
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 

17Pictorial index
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 275
Precautions against winter season  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 430
Precautions against car wash (vehicles with rain-sensing 
windshield wipers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 498
Replacing the wiper insert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . .  P. 556
Fuel filler door  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 283
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 283
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 667
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 532
Tire size/inflation pressure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . P. 672
Winter tires/tire chain  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . P. 430
Checking/rotation/tire pressur e warning system . . . . . . . . .P. 532
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . P. 611, 631
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 515
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 515
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 668
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 656
Headlights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 263
Parking lights/front side marker lights/
LED accent lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 263
Fog lights
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 273
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 261
Tail lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 263
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 263
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 255
Rear side maker lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 263
4
5
6
7
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 568, Watts: P. 674)
*: If equipped
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
1272. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
◆Energy monitor
The energy  monitor can  be  used  to  check the vehicle  drive  status,
hybrid system operation status  and energy regeneration status.
When energy is flowing, an arrow appears and a bright point of  light
moves  to show  the direction of the  flow of energy. When  energy  is
not flowing, the bright point of light is not displayed.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor 
(traction motor)
Hybrid battery 
(traction battery)
Tire
Bright  point  of  light  showing
the flow of energy
As an example, all arrows are shown in the illustration, but the actual con-
tents of the display will differ.
(Display example)
●When  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  is  being  charged,  th e
bright point of li ght moves towards  .
● During  driving,  the  bright  point  of  light  moves  from    or    (or
both depending on the s ituation) towards  .
*
●During driving, the image of the tires rotates.
*: The display may differ depending on the driving status.
1
2
3
4
5
3
12
4 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
1732. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
■Display the power consumption of the air conditioner
Display “Energy Monitor” screen.
Select   on the upper right screen.
When you select the “ ”, and close the screen.
■Function summary
The energy  monitor can  be  used  to   check the vehicle  drive  status,
hybrid system operation status  and energy regeneration status.
■Flow of energy and display details
When energy is flowing, an arrow appears and a bright point of  light
moves  to show  the direction of the  flow of energy. When  energy  is
not flowing, the bright poin t of light are not displayed.
● The  display  when  the  engine  is  operating  is  in  blue  while  the
engine is being warmed up  and yellow afterwards.
● The arrow from  the engine to  the motor and  tires  is displayed i n
red.
● The  arrow  indicating  energy  consumption  is  displayed  in  yellow
and  the  arrow  indicating  energy  regeneration  or  charging  is  dis -
played  in  green.  Also,  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)
changes color accordingly.
● There  are  icons  ,  ,    on  the  lower  side  of  the
screen.  The  screen  switches  to  each  point  of  view  when  you
select it.
● When you select  , this screen is  displayed in the lower half of
the  screen,  it  will  be  displayed   together  with  the  navigation
screen.
● These  images  are  examples  only,  and  may  vary  slightly  from
actual conditions.
How to read the  energy monitor
1
2 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2294-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Firmly  set  the  parking  brake  with  the  brake  pedal  depressed,  and
then shift the shift position to D.
Release the brake ped al and gently depress the accelerator peda l.
Release the parking brake.
■ When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( P. 421)
■ For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in  mind  that hybrid  vehicles  are similar  to  conventional vehicles,  and  it
is necessary to refrain from activities such as sudden accelera tion. (P. 427)
■ Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be  reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
● Refrain  from  high  speeds  when  driving  on  an  expressway  in  the  r ain,
because there may be  a layer of  water  between the tires  and  the  road sur-
face, preventing the steering  and brakes from operating properl y.
■ Restraining the hybrid system o utput (Brake Override System)
● When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same  time, the
hybrid system output may be restrained.
● A  warning  message  is  displayed  on  the  multi-information  display  while the
system is operating. ( P. 608)
■ “ECO Accelerator Guidance” (P. 130)
It is easier to drive in an Eco-friendly manner by driving whil e referring to the
“ECO  Accelerator  Guidance”  display.  Also,  by  using  the  “ECO  Accelerator
Guidance”, it is easier to increase the Eco score evaluation.
● When starting off:
While  staying  within  the  “ECO  Accelerator  Guidance”  range,  gradually
depress the accelerator pedal and accelerate to the desired spe ed. If exces-
sive acceleration is avoided, the “Eco-Start” score will increa se.
● When driving:
After  accelerating  to  the  desired  speed,  release  the  accelerato r  pedal  and
drive  at  a  stable  speed  within  the  “ECO Accelerator  Guidance”  range.  By
keeping the vehicle within the “ECO Accelerator Guidance” range, the “Eco-
Cruise” score will increase.
● When stopping:
When stopping the vehicle, early releasing the accelerator peda l will cause
the “Eco-Stop” score to increase.
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3 

232
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● Use engine braking (shift position B instead of shift position D) to maintain
a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat  and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 256)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving. 
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, head or other parts of  their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● AWD models: Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not an AWD  vehicle designed  for  off-road driving.  Proce ed with  all
due caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.
● Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of  water. 
This  may  cause  electric/electronic  components  to  short  circuit,   damage
the hybrid system or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal sp eed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicl e has high-
speed  capability  tires.  Driving  over  85  mph  (140  km/h)  may  resu lt  in  tire
failure,  loss  of  control  and  possible  injury.  Be  sure  to  consult  a  tire  dealer
to  determine  whether  the  tires  on  your  vehicle  are  high-speed  c apability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden  braking,  acceleration  and  steering  may  cause  tire  slippa ge  and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes  in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident .
● After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make  sure that
the  brakes  are  functioning  properly.  Wet  brake  pads  may  prevent  the
brakes  from  functioning  properly.  If  the  brakes  on  only  one  sid e  are  wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected. 

236
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always  turn  the  hybrid  system  off.  Otherwise,  if  you  accidentally  move  the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause  an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in
a  poorly  ventilated  area,  exhaust  gases  may  collect  and  enter  the  vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking 
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. 
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this ma y cause
one  side  of  the  vehicle  to  brake  differently  than  the  other  sid e. Also,  the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the electronically controlled assist function does not opera te, do not fol-
low  other  vehicles  closely  and  avoid  downhill  or  sharp  turns  th at  require
braking. 
In  this  case,  braking  is  still  possible,  but  the  brake  pedal  sh ould  be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance wi ll increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● The  brake  system  consists  of  2  or  more  individual  hydraulic  systems;  if
one  of  the  systems  fails,  the  other(s)  will  still  operate.  In  t his  case,  the
brake  pedal  should  be  depressed  more  firmly  than  usual  and  the  braking
distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up  in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an a ccident. 

242
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 664
Total load capacity means the co mbined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage. 
◆Seating capacity:  P.   6 6 4
Seating capacity means the max imum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 1 50 lb. (68 kg) per person. 
◆Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towi ng a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants. 
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading inform ation label.
(  P. 542)
Vehicle  load  limits  include  total  load  capacity,  seating  capaci ty,
towing capacity and cargo capacity. 
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It  may  not  only  cause  damage  to  the  tires,  but  also  degrade  steering
and braking ability, res ulting in an accident.