
5
1
9 8
7
6 4 3
2
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
5
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service  precautions ..................... 512
Hood.................................. 515
Positioning a floor jack ...... 517
Engine compartment ......... 518
Tires .................................. 532
Tire inflation pressure........ 542
Wheels .............................. 545
Air conditioning filter .......... 548
Cleaning the hybrid battery  (traction battery) air intake 
vent and filter .................. 551
Wiper insert  replacement .................... 556
Electronic key battery ........ 560
Checking and replacing  fuses ............................... 563
Headlight aim .................... 566
Light bulbs ......................... 568
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers .......... 580
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an 
emergency ...................... 581
If the vehicle is trapped in  rising water...................... 582 7-2. Steps to take in an 
emergency
If your vehicle needs to  be towed .......................... 584
If you think something is  wrong............................... 591
If a warning light turns on  or a warning buzzer 
sounds ............................. 592
If a warning message is  displayed ......................... 603
If you have a flat tire  (vehicles without 
spare tire) ........................ 611
If you have a flat tire  (vehicles with 
spare tire) ........................ 631
If the hybrid system will  not start ........................... 645
If the electronic key does  not operate properly ........ 647
If the 12-volt battery is  discharged ....................... 650
If your vehicle overheats.... 656
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ................................ 661
7When trouble arises 

182
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3-1. Key information
■Electronic key battery depletion
●The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years.
● If the battery becomes low, an alarm will sound in the cabin an d a message
will  be  displayed  on  the  multi-information  display  when  the  hyb rid  system
stops.
● As the electronic  key always receives radio waves, the battery  will become
depleted even if the electronic key is not used. The following  symptoms indi-
cate  that  the  electronic  key  battery  may  be  depleted.  Replace  the  battery
when necessary. ( P. 560)
• The smart key system or the wireless remote control does not o perate.
• The detection area becomes smaller.
• The LED indicator on the key surface does not turn on.
You  can  replace  the  battery  by  yourself  ( P.  560).  However,  as  there  is  a
danger  that  the  electronic  key  may  be  damaged,  it  is  recommende d  that
replacement is carried out by your Toyota dealer.
● To  avoid  serious  deterioration,  do  not  leave  the  electronic  key   within  3  ft.
(1 m) of the following electrical appliances that produce a magnetic field:
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Cellular phones, cordless phones and battery chargers
• Table lamps
• Induction cookers 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
1833-1. Key information
3
Operation of each component
■If  a  message  regarding  the  state  of  the  electronic  key  or  power   switch
mode, etc. is shown
To  prevent  trapping  the  electronic  key  inside  the  vehicle,  leav ing  the  vehicle
without turning off the power switch or other passengers from u nintentionally
taking  the  key  out  of  the  vehicle,  etc.,  a  message  that  prompts  the  user  to
confirm  the  state  of  the  electronic  key  or  power  switch  mode  ma y  be  shown
on the multi-information display. In those cases, follow the in structions on the
display immediately.
■ If “Key Battery Low Replace Key Battery” is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The electronic key has a low battery. Replace the electronic ke y battery. 
( P. 560)
■ Replacing the battery
P. 560
■ Confirmation of the registered key number
The  number  of  keys  already  registered  to  the  vehicle  can  be  confirmed. Ask
your Toyota dealer.
■ If  “A  New  Key  has  been  Registered  Contact  Your  Dealer  for  Detai ls”  is
displayed on the multi-information display
This  message  will  be  displayed  each  time  the  driver’s  door  is  opened  when
the  doors  are  unlocked  from  the  outside  for  approximately  10  da ys  after  a
new electronic key has been registered.
If this message is displayed but you have not had a new electro nic key regis-
tered,  ask  your  Toyota  dealer  to  check  if  an  unknown  electronic   key  (other
than those in your possession) has been registered.
■ If a wrong key is used
The key cylinder rotates freely to isolate inside mechanism. 

186
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
◆Wireless remote controlLocks all the doors
Check  that  the  door  is  securely
locked.
Unlocks all the doors
Pressing  the  button  unlocks  the
driver’s  door.  Pressing  the  but-
ton  again  within  3  seconds
unlocks the other doors.
Press  and  hold to open the side
windows  and  moon  roof  (if
equipped).
*
*
: This setting must be customized at your Toyota dealer.
■ Operation signals
Doors:
A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate th at the doors
have been locked/unlocked. (Locked: Once; Unlocked: Twice)
Side windows and moon roof (if equipped):
A buzzer sounds to indicate that the side windows and moon roof  are operat-
ing.
■ Security feature
If  a  door  is  not  opened  within  approximately  60  seconds  after  t he  vehicle  is
unlocked, the security feature automatically locks the vehicle again.
■ When the door cannot be locked by  the lock sensor on the surface of the
door handle
■ Door lock buzzer
If  an  attempt  to  lock  the  doors  is  made  when  a  door  is  not  full y  closed,  a
buzzer  sounds  continuously  for  5  seconds.  Fully  close  the  door  to  stop  the
buzzer, and lock the vehicle once more.
■ If the smart key system or the wireless remote control does not operate
properly
●Use the mechanical key to lock and unlock the doors. ( P. 647)
● Replace the key battery with a new one if it is depleted. ( P. 560)
1
2
When  the  door  cannot  be  locked  even  if
the lock sensor on the surface of the door
handle  is  touched  by  a  finger,  touch  the
lock sensor with the palm.
When  gloves  are  being worn,  remove  the
gloves. 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
1973-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Operation of each component
■Alarms and warning messages
An alarm sounds and warning message displays shown on the multi -informa-
tion  display  are  used  to  protect  against  unexpected  accidents  o r  theft  of  the
vehicle resulting from erroneous operation. When a warning mess age is dis-
played, take appropriate measures based on the displayed message.
When only an alarm sounds, circumstances and correction procedu res are as
follows.
■ When  “Smart  Key  System  malfuncti on  See  owner’s  manual”  is  dis-
played on the multi-information display
The  system  may  be  malfunctioning.  Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by   your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Battery-saving function
The battery-saving function will be activated in order to preve nt the electronic
key battery and the 12-volt battery from being discharged while  the vehicle is
not in operation for a long time.
● In  the  following  situations,  the  smart  key  system  may  take  some  time to
unlock the doors.
• The electronic key has been left in an area of approximately 6  ft. (2 m) of
the outside of the vehicle for 10 minutes or longer.
• The smart key system has not been used for 5 days or longer.
● If the smart key system has not been used for 14 days or longer , the doors
cannot be unlocked at any doors except the driver’s door. In th is case, take
hold  of  the  driver’s  door  handle,  or  use  the  wireless  remote  co ntrol  or  the
mechanical key, to unlock the doors.
AlarmSituationCorrection procedure
Exterior  alarm
sounds  once  for  5
secondsAn  attempt  was  made  to
lock the vehicle while a door
was open.Close  all  of  the  doors
and  lock  the  doors
again.
Interior  alarm
pings repeatedly
The  power  switch  was
turned  to  ACCESSORY
mode while the driver’s door
was open (The driver’s door
was  opened  when  the
power  switch  was  in
ACCESSORY mode).
Turn  the  power  switch
off  and  close  the
driver’s door. 

198
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
■Electronic Key Battery-Saving Function
When battery-saving mode is set, battery depletion is minimized  by stopping
the electronic key from receiving radio waves.
■ Conditions affecting operation
The  smart  key  system,  wireless  remote  control  and  immobilizer  s ystem  use
weak  radio  waves.  In  the  following  situations,  the  communication  between
the electronic key and the vehicle may be affected, preventing  the smart key
system, wireless remote control and immobilizer system from operating prop-
erly. (Ways of coping:  P. 647)
● When the electronic key battery is depleted
● Near  a  TV  tower,  electric  power  plant,  gas  station,  radio  stati on,  large  dis-
play,  airport  or  other  facility  that  generates  strong  radio  wav es  or  electrical
noise
● When  the  electronic  key  is  in  contact  with,  or  is  covered  by  the  following
metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
● When other wireless key (that emit radio waves) is being used n earby
● When  carrying  the  electronic  key  together  with  the  following  devices  that
emit radio waves
• Portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other  wirele ss commu-
nication devices
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits  radio waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
● If  window  tint  with  a  metallic  content  or  metallic  objects  are  attached  to  the
rear window
● When  the  electronic  key  is  placed  near  a  battery  charger  or  ele ctronic
devices
Press    twice  while  pressing  and
holding  . Confirm that the electronic
key indicator flashes 4 times.
While  the  battery-saving  mode  is  set,  the
smart  key  system  cannot  be  used.  To
cancel the function, press any of the elec-
tronic key buttons. 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
1993-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Operation of each component
■Note for the entry function
●Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (det ection areas),
the system may not operate properly in the following cases:
• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door  handle, near
the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or unl ocked.
• The electronic key is on the instrument panel, floor, or in th e door pockets
or  glove  box  when  the  hybrid  system  is  started  or  power  switch  modes
are changed.
● Do  not  leave  the  electronic  key  on  top  of  the  instrument  panel  or  near  the
door pockets when exiting the vehicle. Depending on the radio w ave recep-
tion conditions, it may be detected by the antenna outside the  cabin and the
door will become lockable from the outside, possibly trapping the electronic
key inside the vehicle.
● As long as the electronic key is within the effective range, th e doors may be
unlocked or locked by anyone.
● Even if the electronic key is not inside the vehicle, it may be  possible to start
the hybrid system if the electronic key is near the window.
● The doors may unlock if a large amount of water splashes on the  door han-
dle, such as in the rain or in a car wash when the electronic k ey is within the
effective  range.  (The  door  will  automatically  be  locked  after  a pproximately
60 seconds if the doors are not opened and closed.)
● If  the  wireless  remote  control  is  used  to  lock  the  doors  when  t he  electronic
key  is  near  the  vehicle,  there  is  a  possibility  that  the  door  m ay  not  be
unlocked  by  the  entry  function.  (Use  the  wireless  remote  contro l  to  unlock
the doors.)
● Touching  the  door  lock  sensor  while  wearing  gloves  may  delay  or  prevent
lock operation. Remove the gloves and touch the lock sensor aga in.
● When the lock operation is performed using the lock sensor, rec ognition sig-
nals  will  be  shown  up  to  two  consecutive  times. After  this,  no  recognition
signals will be given.
● If the  door  handle becomes  wet while the  electronic  key  is with in the  effec-
tive range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In this ca se, follow the
following correction procedures to wash the vehicle.
• Place  the  electronic  key  in  a  location  6  ft.  (2  m)  or  more  awa y  from  the
vehicle. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
• Set  electronic  key  to  battery-saving  mode  to  disable  the  smart   key  sys-
tem. ( P. 198)
● If  the  electronic  key  is  inside  the  vehicle  and  a  door  handle  b ecomes  wet
during  a  car  wash,  a  message  may  be  shown  on  the  multi-informat ion  dis-
play and a buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To turn off t he alarm, lock
all the doors. 

220
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3-5. Opening and closing the windows and moon roof
■Door lock linked window operation
●The power windows can be opened and closed using the mechanical  key.
*
(P. 647)
● The  power  windows  can  be  opened  using  the  wireless  remote  control.
*
(P. 186)
*: These settings must be customized at your Toyota dealer.
■ When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
The  window  lock  switch  is  disabled.  If  necessary,  press  the  win dow  lock
switch after reconnecting the 12-volt battery.
■ Power window open reminder function
The buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-informati on display
in the instrument cluster when the power switch is turned off and the driver’s
door is opened with the power windows open.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. linked door lock operation) can be changed. 
(Customizable features:  P. 690)