
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
5436-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using  the gauge gradations.
If the tire inflation pressure is not at the recommended level,  adjust
the pressure.
If you add too much air, press the center of the valve to defla te.
After  completing  the  tire  inflation  pressure  measurement  and
adjustment, apply soapy water to  the valve and check for leakage.
Put the tire valve cap back on.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation p ressure every two weeks, or at least once
a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrec t tire inflation pressure may result in th e following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor handling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating , have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
Inspection and adjustment procedure
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6 

551
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Cleaning the hybrid batter y (traction bat-
ter y) air intake vent and filter
Remove  the  dust  from  the  air
intake  vent  with  a  vacuum
cleaner, etc.
Make sure to only use a vacuum to
suck  out  dust  and  clogs.  Attempt-
ing  to  blow  out  dust  and  clogs
using  an  airgun,  etc.  may  push  it
into the air intake vent. ( P.   5 5 5 )
If  dust  and  clogs  cannot  be  completely  removed  with  the  air  int ake
vent cover installed, remove t he cover and clean the filter.
Turn the power switch off.
Using  a  Phillips  screwdriver,
remove the clip.
To  prevent  the  fuel  economy  from  being  affected,  visually
inspect  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  air  intake  vent  p eri-
odically for dust and clogs. If i t is dusty or clogged or if “Mainte-
nance  required  for  Traction  batt ery  cooling  parts  See  owner’s
manual” is shown on the multi-info rmation display, clean the air
intake vent using the  following procedures:
Cleaning the air intake vent
If dust and clogs cannot  be completely removed
1
2 

554
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Scheduled maintenance of the air intake vent is necessary when
In  some  situations  such  as  when  the  vehicle  is  used  frequently  or  in  heavy
traffic or dusty areas, the air intake vent may need to be clea ned more regu-
larly.  For  details,  refer  to  the  “Scheduled  Maintenance  Guide”  or  “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”.
■ Cleaning the air intake vent
●Dust in the air intake vent may interfere with the cooling of t he hybrid battery
(traction  battery).  If  charging/discharging  of  the  hybrid  batte ry  (traction  bat-
tery) becomes limited, the distance that the vehicle can be dri ven using the
electric  motor  (traction  motor)  may  be  reduced  and  the  fuel  eco nomy  may
be reduced. Inspect and clean the air intake vent periodically.
● Improper  handling  of  the  air  intake  vent  cover  and  filter  may  result  in  dam-
age to them. If you have any concerns about cleaning the filter , contact your
Toyota dealer.
■ If  “Maintenance  required  for  Traction  battery  cooling  parts  See   owner’s
manual” is shown on the mu lti-information display
● If  this  warning  message  is  shown  on  the  multi-information  displ ay,  remove
the air intake vent cover and clean the filter. ( P. 551)
● After cleaning the air intake vent, start the hybrid system and check that the
warning message is no longer shown.
It may take approximately 20 minutes after the hybrid system is  started until
the  warning  message  disappears.  If  the  warning  message  does  not   disap-
pear, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■ When cleaning the air intake vent
● Do  not  use  water  or  other  liquids  to  clean  the  air  intake  vent.   If  water  is
applied to the hybrid battery (traction battery) or other components, a mal-
function or fire may occur.
● Before cleaning the air intake vent, make sure to turn the power switch off
to stop the hybrid system.
■ When removing the air intake vent cover
Do not touch the service plug located near the air intake vent. ( P. 91) 

5947-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
Slip indicator lightIndicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system;
• The TRAC system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by  your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
The light will flash when the ABS, VSC or TRAC system is
operating.
High coolant temperature warning light • When the light flashes:
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high 
The  light  changes  from  a  flashing  to  a  solid  light  when
the temperature further increases
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. ( P. 656)
• When the light comes on without flashing: Indicates  a  malfunction  in  the  exhaust  heat  recirculator
system
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by  your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
PKSB OFF indicator
Indicates a malfunction in the Parking Support Brake func-
tion
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
The  warning  light  will  operate  as  follows,  even  when  the
system is not malfunctioning:
• The  light  will  come  on  when  the  Parking  Support  Brake function is turned off ( P. 375)
• The  light  will  come  on  when  the  Parking  Support  Brake function is operating ( P. 379)
• The light will flash when the system cannot be temporar- ily used ( P. 383)
Open door warning light (warning buzzer)*3
Indicates that a door is not fully closed
 Check that all the doors are closed.
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates  that  remaining  fuel  is  approximately  1.7  gal.
(6.4 L, 1.4 Imp.gal.) or less
 Refuel the vehicle.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions 

5987-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
■SRS warning light
This  warning  light  system monitors  the  airbag  sensor  assembly,  front  impact
sensors,  side  impact  sensors  (front  door),  side  impact  sensors  (front),  side
impact sensors (rear), driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front  passenger occu-
pant classification system (ECU and sensors), “AIR BAG ON” indi cator light,
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s seat belt buck le switch, seat
belt pretensioners, airbags, interconnecting wiring and power s ources. 
( P. 35)
■ Front  passenger  detection  sensor,  seat  belt  reminder  and  warnin g
buzzer
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front pas senger detec-
tion sensor may cause  the warning light to  flash and the warnin g  buzzer  to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
● If  a  cushion  is  placed  on  the  seat,  the  sensor  may  not  detect  a  passenger,
and the warning light may not operate properly.
■ Electric power steering system wa rning light (warning buzzer)
When  the  12-volt  battery  charge  becomes  insufficient  or  the  vol tage  tempo-
rarily  drops,  the  electric  power   steering  system  warning  light  may  come  on
and the warning buzzer may sound.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off after several drivin g trips.
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off even after several trips, con-
tact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible. 

6017-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
7
When trouble arises
WARNING
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when  cold  and  inflated  to  the  inflation  pressure  recommended  by the
vehicle  manufacturer  on  the  vehicle  placard  or  tire  inflation  p ressure
label  (tire  and  load  information  label).  (If  your  vehicle  has  t ires  of  a  dif-
ferent size than the size indica ted on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure  label  [tire  and  load  information  label],  you  should  de termine
the proper tire inflation p ressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your  vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure  monitoring  system  (TPMS -tire  pressure  warning  system) that
illuminates a low tire  pressure telltale (tire pressure warning  light) when
one  or  more  of  your  tires  is  significantly  under-inflated.  Acco rdingly,
when  the  low  tire  pressure  telltale  (tire  pressure  warning  ligh t)  illumi-
nates,  you  should  stop  and  check  your  tires  as  soon  as  possible ,  and
inflate  them  to  the  proper  pressure.  Driving  on  a  significantly   under-
inflated  tire  causes  the  tire  to  overheat  and  can  lead  to  tire  failure.
Under-inflation  also  reduces  fuel  efficiency  and  tire  tread  lif e, and may
affect the vehicle’s handl ing and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not  a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintena nce, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain  correct  tire  pressure,  even  if  under-inflation  has  not   reached
the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS (tire pressure  warn-
ing  system)  malfunction  indicato r  to  indicate  when  the  system  is  not
operating  properly. The TPMS  (tire  pressure  warning  system)  mal func-
tion indicator is combined with  the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure
warning  light).  When  the  system  detects  a  malfunction,  the  tell tale  will
flash for approximately one mi nute and then remain continuously  illumi-
nated.  This  sequence  will  continue  upon  subsequent  vehicle  star t-ups
as long as the malfunction exists . When the malfunction indicator is illu-
minated,  the  system  may  not  be  able  to  detect  or  signal  low  tir e  pres-
sure as intended.
TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for  a vari-
ety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or al ternate tires
or  wheels  on  the  vehicle  that  prevent  the TPMS  (tire  pressure  w arning
system)  from  functioning  properly. Always  check  the  TPMS  (tire  pres-
sure  warning  system)  malfunction  telltale  after  replacing  one  or  more
tires  or  wheels  on  your  vehicle  to  ensure  that  the  replacement  or  alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning sys tem) to
continue to function properly. 

6297-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
7
When trouble arises
WARNING
■Driving to spread the liquid sealant evenly
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and ca use death
or serious injury.
●Drive  the  vehicle  carefully  at  a  low  speed.  Be  especially  caref ul  when
turning and cornering.
●If  the  vehicle  does  not  drive  straight  or  you  feel  a  pull  throu gh  the
steering wheel, stop the vehi cle and check the following.
• Tire condition. The tire may have separated f rom the wheel.
• Tire  inflation  pressure.  If  the  tire  inflation  pressure  is  19 p si
(130 kPa, 1.3 kgf/cm
2 or bar) or less, the tire may be severely dam-
aged.
NOTICE
■When performing an emergency repair
●A tire should only be repaired with the emergency tire puncture  repair
kit  if  the  damage  is  caused  by  a  sharp  object  such  as  nail  or  s crew
passing through the tire tread.
Do not remove the sharp object from the tire. Removing the obje ct may
widen the opening and disenable e mergency repair with the repair kit.
●The  repair  kit  is  not  waterproof.  Make  sure  that  the  repair  kit   is  not
exposed to water, such as when  it is being used in the rain.
●Do not put the repair kit direct ly onto dusty ground such as sa nd at the
side  of  the  road.  If  the  repair  kit  vacuums  up  dust  etc.,  a  mal function
may occur.
■Precautions for the emergency tire puncture repair kit
●The  repair  kit  power  source  should  be  12  V  DC  suitable  for  vehi cle
use. Do not connect the repa ir kit to any other source.
●If  fuel  splatters  on  the  repair  kit,  the  repair  kit  may  deterio rate.  Take
care not to allow fuel to contact it.
●Place the repair kit in a stor age to prevent it from being exposed to dirt
or water.
●Store  the  repair  kit  in  the  luggage  compartment  out  of  reach  of   chil-
dren.
●Do not disassemble or modify the repair kit. Do not subject par ts such
as the air pressure indicator to impacts. This may cause a malf unction. 

645
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
7
When trouble arises
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If  the hybrid system will not start
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● The electronic key may no t be functioning properly.
* ( P. 647)
● There may not be sufficient f uel in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle. ( P. 90)
● There may be a malfunction  in the immobilizer system.
* ( P.   9 5 )
● There may be a malfunction i n the shift control system.
* 
(  P. 249, 609)
● The hybrid system may be malfunc tioning due to an electrical prob-
lem such as electronic key battery depletion or a blown fuse. H ow-
ever,  depending  on  the  type  of  malfunction,  an  interim  measure  is
available to start the hybrid system. ( P. 646)
● There  is  a  possibility  that  the  t emperature  of  the  hybrid  battery
(traction  battery)  is  extremely  low  (approximately  below  -22°F
[-30°C]). ( P. 90, 248)
*: It may not be possible to shift the shift position other than  P.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● The 12-volt battery  may be discharged. ( P. 650)
● The 12-volt battery terminal connections may be loose or corrod ed. 
(  P. 524)
Reasons  for  the  hybrid  system  not  starting  vary  depending  on
the  situation.  Check  the  followi ng  and  perform  the  appropriate
procedure: 
The hybrid system will not start  even though the correct starting
procedure is being followed. ( P. 245)
The  interior  lights  and  headlights  are  dim,  or  the  horn  does  no t
sound or sounds at a low volume.