
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 

17Pictorial index
PRIUS c_UWindshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 214
Precautions against winter season  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 274
Fuel filler door  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 221
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 221
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 538
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 435
Tire size/inflation pressure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . P. 543
Winter tires/tire chain  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . P. 274
Checking/rotation/tire pressur e warning system . . . . . . . . .P. 435
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . P. 505
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 419
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 419
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 539
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 529
Headlights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 208
Parking lights/front turn signal lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 206, 208
Side turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 206
Front fog lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 212
Front side marker lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 208
Stop lights/tail lights /rear side marker lights/
rear turn signal lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 206, 208
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 202
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 208
4
5
6
7
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving  
(Replacing method: P. 458, Watts: P. 544)
*: If equipped
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 

1022. Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
This  vehicle  is  not  installed  with  an  engine  coolant  temperatur e  gauge.
Instead,    is  shown  on  the  multi-information  display.  The  engine  may
be  overheating  if    is  shown  on  the  multi-information  display.  I n  this
case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. ( P. 529) 

1754-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turni ng the hybrid
system  off  while  driving  will  not  cause  loss  of  steering  or  bra king  control,
however,  power  assist  to  the  steering  will  be  lost.  This  will  m ake  it  more
difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop t he vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: P. 469
● Use  engine  braking  (shift  position  B)  to  maintain  a  safe  speed  when  driv-
ing down a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat  and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 202)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal sp eed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicl e has high-
speed  capability  tires.  Driving  over  85  mph  (140  km/h)  may  resu lt  in  tire
failure,  loss  of  control  and  possible  injury.  Be  sure  to  consult  a  tire  dealer
to  determine  whether  the  tires  on  your  vehicle  are  high-speed  c apability
tires or not before driving at such speeds. 

1774-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accel-
erate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long t ime. 
If  such  a  situation  cannot  be  avoided,  park  the  vehicle  in  an  o pen  space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away,  always keep
depressing  the  brake  pedal  while  stopped  with  the  “READY”  indic ator  is
illuminated, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent ac cidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the  brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped m ay cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby. 

2684-6. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS c_U■
ECB operating sound
ECB  operating  sound  may  be  heard  in  the  following  cases,  but  it   does  not
indicate that a malfunction has occurred.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brak e pedal
is operated.
● Motor  sound  of  the  brake  system  heard  from  the  front  part  of  th e  vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or t wo min-
utes passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring so und) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The  effectiveness  of  the  EPS  system  is  reduced  to  prevent  the  s ystem  from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an exten ded period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should thi s occur, refrain
from  excessive  steering  input  or  stop  the  vehicle  and  turn  the  hybrid  system
off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ Electric power steering system wa rning light (warning buzzer)
P. 484
■ Automatic reactivation  of TRAC and VSC systems
After  turning  the  TRAC  and  VSC  systems  off,  the  systems  will  be   automati-
cally re-enabled in the following situations:
● When the power switch is turned to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart  key  system)  or  the  power  switch  is  turned  off  (vehicles  with  a  smart
key system)
● If  only  the  TRAC  system  is  turned  off,  the  TRAC  will  turn  on  wh en  vehicle
speed increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-e nabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases. 

590Alphabetical index
PRIUS c_U
Eco drive mode ........................ 203
Electric power steering ........... 265
Electronic keyIf the electronic key does not operate properly ........... 520
Emergency flashers Switch ................................... 468
Emergency, in case of
If a warning buzzer sounds ........................ 480, 488
If a warning light 
turns on .............................. 480
If a warning message is  displayed ............................ 488
If the electronic key does  not operate properly ........... 520
If the hybrid system will 
not start .............................. 518
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ................................... 533
If the vehicle 12-volt  battery is discharged .......... 522
If the vehicle is trapped 
in rising water ..................... 471
If you have a flat tire  ............ 505
If you lose your keys ............. 122
If you think something is  wrong.................................. 479
If your vehicle has to  be stopped in an 
emergency.......................... 469
If your vehicle needs to  be towed ............................. 472
If your vehicle overheats ....... 529 Engine
Compartment ........................ 422
Hood ..................................... 419
How to start the hybrid system ....... ................. 188, 192
Identification number ............ 537
If the hybrid system will  not start .............................. 518
Ignition switch ............... 188, 192
Overheating .......................... 529
Power switch ................ 188, 192
Engine coolant Capacity................................ 540
Checking............................... 426
Preparing and checking before winter ...................... 274
Engine oil
Capacity................................ 539
Checking............................... 423
Preparing and checking before winter ...................... 274
Engine/power control unit  coolant
Capacity................................ 540
Checking............................... 426
Preparing and checking before winter ...................... 274
EPS ........................................... 265
EV drive mode ......................... 199
Event data recorder................... 11
Exclusive jump  starting terminal .................... 522
E 

594Alphabetical index
PRIUS c_U
MaintenanceDo-it-yourself 
maintenance ....................... 416
Emission inspection and  maintenance (I/M) 
programs ............................ 415
General maintenance ........... 412
Maintenance data ................. 536
Maintenance requirements ... 409
Meter Instrument panel light 
control................................. 101
Meters ..................................... 99
Microphone .............................. 333
Mirrors
Inside rear view mirror .......... 160
Outside rear view mirror defogger ............................. 378
Outside rear view mirrors...... 161
Vanity mirrors........................ 393
Moon roof ................................. 167
MP3 disc ................................... 300
Multi-information display ........ 103
Navigation system
*
Noise from under vehicle............ 8 Odometer ................................. 100
Oil
Engine oil .............................. 539
Opener Back door ............................. 136
Fuel filler door ....................... 221
Hood ..................................... 419
Outside rear view mirrors
Adjusting and folding ............ 161
Defogger ............................... 378
Outside temperature 
display.................................... 101
Overheating, Hybrid  system.................................... 529
Parking brake........................... 207
Parking lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 460
Switch ................................... 208
Wattage ................................ 544
PCS (Pre-Collision system) .... 231 PCS (Pre-Collision 
system) switch...... .............. 234
Warning light......................... 482
Personal lights Switch ................................... 386
Wattage ................................ 544
Power outlet ............................. 394
Power switch ................... 188, 192
Power windows ....................... 163
Pre-Collision system (PCS) .... 231 PCS (Pre-Collision 
system) switch...... .............. 234
Warning light......................... 482
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