
PRIUS c_U
Pictorial indexSearch by illustration
1For safety 
and securityMake sure to read through them
2Instrument 
clusterHow to read the gauges and meters, the variety of 
warning lights and indicators, etc.
3
Operation of 
each 
componentOpening and closing the doors and windows, 
adjustment before driving, etc.
4DrivingOperations and advice which are necessary for 
driving
5Audio systemOperating the audio system
6Interior featuresUsage of the interior features, etc.
7Maintenance 
and careCaring for your vehicle and maintenance 
procedures
8When trouble 
arisesWhat to do in case of malfunction or emergency
9Vehicle 
specificationsVehicle specifications, customizable features, etc.
10For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat 
belt and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian 
owners
IndexSearch by symptom
Search alphabetically 

TABLE OF CONTENTS6
PRIUS c_U7-1.  Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 400
Cleaning and protecting  the vehicle interior ........... 403
7-2.  Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 409
General maintenance ........ 412
Emission inspection and  maintenance (I/M) 
programs ......................... 415
7-3.  Do-it-yourself  maintenance
Do-it-yourself service  precautions ..................... 416
Hood.................................. 419
Positioning a floor jack ...... 421
Engine compartment ......... 422
12-volt battery ................... 431
Tires .................................. 435
Tire inflation pressure........ 444
Wheels .............................. 447
Air conditioning filter .......... 449
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 451
Checking and  replacing fuses ................ 454
Light bulbs ......................... 458 8-1.  Essential information
Emergency flashers ........... 468
If your vehicle has to be stopped in 
an emergency.................. 469
If the vehicle is trapped  in rising water .................. 471
8-2.  Steps to take in  an emergency
If your vehicle needs  to be towed ...................... 472
If you think something  is wrong ........................... 479
If a warning light turns  on or a warning buzzer 
sounds ............................. 480
If a warning message  is displayed...................... 488
If you have a flat tire .......... 505
If the hybrid system  will not start ..................... 518
If the electronic key does  not operate properly .......... 520
If the vehicle 12-volt 
battery is discharged ....... 522
If your vehicle overheats.... 529
If the vehicle  becomes stuck ................ 533
7Maintenance and care8When trouble arises 

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PRIUS c_U
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9-1. SpecificationsMaintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .......... 536
Fuel information ................ 545
Tire information ................. 548
9-2.  Customization Customizable features ...... 560
Items to initialize................ 565
Reporting safety defects  for U.S. owners ........................ 568
Seat belt instructions for  Canadian owners 
(in French) ............................... 569
SRS airbag instructions for  Canadian owners 
(in French) ............................... 571 What to do if... 
(Troubleshooting) ..................... 582
Alphabetical index ...................... 587
9Vehicle specifications
10For owners
Index
For  vehicles  with  a  navigation  s ystem,  refer  to  the  “NAVIGATION
SYSTEM  OWNER’S  MANUAL”  for  in formation  regarding  the  navi-
gation system. 

801-3. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U■
Sounds and vibrations sp ecific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehic le is able to
move with the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For safety, app ly the parking
brake and make sure to shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The  following  sounds  or  vibrations  may  occur  when  the  hybrid  sy stem  is
operating and are not a malfunction:
● Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds  may  be  heard  from  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  under  the
rear seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Relay operating sounds such as a snap or soft clank will be emi tted from the
hybrid  battery  (traction  battery),  under  the  rear  seats,  when  the  hybrid  sys-
tem is started or stopped.
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is open.
● Sounds  may  be  heard  from  the  transmission  when  the  gasoline  engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake  pedal is
depressed or as the accelerator pedal is released.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent on the side of the
lower part of the rear left seat.
■ Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System
In  the  following  cases,  the Acoustic  Vehicle Alerting  System  so und  may  be
difficult for pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in
the surrounding area to hear:
● When there is a lot of noise in the vicinity 
● When it is raining or during strong winds
● When in the area surrounding the rear of the vehicle, rather than in front of
the vehicle
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recyc ling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself. 

871-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction  battery) air intake vent
● Do not place objects that will block the air intake vent. When  the air intake
vent  is  blocked,  the  battery  operations  will  be  restricted  and  cause  a
decline in fuel consumption.
● Clean  the  air  intake  vent  regularly  to  prevent  the  hybrid  batte ry  (traction
battery) from overheating.
● Do  not  get  water  or  foreign  materials  in  the  air  intake  vent  as   this  may
cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction b attery).
● Do  not  carry  large  amounts  of  water  such  as  water  cooler  bottle s  in  the
vehicle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction batt ery), the battery
may be damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota deale r.
● There  is  a  filter  installed  to  the  air  intake  vent.  When  the  fi lter  remains
noticeably  dirty  even  after  cleaning  the  air  intake  vent,  filte r  cleaning  or
replacement  is  recommended.  For  information  regarding  filter  cl eaning  or
replacement, contact your Toyota dealer.
● If  “MAINTENANCE  REQUIRED  FOR  TRACTION  BATTERY  COOLING
PARTS  SEE  OWNER’S  MANUAL”  is  shown  on  the  multi-information  dis -
play, the air intake vent and filter may be clogged. Refer to P . 404 for infor-
mation on how to clean the air intake vent. 

88
PRIUS c_U
1-4. Theft deterrent system
Vehicles  without  a  smart  key  sys-
tem:  The  indicator  light  flashes
after  the  key  has  been  removed
from  the  power  switch  to  indicate
that the system is operating.
The  indicator  light  stops  flashing
after  the  registered  key  has  been
inserted  into  the  power  switch  to
indicate  that  the  system  has  been
canceled.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The indicator light flashes after the
power switch has been turned off to indicate that the system is  operat-
ing.
The indicator light stops flashing after the power switch has b een turned to
ACCESSORY or ON mode to indicate that the system has been canceled.
■ System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type immobilizer system.
■ Conditions affecting operation
Depending  on  the  surrounding  environment  and  conditions,  the  im mobilizer
system  may  not  operate  properly.  This  may  prevent  the  hybrid  sy stem  from
starting. ( P. 143)
Immobilizer system
The  vehicle’s  keys  ha ve  built-in  transponder  chips  that  prevent
the hybrid system from starting if a key has not been previousl y
registered in the vehic le’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehi-
cle.
This  system  is  designed  to  help  prevent  vehicle  theft  but  does
not guarantee absolute security against all vehicle thefts.
: If equipped 

399
7Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U7-1.  Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 400
Cleaning and protecting  the vehicle interior ........... 403
7-2.  Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 409
General maintenance........ 412
Emission inspection and  maintenance (I/M) 
programs......................... 415
7-3.  Do-it-yourself  maintenance
Do-it-yourself service  precautions ..................... 416
Hood ................................. 419
Positioning a floor jack ...... 421
Engine compartment ......... 422
12-volt battery ................... 431
Tires .................................. 435
Tire inflation pressure ....... 444
Wheels .............................. 447
Air conditioning filter.......... 449
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 451
Checking and  replacing fuses ................ 454
Light bulbs......................... 458 

400
PRIUS c_U
7-1. Maintenance and care
●Working  from  top  to  bottom,  liberally  apply  water  to  the  vehicl e
body,  wheel  wells  and  underside  of  the  vehicle  to  remove  any  di rt
and dust.
● Wash  the  vehicle  body  using  a  sponge  or  soft  cloth,  such  as  a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughl y
with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the wate rproof coating deteriorates.
If  water  does  not  bead  on  a  clean  surface,  apply  wax  when  the  vehicle
body is cool.
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors before washing the vehicle. Start washing from  the front of
the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors before driving.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle su rface and
harm your vehicle's paint.
● In certain automatic car washes, the rear spoiler may interfere with machine
operation.  This  may  prevent  t he  vehicle  from  being  cleaned  properly  or
result in damage to the rear spoiler.
■ High pressure car washes
As  water  may  enter  the  cabin,  do  not  bring  the  nozzle  tip  near  the  gaps
around the doors or perimeter of the windows, or spray these ar eas continu-
ously.
■ When using a car wash (vehicles with a smart key system)
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effective
range,  the  door  may  lock  and  unlock  repeatedly.  In  that  case,  f ollow  the  fol-
lowing correction procedures to wash the vehicle:
● Place the electronic key in a location 6 ft. (2 m) or more away  from the vehi-
cle. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
● Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the sm art key sys-
tem. ( P. 142)
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in
prime condition: