Page 690 of 816

6907-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
WARNING
■Battery precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not swallow the battery. Doing so may cause chemical burns.
● A coin battery or button battery is used in the electronic key. If a battery is
swallowed, it may cause severe chemical burns in as little as 2 hours and
may result in death or serious injury.
● Keep away new and removed batteries from children.
● If the cover cannot be firmly closed, stop using the electronic key and stow
the key in the place where children cannot reach, and then contact any
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer as soon as possible.
● If you accidentally swallow a battery or put a battery into a part of your
body, get emergency medical attention immediately.
■ To prevent battery explosion or leakage of flammable liquid or gas
● Replace the battery with a new battery of the same type. If a wrong type of
battery is used, it may explode.
● Do not expose batteries to extremely low pressure due to high altitude or
extremely high temperatures.
● Do not burn, break or cut a battery.
■ Certification for the smart entry & start system
CAUTION
RISK OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN INCORRECT
TYPE.
DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS
NOTICE
■ For normal operation after replacing the battery
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents:
● Always work with dry hands.
Moisture may cause the battery to rust.
● Do not touch or move any other component inside the remote control.
● Do not bend either of the battery terminals.
Page 697 of 816
6977-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
Remove the cover end and
pull the cover toward the
front of the vehicle to make a
gap between the cover and
rear bumper.
Remove the clip inside of the cover, and remove the cover.
Pull out the center portion of
the clip to unlock using a flat-
head screwdriver, and then
pull it to remove.
Turn the bulb base counter-
clockwise, and then remove
the light bulb.
To remove the light bulb, insert a
hand from the gap between the
rear tire and rear bumper.
3
4
5
Page 703 of 816
703
8When trouble arises
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ........... 704
If your vehicle has to
be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 705
If the vehicle is trapped in
rising water ...................... 706
8-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If your vehicle needs
to be towed ...................... 707
If you think something is
wrong ............................... 713
If a warning light turns on
or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................. 714
If a warning message is
displayed ......................... 723
If you have a flat tire .......... 731
If the hybrid system will
not start............................ 749
If the electronic key does
not operate properly ........ 751
If the 12-volt battery is
discharged ....................... 755
If your vehicle
overheats ......................... 761
If the vehicle becomes
stuck ................................ 766
Page 707 of 816

7078-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle needs to be towed
In the following situations, it is not possible to be towed by another
vehicle using cables or chains, as the front wheels may be locked due
to the parking lock. Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer or commercial towing ser-
vice.
● There is a malfunction in the shift control system. (P. 376, 729)
● There is a malfunction in the immobilizer system. (P. 7 4 )
● There is a malfunction in the smart entry & start system. (P. 751)
● The 12-volt battery is discharged. (P. 755)
The following may indicate a problem with your hybrid transmission.
Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer,
or any reliable repairer or commercial towing service before towing.
● The hybrid system warning message is displayed and the vehicle
does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle
towed by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
Situations when it is not possible to be towed by another vehicle
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Page 708 of 816
7088-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
When using a flatbed truck to transport the vehicle, use tire strapping
belts. Refer to the owner’s manual of the flatbed truck for the tire
strapping method.
In order to suppress vehicle movement during transportation, set the
parking brake and turn the power switch off.
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency
towing eyelets. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for short distances at under 30 km/h (18 mph).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the frontFrom the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the
front wheels.
Using a flatbed truck
Emergency towing
Page 709 of 816

7098-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
To have your vehicle towed by another vehicle, the towing eyelet must
be installed to your vehicle. Install the towing eyelet using the follow-
ing procedure.
Take out the wheel nut wrench and towing eyelet. ( P. 670)
Remove the eyelet cover using
a flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by
hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut
wrench or hard metal bar.
When tightening with a wheel nut
wrench or hard metal bar, make
sure not to damage the vehicle
body.
Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the power switch to ON mode.
Turn off the Parking Support Brake function. (if equipped): P. 512
Emergency towing procedure
1
2
3
4
5
6
Page 710 of 816
7108-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Shift the shift position to N* and release the parking brake.
*: If the shift position cannot be changed or the current shift position can
not be confirmed, contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer or commercial towing ser-
vice before towing.
■ While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■ Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage compartment. ( P. 6 7 0 )
■ Towing eyelet installation hole on the rear of the vehicle
The hole is equipped for fastening the
vehicle while shipping. The towing eyelet
installed in this hole cannot be used for
towing another vehicle.
7
Page 711 of 816

7118-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When towing the vehicle
■ While towing
● When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eye-
lets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit peo-
ple, and cause serious damage.
● Do not turn the power switch off.
This may lead to an accident as the front wheels will be locked by the
parking lock.
■ Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
● The towing eyelets are only for the vehicle equipped with them. Do not use
the towing eyelets for another vehicle, and do not use the towing eyelets
for this vehicle on another vehicle.
● Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the
front wheels raised or with all four wheels
raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the front wheels contacting
the ground, the drivetrain and related
parts may be damaged or electricity gen-
erated by the operation of the motor may
cause a fire to occur depending on the
nature of the damage or malfunction.