Page 425 of 600

4257-3. 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 429 of 600
4297-3. 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 443 of 600

4437-3. 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 6 )
■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 448 of 600

4487-3. 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 472 of 600
472
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 517 of 600

5178-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
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 6 ) 
     
        
        Page 546 of 600

5469-1. 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 553 of 600

5539-1. 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