If the PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system) or VSC (Vehicle
Stability Control) system is disabled, the PCS warning light
will illuminate.
P. 406
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
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
The light will flash when the ABS, VSC or TRC system is
operating.
High coolant temperature warning light
• When the light flashes:
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high
The light changes from a flashing to a solid light when
the temperature further increases
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
( P. 718)
• When the light comes on without flashing:
Indicates a malfunction in the exhaust heat recirculator
system
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
6768-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
Brake Override System/Drive-Start Control/
Intelligent Clearance Sonar (symbol display)*5
Brake Override System
Indicates that the accelerator and brake pedals are being
depressed simultaneously, and the Brake Override Sys-
tem is operating
Release the accelerator pedal and depress the brake
pedal.
Indicates a malfunction in the Brake Override System
(with warning buzzer)
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
Drive-Start Control
Indicates that the shift position was changed and Drive-
Start Control was operated while depressing the accelera-
tor pedal (with warning buzzer)
Momentarily release the accelerator pedal.
Indicates a malfunction in the Drive-Start Control system
(with warning buzzer)
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Indicates that the Intelligent Clearance Sonar (if equipped)
is operating ( P. 476)
Follow the instruction that is displayed on the multi-
information display.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
6778-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(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 retailer or Toyota authorized repai rer, or any reliable repairer as soon
as possible.
6808-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
If a warning message is displayed
Master warning light
The master warning light also
comes on or flashes in order to
indicate that a message is cur-
rently being displayed on the multi-
information display.*
Multi-information display
Handling method
Follow the instructions of the mes-
sage on the multi-information dis-
play.
If any of the warning messages are shown again after the following
actions have been performed, contact any authorized Toyota retailer
or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
*: The master warning light may not come on or flash when a warning mes-
sage is displayed.
The multi-information display shows warnings of system mal-
functions, incorrectly performed operations, and messages that
indicate a need for maintenance. When a message is shown,
perform the correction procedure appropriate to the message.
When a message about charging is displayed, refer to P. 192.
1
2
3
6818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
The warning lights and warning buzzers operate as follows depending
on the content of the message. If a message indicates the need for
inspection by a dealer, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer
immediately.
The operation of the warning lights and warning buzzers may differ
from those stated. In this case, perform the correction procedure
according to the displayed message.
*: A buzzer sounds the first time a message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
Messages and warnings
System
warning
light
Warning
buzzer*Warning
Comes onSounds
Indicates an important situation, such
as when a system related to driving is
malfunctioning or that danger may
result if the correction procedure is not
performed
Comes on
or flashesSounds
Indicates an important situation, such
as when the systems shown on the
multi-information display may be mal-
functioning
FlashesSounds
Indicates a situation, such as when
damage to the vehicle or danger may
result
Comes onDoes not
sound
Indicates a condition, such as mal-
function of electrical components, their
condition, or indicates the need for
maintenance
FlashesDoes not
sound
Indicates a situation, such as when an
operation has been performed incor-
rectly, or indicates how to perform an
operation correctly
6828-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
■Warning messages
The warning messages explained below may differ from the actual messages
according to operation conditions and vehicle specifications.
■ System warning lights
The master warning light does not come on or flash in the following cases.
Instead, a separate system warning light will come on along with a message
or image shown on the multi-information display.
● “Antilock Brake System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer”:
The ABS warning light comes on. ( P. 672)
● “Braking Power Low Visit Your Dealer”:
The brake system warning light (yellow) will come on. ( P. 671)
● Indicates that a door is not fully closed while the vehicle is stopped.:
The Open door warning light comes on. ( P. 6 7 4 )
■ If “Visit Your Dealer” is shown
The system or part shown on the multi- information display is malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota autho-
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■ If a message about an operation is shown
● If a message about an operation of the accelerator pedal or brake pedal is
shown
A warning message about an operation of the brake pedal may be shown
while the driving assist systems such as PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system) or
the dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range is operating. If a
warning message is shown, be sure to decelerate the vehicle or follow an
instruction shown on the multi-information display.
● A warning message is shown when Drive-Start Control, Brake Override Sys-
tem or Intelligent Clearance Sonar (if equipped) operates ( P. 338, 338,
476). Follow the instructions on the multi-information display.
● If a message about an operation of the power switch is shown
An instruction for operation of the power switch is shown when the incorrect
procedure for starting the hybrid system is performed or the power switch is
operated incorrectly. Follow the instructions shown on the multi-information
display to operate the power switch again.
● If a message about a shift operation is shown
To prevent the shift position from being selected incorrectly or the vehicle
from moving unexpectedly, the shift position may be changed automatically
( P. 359) or shift operation may be required. In this case, change the shift
position following the instructions on the multi-information display.
● If a message or image about an open/close state of a part or replenishment
of a consumable is shown
Confirm the part indicated by the multi-information display or a warning light,
and then perform the coping method such as closing the open door or
replenishing a consumable.
6858-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
■If “Maintenance required for Traction battery cooling parts See owner’s
manual” is shown
There is a possibility that the filter may be clogged, the air intake vent may be
blocked or there may be a gap in the duct.
● When the air intake vents or filters are dirty, clean them by the procedures
on P. 578.
● When the air intake vents or filters are not dirty and the warning message is
shown, have the vehicle inspected at any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■ If “Traction Battery Needs to be Protected Refrain From the Use of
Position” is shown
This message may be displayed when the shift position is in N.
As the hybrid battery (traction battery) can not be charged when the shift
position is in N, shift the shift position to P when the vehicle is stopped.
■ If “Traction Battery Needs to be Protected Shift into to Restart” is
shown
Message is displayed when the remaining charge for the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) is low, because vehicle has been shifted to N for a certain period
of time.
When operating the vehicle, shift to P and restart the hybrid system.
■ If “Shift to Before Exiting Vehicle” is shown
Message is displayed when the driver’s door is opened without turning the
power switch to off with the shift position in any position other than P.
Shift the shift position to P.
■ If “Shift is in Release Accelerator Before Shifting” is shown
Message is displayed when the accelerator pedal has been depressed and
the shift position is in N.
Release the accelerator pedal and shift the shift position to D or R.
■ If “Depress Brake When Vehicle is Stopped. Hybrid System may Over-
heat.” is shown
The message may be shown when the accelerator pedal is depressed to hold
the vehicle while the vehicle is stopped on an uphill, etc.
The hybrid system may overheat. Release the accelerator pedal and depress
the brake pedal.