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4237-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Used engine oil
● Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so c are
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewe rs or onto the
ground. Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for
information concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the v ehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
Page 427 of 596
4277-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
Disconnect the claws and
remove the service cover.
Remove the reservoir cap.
Add brake fluid slowly while checking the fluid level.
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss o f braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
2
3
WARNING
■ When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damag e
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean
water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
NOTICE
■ If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as t he brake pads
wear out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serio us problem.
4
Page 441 of 596

4417-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves,
transmitters and tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pres-
sure warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not hand led
correctly.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps othe r than
those specified. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmi t-
ters
When a tire is repaired with liqui d sealants, the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sea lant is
used, contact your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon
as possible. Make sure to replac e the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter when replacing the tire. ( P. 4 3 4 )
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when drivi ng on roads with loose surfaces or pot-
holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing
the cushioning ability of the t ires. In addition, driving on ro ugh roads
may cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicl e’s
wheels and body.
■Low profile tires (vehicles with P195/50R16 tires)
Low profile tires may cause gre ater damage than usual to the tire wheel
when sustaining impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay at tention
to the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are und er-inflated,
they may be damaged more severely.
●Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards. Fail-
ure to do so may l ead to severe tire and wheel damage.
■If tire inflation pressure of e ach tire becomes low while drivi ng
Do not continue driving, or your t ires and/or wheels may be ruined.
Page 446 of 596

4467-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in
the Owner's Manual, as this may result in a loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed fo r a
tubeless tire. Doing so may resu lt in an accident, causing death or seri-
ous injury.
■When installing the wheel nuts
●Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tight ened,
leading to bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or g rease can
cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel may fall off, caus ing an
accident and resulting in death or serious injury. Remove any oil or
grease from the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warn ing valves and transmitters
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced b y your
Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to
purchase your tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at your
Toyota dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine Toyota wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work prop erly
with non-genuine wheels.
●Be sure to install the wheel nuts with
the tapered ends facing inward.
Installing the nuts with the tapered
ends facing outward can cause the
wheel to break and eventually cause
the wheel to come off while driving,
which could lead to an accident
resulting in death o r serious injury.Tapered
portion
Page 469 of 596
469
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
● A warning message for the hybrid system is shown on the multi-
information display and the vehicle does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer o r commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type t ruck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all stat e/
provincial and local laws.
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Page 514 of 596

5148-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■Be careful when driving over bumps with the compact spare tire
installed on the vehicle.
The vehicle becomes lower when driving with the compact spare tire
compared to when driving with standard tires. Be careful when d riving
over uneven road surfaces.
■Driving with tire chains and the compact spare tire
Do not fit tire chains to the compact spare tire.
Tire chains may damage the vehicle body and adversely affect dr iving
performance.
■When replacing the tires
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire p ressure
warning valve and transmitter may be damaged if not handled cor rectly.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmi t-
ters
When a tire is repaired with liqui d sealants, the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sea lant is
used, contact your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon
as possible. Make sure to replac e the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter when replacing the tire. ( P. 4 3 4 )
Page 544 of 596

5449-1. Specifications
PRIUS c_U■
Non-recommendation of the use of blended gasoline
●If you use gasohol in your vehicle, be sure that it has an octa ne rating no
lower than 87.
● Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline containing methan ol.
■ Non-recommendation of the use of gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel
containing MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely
affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this
happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service.
■ If your engine knocks
●Consult your Toyota dealer.
● You may occasionally notice light knocking for a short time whi le accelerat-
ing or driving uphill. This is normal and there is no need for concern.
●
Use only gasoline containing up to 15%
ethanol.
DO NOT use any flex-fuel or gasoline
that could contain more than 15% etha-
nol, including from any pump labeled
E30, E50, E85 (which are only some
examples of fuel containing more than
15% ethanol).
DO NOT use gasoline contain-
ing more than 15% ethanol.
(30% ethanol)
(50% ethanol)
(85% ethanol)
Page 551 of 596

5519-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
PRIUS c_U
This information has been prepared in accordance with regulations
issued by the National Highway Tr affic Safety Administration of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
It provides the purchasers and/or prospective purchasers of Toyota
vehicles with info rmation on uniform ti re quality grading.
Your Toyota dealer will help answer any questions you may have as
you read this information.
■DOT quality grades
All passenger vehicle tires must conform to Federal Safety Requ ire-
ments in addition to these grades. Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder an d
maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
■Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a s peci-
fied government t est course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1 - 1 /2)
times as well on the governmen t course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual condi -
tions of their use. Performance ma y differ significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and diff erences
in road characteristics and climate.
■Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C ,
and they represent the tire's a bility to stop on wet pavement a s
measured under controlled conditions on specified government te st
surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have p oor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on b raking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turn-
ing) traction.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading