
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 

2404-5. Toyota Safety Sense C
PRIUS c_U• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the camera sensor
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds
• When driving on a hill
• When  there  is  a  laser  reflecting  object  (manhole  cover,  reflec
tive  plate,
etc.), steps, or a protrusion in front of your vehicle
• If the radar sensor or camera sensor is misaligned
● In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking fo rce may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If  the  braking  functions  cannot  operate  to  their  full  extent,  such  as  when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If  the  vehicle  is  not  properly  maintained  (brakes  or  tires  are   excessively
worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When  the  vehicle  is  being  driven  on  a  gravel  road  or  other  sli ppery  sur-
face
■ If VSC is disabled
●If VSC is disabled ( P. 267), the pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision
braking functions are also disabled.
● The  PCS  warning  light  will  turn  on  and  “VSC  TURNED  OFF  PRE-COLL I-
SION BRAKE SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE” will be displayed on the multi-i nfor-
mation display. • If  the  front  of  the  vehicle  is  raised  or
lowered 

2704-6. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Replacing tires
Make  sure  that  all  tires  are  of  the  specified  size,  brand,  trea d  pattern  and
total  load  capacity.  In  addition,  make  sure  that  the  tires  are  inflated  to  the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if di fferent tires
are installed on the vehicle.
Contact  your  Toyota  dealer  for  further  information  when  replaci ng  tires  or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspensio n will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfuncti on. 

2724-7. Driving tips
PRIUS c_U
◆Delays
Repeated  acceleration  and  deceleration,  as  well  as  long  waits  at
traffic  lights,  will  lead  to  bad  fuel  economy.  Check  traffic  re ports
before leaving and avoid delays as much as possible. When drivi ng
in a traffic jam, gently release the brake pedal to allow the v ehicle to
move  forward  slightly  while  avoiding  overuse  of  the  accelerator
pedal. Doing so can help control  excessive gasoline consumption.
◆Highway driving
Control and maintain the vehicle at a constant speed. Before st op-
ping  at  a  toll  booth  or  similar,  allow  plenty  of  time  to  releas e  the
accelerator  and  gently  apply  the  brakes. A  greater  amount  of  el ec-
trical energy can be regenerated when slowing down.
◆Air conditioning
Use  the  air  conditioning  only  when  necessary.  Doing  so  can  help
reduce excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: When the ambient tempe rature is high, use the recircu-
lated  air  mode.  Doing  so  will  help  to  reduce  the  burden  on  the  air
conditioning system and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasolin e engine will not automatically cut out
until it and the interior of the vehicle are warm, it will cons ume fuel.
Also, fuel consumption  can be improved by avoiding overuse of t he
heater.
◆Checking tire inflation pressure
Make  sure  to  check  the  tire  inflation  pressure  frequently.  Impr oper
tire inflation pressure can cause poor fuel economy.
Also, as snow tires can cause large amounts of friction, their use on
dry  roads can lead to poor  fuel economy. Use tires that are  app ro-
priate for the season.
◆Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage will lead  to poor fuel economy. Avoid carry-
ing unnecessary luggage. Installing  a large roof rack will also cause
poor fuel economy. 

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 

416
PRIUS c_U
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself  ser vice precautions
If  you  perform  maintenance  by  yourself,  be  sure  to  follow  the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery condition  (P. 431) • Grease
• Conventional wrench 
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P. 428)
• FMVSS  No.116  DOT  3  or  SAE  J1703  brake
fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/power  control
unit coolant level (P. 426)
• “Toyota  Super  Long  Life  Coolant”  or  a  similar
high  quality  ethylene  glycol  based  non-sili-
cate,  non-amine,  non-nitrite  and  non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid tech-
nology
For the U.S.A.: 
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada: 
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level (P. 423)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 454)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs (P. 458)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as
original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and condenser
(P. 428)
Tire inflation pressure
( P. 444)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source 

4367-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire  pressure  warning  valves  and   transmitters  to  detect  low  tire  infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise.
If  the  tire  pressure  drops  below  a  predetermined  level,  the  dri ver  is
warned by a warning light. ( P. 483)
◆Installing tire pressure warn ing valves and transmitters
When  replacing  tires  or  wheels,  tire  pressure  warning  valves  an d
transmitters must also be installed.
When  new  tire  pressure  warning  valves  and  transmitters  are
installed,  new  ID  codes  must  be  registered  in  the  tire  pressure
warning  computer  and  the  tire  pressure  warning  system  must  be
initialized.  Have  tire  pressure  warning  valve  and  transmitter  I D
codes registered by  your Toyota dealer. ( P. 437)
◆Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■The tire pressure warning system  must be initialized in the fol-
lowing circumstances:
● When  rotating  front  and  rear  tires  which  have  different  tire  in fla-
tion pressures
● When changing the tire size
When the tire pressure warning sy stem is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set  as the benchmark pressure.
■How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe place  and turn the power switch (vehi-
cles without a smart key system) or the power switch (vehicles
with a smart key system) off.
Initialization cannot be perfo rmed while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire i nflation
pressure level. ( P. 543)
Make  sure  to  adjust  the  tire  pre ssure  to  the  specified  cold  tire infla-
tion  pressure  level.  The  tire  pressure  warning  system  will  oper ate
based on this pr essure level.
Tire pressure warning system
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