Page 436 of 596

4367-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
■When to replace your vehicle's tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough t o
expose the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or c annot be properly repaired due to the size
or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your Toyota dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire press ure warning valve and transmitt er is not reg-
istered, the tire pressure warni ng system will not work properly. A f t e r d r i v -
ing for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blink s for 1
minute and stays on to indi cate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified techni cian even
if it has seldom or never been u sed or damage is not obvious.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation
pressure checks. Make sure to chec k tire inflation pressure as part of
your routine of daily vehicle checks.
■Low profile tires (vehicles with P195/50R16 tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire gr ip perfor-
mance will be reduced on snowy and /or icy roads when compared to
standard tires. Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on sno wy and/or
icy roads and drive carefully at a speed appropriate for road a nd weather
conditions.
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 444 of 596
4447-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly in flated, the following conditions may occur
which could lead to an accident r esulting in death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overh eated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater possibility of tire damage while driving (due to road hazards,
expansion joints, sharp ed ges in the road, etc.)
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusti ng tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
If a valve cap is not installed , dirt or moisture may get into the valve and
cause an air leak, resulting in decreased tire inflation pressu re.
Page 447 of 596
4477-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the power switch to the
“LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key syst em: Turn the power switch off.
Open the glove box. Slide off
the damper.
Push in each side of the glove
box to disconnect the upper
claws.
Pull out the glove box and dis-
connect the lower claws.
Air conditioning filter
The air conditioning filter must b e changed regularly to maintain
air conditioning efficiency.
Replacement method
1
2
3
4
Page 448 of 596
4487-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
Remove the filter cover.Unlock the filter cover.
Move the filter cover in the
direction of the arrow, and
then pull it out of the claws.
Remove the air conditioning fil-
ter and replace it with a new
one.
The “ UP” mark shown on the filter
should be pointing up.
■ Checking interval
Inspect and replace the air conditioning filter according to th e maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, more frequent clean-
ing or early replacement may be required. (For scheduled maintenance infor-
mation, please refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “O wner's
Manual Supplement”.)
■ If air flow from the ven ts decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if nece ssary.
5
1
2
6
NOTICE
■When using the air conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause da mage to the
system.
Page 476 of 596
4768-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● is shown on the multi-information display
● 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, stumb ling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touch es
the floor
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
Page 522 of 596

5228-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U
■Starting the hybrid system when the 12-volt battery is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started by push-starting.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the hybrid s ystem is off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is running
at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic .
■ Precautions when the 12-volt batte ry is discharged (vehicles with a
smart key system)
● In some cases, it may not be possible to unlock the doors using the smart
key system immediately after the 12-volt battery has been disco nnected and
reconnected. Use the wireless remote control or the mechanical key to lock
or unlock the doors.
● The hybrid system may not start on the first attempt after the 12-volt battery
has recharged but will start normally after the second attempt. This is not a
malfunction.
● The power switch mode is memorized by the vehicle. When the 12- volt bat-
tery is reconnected, the system will return to the mode it was in before the
12-volt battery was discharged. Before disconnecting the 12-volt battery,
turn the power switch off.
If the power switch was in ACCESSORY or ON mode before the 12-volt bat-
tery was discharged, the audio system and/or air conditioning system may
operate when the 12-volt battery is reconnected.
■ When the 12-volt battery is removed or discharged
● Information stored in the ECU is cleared. When the 12-volt batt ery is
depleted, have the vehicle inspected at your Toyota dealer.
● Some systems may require initialization. ( P. 563)
■ When removing the 12-vo lt battery terminals
When the 12-volt battery terminals are removed, the information stored in the
ECU is cleared. Before removing the 12-volt battery terminals, contact your
Toyota dealer.
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
The electricity stored in the 12-volt battery will discharge gr adually even when
the vehicle is not in use, due to natural discharge and the dra ining effects of
certain electrical appliances. If the vehicle is left for a lon g time, the 12-volt
battery may discharge, and the hybrid system may be unable to s tart. (The
12-volt battery recharges automatically while the hybrid system is operating.)
Page 526 of 596
5268-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U
● ( P. 486) is shown on the mu lti-information display.
● The hybrid system overheat warning message ( P. 489) is shown
on the multi-information display.
● Steam comes out f rom under the hood.
■If is shown on the mult i-information display
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air conditioning
system, and then stop the hybrid system.
If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
After the hybrid system has
cooled down sufficiently,
inspect the hoses and radia-
tor core (radiator) for any
leaks. Radiator
Cooling fan
If a large amount of coolant
leaks, immediately contact
your Toyota dealer.
If your vehicle overheats
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
Correction procedures
1
2
3
1
2