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 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 713 of 816

7138-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
If you think something is wrong
● Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High coolant temperature warning 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, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle proba-
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
Page 718 of 816
7188-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( P. 721)
• Flat tire ( P. 731)
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the
light does not turn off even if the tire inflation pres-
sure is adjusted, have the system checked by any
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system ( P. 721)
Have the system checked by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 721 of 816

7218-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
■ When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Inspect the appearance of the tire to check that the tire is not punctured.
If the tire is punctured: P. 731
If the tire is not punctured:
Carry out the following procedure after the tire temperature has lowered suffi-
ciently.
● Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
● If the warning light does not go out even after several minutes, check that
the tire inflation pressure is at the specified level and carry out initialization.
( P. 652)
The warning light may come on again if the above operations are conducted
without first allowing the tire temperature to lower sufficiently.
■ The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such as
natural air leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature.
In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light
(after a few minutes).
■ Conditions that the tire pressure warning system may not function prop-
erly
P. 654
■ If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for
1minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for
1 minute when the power switch is turned to ON mode, have it checked by
any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
■ Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard due to being in a noisy location
or audio sound.
Page 722 of 816

7228-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
WARNING
■When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
When the light comes on yellow, the assist to the power steering is
restricted. When the light comes on red, the assist to the power steering is
lost and handling operations of the steering wheel become extremely
heavy. When steering wheel operations are heavier than usual, grip the
steering wheel firmly and operate it using more force than usual.
■ If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause a
loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
● Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire infla-
tion pressure immediately.
● If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure
adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire
is flat, repair the flat tire by us ing emergency tire puncture repair kit.
● Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you
could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■ If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.
NOTICE
■ To ensure the tire pressure warning system operates properly
Do not install tires with different specif ications or makers, as the tire pres-
sure warning system may not operate properly.
Page 731 of 816
7318-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
If you have a flat tire
Your vehicle is not equipped with a spare tire, but instead is
equipped with an emergency tire puncture repair kit.
A puncture caused by a nail or screw passing through the tire
tread can be repaired temporarily using the emergency tire
puncture repair kit. (The kit contains a bottle of sealant. The
sealant can be used only once to temporarily repair one tire
without removing the nail or screw from the tire.) After temporar-
ily repairing the tire with the kit, have the tire repaired or
replaced by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer.
WARNING
■ If you have a flat tire
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a flat tire can damage the tire and the
wheel beyond repair, which could result in an accident.