Page 566 of 816

5665-6. Driving tips
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Winter driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt bat-
tery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
●Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle
Page 568 of 816
5685-6. Driving tips
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the rear
tires.
●Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after
driving 0.5 - 1.0 km (1/4 - 1/2 mile).
●Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.
■Consumption of fuel and electricity
In cold temperatures, resistance of the parts of a vehicle (transmission, tires,
etc.) generally increases, resulting in increase of energy consumption. As a
result, fuel economy is likely to decrease.
Consumption of fuel and electricity of this vehicle is also likely to become
worse in cold temperatures.
Page 569 of 816

5695-6. Driving tips
5
Driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the specified size.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive at speeds in excess of the speed limit or the speed limit spec-
ified for the snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 50 km/h (30 mph), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
● Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing Assist).
■ When parking the vehicle
When parking the vehicle without applying the parking brake, make sure to
chock the wheels. If you do not chock the wheels, the vehicle may move
unexpectedly, possibly resulting in an accident.
NOTICE
■ Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer or legitimate
tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the opera-
tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■ Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.
Page 615 of 816
615
7Maintenance and care
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior .......... 616
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior ........... 622
7-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements.................... 628
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions ...................... 631
Hood .................................. 634
Positioning a floor jack ....... 636
Engine compartment.......... 637
Tires ................................... 650
Tire inflation pressure ........ 665
Wheels ............................... 667
Replacing the tire ............... 669
Air conditioning filter .......... 681
Wiper insert
replacement ..................... 685
Electronic key battery ........ 688
Checking and replacing
fuses ................................ 691
Light bulbs ......................... 695
Page 629 of 816

6297-2. Maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
■Where to go for maintenance service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition, Toyota recom-
mends that maintenance service operations as well as other inspections and
repairs be carried out by authorized Toyota retailers or Toyota authorized
repairers, or any reliable repairers. For repairs and services covered by your
warranty, please visit an authorized Toyota retailer or repairer, who will use
genuine Toyota parts in repairing any difficulties you may encounter. There
can also be advantages in utilizing authorized Toyota retailers or repairers for
non-warranty repairs and services, as members of the Toyota network will be
able to expertly assist you with any difficulties you may encounter.
Your Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer will
perform all of the scheduled maintenance on your vehicle reliably and eco-
nomically due to their experience with Toyota vehicles.
■Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs
that indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
●Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
●Appreciable loss of power
●Strange engine noises
●A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air condi-
tioning system after use is normal.)
●Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked
immediately.)
●Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
●Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
●Strange noises related to suspension movement
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost
touches the floor, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
●Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal (P. 716, 761)
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer as soon as pos-
sible. Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
Page 650 of 816
6507-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Tires
Check if the treadwear indicators are showing on the tires. Also check
the tires for uneven wear, such as excessive wear on one side of the
tread.
New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator
The location of treadwear indicators is shown by the “TWI” or “” mark,
etc., molded into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and help
extend tire life, Toyota recom-
mends that tire rotation is carried
out approximately every 10000 km
(6000 miles).
Do not fail to initialize the tire pres-
sure warning system after tire rota-
tion.
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
Checking tires
Tire rotation
1
2
3
Front
Page 651 of 816

6517-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
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 driver is
warned by a warning light. (P. 718)
◆Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
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 ID
codes registered by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota autho-
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer. (P. 653)
◆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 infla-
tion pressures
●When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when chang-
ing traveling speed or load weight
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
Tire pressure warning system
Page 653 of 816

6537-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
◆Registering ID codes
The tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a
unique ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, it is necessary to register the ID code. Have the ID code
registered by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose
the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage.
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage.
If you are not sure, consult with any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not regis-
tered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for
about 10 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and stays
on to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it
has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pres-
sure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine
of daily vehicle checks.
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
■Low profile tires (vehicles with 215/45R17 tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip performance
will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to standard tires.
Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or icy roads and drive
carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions.