2021 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual (in English)

5857-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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7
When trouble arises
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the front (2WD models)From the front (AWD models)
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.

5867-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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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, se t the
parking brake and turn the power switch off.
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle m ay be
temporarily towed using cables or chains secured to the emergen cy
towing eyelets. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for short distances at under 18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes . The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, a xles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Using a flatbed truck
Emergency towing

5877-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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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 t he follow-
ing procedure.
Take out the wheel nut wre nch and towing eyelet. (P. 613, 632)
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 c hains 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 O N mode.
Turn off the Parking Support Brake function. (if equipped): P. 375
Emergency towing procedure
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2
3
4
5
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5887-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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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 your Toyota dealer or commercial tow-
ing service before towing.
■ While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes an d steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■ Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage compartment. (P. 613, 632)
■ Towing eyelet installation hole on the rear of the vehicle
The hole is equipped for fastening the
vehicle while shipping. Your vehicle can-
not tow another vehicle.
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5897-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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When trouble arises
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models
AWD models
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.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the drivetrain or related parts
may be damaged, the vehicle may fly off
the truck, or electricity generated by the
operation of the motor may cause a fire
to occur depending on the nature of the
damage or malfunction.

5907-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■While towing
● When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. w hich 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.
NOTICE
■Towing with a sling-type truck
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate cleara nce, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or re ar.
■ To prevent damage to the vehic le during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to pre-
vent body damage.

591
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7
When trouble arises
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High coolant temperature warni ng light flashes or comes on
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
● Engine missing, stumb ling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touch es
the floor
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

592
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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a war ning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning ligh ts
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and w arning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light and warning buzzer (red
indicator)
*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Brake system warning light (yellow indicator)
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative braking system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
Low engine oil pressure warning light
(warning buzzer)
*2
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system; or
• The electronic throttle control system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.