
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 

1734-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■ When starting off on a uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( P. 265)
■ For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in  mind  that hybrid  vehicles  are similar  to  conventional vehicles,  and  it
is necessary to refrain from activities such as sudden accelera tion. (P. 271)
■ Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be  reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
● Refrain  from  high  speeds  when  driving  on  an  expressway  in  the  r ain,
because there may be  a layer of  water  between the tires  and  the  road sur-
face, preventing the steering  and brakes from operating properl y.
■ Restraining the hybrid system o utput (Brake Override System)
● When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same  time, the
hybrid system output may be restrained.
● A  warning  message  is  displayed  on  the  multi-information  display  while the
system is operating. ( P. 497)
■ Restraining sudden start  (Drive-Start Control)
● When  the  following  unusual  operation  is  performed,  the  hybrid  s ystem  out-
put may be restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted (from R to D, D to R, N to R,  P to D, or P to
R) with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display. (D includes B position) ( P. 497)
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the veh icle is in
reverse.
● While  Drive-Start  Control  is  being  activated,  your  vehicle  may  have  trouble
escaping  from  the  mud  or  fresh  snow.  In  such  a  case,  deactivate  TRAC
( P. 266) to cancel Drive-Start Control so that the vehicle may b ecome able
to escape from the mud or fresh snow.
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3 

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. 

1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): (P.   5 3 6 )
Total load capacity means the co mbined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the max imum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towi ng a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading inform ation label.
(  P. 444)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle  load  limits  include  total  load  capacity,  seating  capaci ty,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It  may  not  only  cause  damage  to  the  tires,  but  also  degrade  steering
and braking ability, res ulting in an accident. 

2334-5. Toyota Safety Sense C
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
●If the brake pedal is being depressed, the system may determine  that the
driver  is  taking  evasive  action  and  possibly  delay  the  operation  timing  of
the pre-collision braking function.
● While driving, such as when driving through a railway crossing, the system
may determine that the possibility of a collision with an objec t, such as rail-
way crossing barrier, is high and operate the pre-collision bra king function. 
To move the vehicle in an emergency, such as if the system operates in a
railway  crossing,  perform  the  following  operations  and  then  take  the  nec-
essary measures to ensure your safety.
• If the vehicle has been stopped, depress the accelerator pedal.
• If the vehicle is decelerating, fully depress the accelerator pedal. 
(P. 236)
• Disable the pre-collision system. ( P. 234)
■ When to disable the pre-collision system
In  the  following  situations,  disable  the  system,  as  it  may  not  operate  prop-
erly, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or ser ious injury:
● When the vehicle is being towed
● When your vehicle is towing another vehicle
● When  transporting  the  vehicle  via  truck,  boat,  train  or  similar   means  of
transportation
● When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the hybrid system on  and the tires
are allowed to rotate freely
● When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chass is dyna-
mometer  or  speedometer  tester,  or  when  using  an  on  vehicle  whee l  bal-
ancer
● If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehi-
cle has been in an accident or is malfunctioning
● When the vehicle is driven in a sporty manner or off-road
● When the tires are not properly inflated
● When tires of a size other than specified are installed
● When tire chains are installed
● When a compact spare tire or an emergency tire puncture repair  kit is used 

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 

2694-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● The  limits  of  tire  gripping  performance  have  been  exceeded  (suc h  as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or s lick roads.
■ Stopping  distance when  the ABS   is  operating  may  exceed  that  of  nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain  a  safe  distance  from  the  vehicle  in  front  of  you,  espe cially  in  the
following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■ TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional  control  and  power  may  not  be  achievable  while  driving  on  slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating. 
Drive  the  vehicle  carefully  in  conditions  where  stability  and  p ower  may  be
lost.
■ Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
● Do  not  overly  rely  on  hill-start  assist  control.  Hill-start  ass ist  control  may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered wit h ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not inte nded to hold the
vehicle  stationary  for  an  extended  period  of  time.  Do  not  attempt  to  use
hill-start  assist  control  to  hold  the  vehicle  on  an  incline,  as   doing  so  may
lead to an accident.
■ When the TRAC/ABS/VSC are activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator  light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off
Be  especially  careful  and  drive  at  a  speed  appropriate  to  the  r oad  condi-
tions. As  these  are  the  systems  to  help  ensure  vehicle  stabilit y  and  driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.