4637-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
■LED light bulbs
The headlights/daytime running lights, front fog lights (if equipped), side
marker lights, stop/tail lights and high mounted stoplight cons ist of a number
of LEDs. If any of the LEDs burn out, take your vehicle to your Toyota dealer
to have the light replaced.
■ Condensation build-up on the inside of the lens
Temporary condensation build-up on the inside of the headlight lens does not
indicate a malfunction. Contact your Toyota dealer for more information in the
following situations:
● Large drops of water have built up on the inside of the lens.
● Water has built up inside the headlight.
WARNING
■Replacing light bulbs
● Turn off the lights. Do not attempt to replace the bulb immedia tely after
turning off the lights.
The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.
● Do not touch the glass portion of the light bulb with bare hand s. When it is
unavoidable to hold the glass portion, use and hold with a clea n 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. Fa ilure to do so
may result in heat damage, fire, or water entering the headligh t unit. This
may damage the headlights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.
■ To prevent damage or fire
Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked.
465
8When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 466
If your vehicle has to be stopped in
an emergency ................. 467
8-2. S teps to take in
a n emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ..................... 469
If you think something is wrong .......................... 476
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 477
If a warning message is displayed ..................... 485
If you have a flat tire.......... 502
If the hybrid system will not start ..................... 515
If the electronic key does not operate properly ........ 517
If the vehicle 12-volt battery is discharged ....... 519
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 526
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................ 530
466
PRIUS c_U
8-1. Essential information
Press the switch.
All the turn signal lights will flash.
To turn them off, press the switch
once again.
■Emergency flashers
If the emergency flashers are used for a long time while the hy brid system is
not operating (while the “READY” indicator is not illuminated), the 12-volt bat-
tery may discharge.
Emergency flashers
The emergency flashers are used to warn other drivers when the
vehicle has to be st opped in the road due to a breakdown, etc.
4778-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U
If a warning light turns on or a war ning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning ligh ts
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 w arning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light in red (warning buzzer)*1
•Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Brake system warning light in yellow
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative brake system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
4788-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(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.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)Parking brake warning light (warning buzzer)*2
Indicates that the parking brake is engaged
Release the parking brake.
4798-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U
Slip indicator lightIndicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system;
• The TRAC (Traction Control) system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
The light will flash when the VSC, the TRAC or the ABS
system is operating.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Low fuel level warning light
Remaining fuel is low
When the remaining fuel is approximately 1.3 gal. (5.0 L,
1.1 Imp. gal.) or less, a buzzer sounds and comes on
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 reminder light (warning buzzer) go off.
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. 485
(Flashes or illumi-
nates)
PCS warning light
When a buzzer sounds simultaneously:
Indicates a malfunction has occurred in the PCS (Pre-Col-
lision System).
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Indicate that the PCS (Pre-Collision System) has become
temporarily unavailable, corrective action may be neces-
sary.
Possible causes and corrective actions
(P. 228, 485)
If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or VSC (Vehicle Stability
Control) system is disabled, the PCS warning light will illu-
minate.
P. 238
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
4808-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U
*1: Brake system warning buzzer: When there is a possible problem that could affect braking perf ormance,
the warning light will come on and a warning buzzer will sound.
*2: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer P. 205, 489
*3: Driver’s seat belt buzzer: Vehicles without a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds
to alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the power
switch is turned to the “ON” position, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If
the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once.
If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound
intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the
buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to
alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Onc e the power
switch is turned to ON mode, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. I f the vehi-
cle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the
seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermit-
tently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfasten ed, the buzzer
will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the fron t passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds on ce if the
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt i s still unfas-
tened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently fo r 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sou nd in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.
Tire pressure warning light When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( P. 4 8 1 )
• Flat tire ( P. 502)
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in t he tire pressure warning system
( P. 4 8 2 )
Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
4818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front impact
sensors, side impact sensors (front door), side impact sensors (front), side
impact sensors (rear), driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front passenger occu-
pant classification system, “AIR BAG ON” indicator light, “AIR BAG OFF” indi-
cator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch, seat be lt pretensioners
(front), airbags, interconnecting wiring and power sources. ( P. 41)
■ Front passenger detection senso r, passenger seat belt reminder and
warning buzzer
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front pas senger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warnin g 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 wa rning light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge becomes insufficient or the vol tage 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
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Push-
ing the tire pressur e warning reset switch will not turn off the tire pressure
warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural caus es
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural caus es such
as natural air leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure w ill turn off the
warning light (afte r a few minutes).
■When a tire is replace d with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure war ning valve
and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not
turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the s pare tire.
Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the ti re inflation
pressure. The tire pressure war ning light will go off after a few minutes.