Page 537 of 770

5356-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
6
Maintenance and care
WARNING
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drive train as well as
dangerous handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident resulting
in death or serious injury.
● Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
● Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.
● Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
● Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
● Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
● Vehicles with a compact spare tire: Do not tow if your vehicle has a com-
pact spare tire installed.
● Vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit: Do not tow anything if
a tire that has been repaired using the emergency tire puncture repair kit is
installed. The load on the tire may cause unexpected damage to the tire.
■ When initializing the tire pressure warning system (if equipped)
Do not initialize the tire pressure wa rning system without first adjusting the
tire inflation pressure to the specified level. Otherwise, the tire pressure
warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation pressure is low, or it
may come on when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.
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5606-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
■After a fuse is replaced
● If the lights do not turn on even after the fuse has been replaced, a bulb may
need replacement. ( P. 561)
● If the replaced fuse blows again, have the vehicle inspected by any autho-
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■ If there is an overload in a circuit
The fuses are designed to blow, protecting the wiring harness from damage.
■ When replacing light bulbs
Toyota recommends that you use genuine Toyota products designed for this
vehicle. Because certain bulbs are connected to circuits designed to prevent
overload, non-genuine parts or parts not designed for this vehicle may be
unusable.
WARNING
■ To prevent system breakdowns and vehicle fire
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause damage to the vehicle, and possibly a fire or
injury.
● Never use a fuse of a higher amperage rating than that indicated, or use
any other object in place of a fuse.
● Always use a genuine Toyota fuse or equivalent.
Never replace a fuse with a wire, even as a temporary fix.
● Do not modify the fuses or fuse boxes.
NOTICE
■Before replacing fuses
Have the cause of electrical overload determined and repaired by any
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer as soon as possible.
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5666-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
WARNING
■Replacing light bulbs
● Be sure to stop the hybrid system and turn off the lights. Do not attempt to
replace the bulb immediately after turning off the lights.
The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.
● Do not touch the glass portion of the light bulb with bare hands. When it is
unavoidable to hold the glass portion, use and hold with a clean dry cloth
to avoid getting moisture and oils on the bulb.
Also, if the bulb is scratched or dropped, it may blow out or crack.
● Fully install light bulbs and any parts used to secure them. Failure to do so
may result in heat damage, fire, or water entering the headlight unit. This
may damage the headlights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.
● Do not attempt to repair or disassemble light bulbs, connectors, electric
circuits or component parts.
Doing so may result in death or serious injury due to electric shock.
■ To prevent damage or fire
● Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked.
● Check the wattage of the bulb before installing to prevent heat damage.
Page 569 of 770

567
7When trouble arises
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
7-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ........... 568
If your vehicle has to
be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 569
If the vehicle is submerged
or water on the road is
rising ................................ 570
7-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If your vehicle needs
to be towed ...................... 572
If you think something is
wrong ............................... 579
If a warning light turns on
or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................. 580
If a warning message is
displayed ......................... 589
If you have a flat tire
(vehicles without
spare tire) ........................ 598
If you have a flat tire
(vehicles with
spare tire) ........................ 618
If the hybrid system will
not start............................ 634
If the electronic key does
not operate properly ........ 636
If the 12-volt battery is
discharged ....................... 639
If your vehicle
overheats ......................... 645
If the vehicle becomes
stuck ................................ 650
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5797-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
7
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 582 of 770

5807-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
If a war ning light tur ns on or a warning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights
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 any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
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 any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota autho-
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer. Continuing to
drive the vehicle 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 any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer 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 any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota autho-
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
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5817-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
7
When trouble arises
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 any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota autho-
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The emission control system (if equipped)
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
(Red/yellow)
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
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5827-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
(Flashes or illumi- nates)(If equipped)
PCS warning light
• When a buzzer sounds simultaneously:
Indicates a malfunction has occurred in the PCS (Pre-
Collision System).
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
• When a buzzer does not sound:
The PCS (Pre-Collision System) has become temporar-
ily unavailable, corrective action may be necessary.
Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display. ( P. 294, 596)
If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or VSC (Vehicle Stability
Control) system is disabled, the PCS warning light will illu-
minate.
P. 306
(Orange) (If equipped)
LTA indicator (warning buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display. ( P. 322)
Slip indicator light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system;
• The TRC system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
The light will flash when the ABS, VSC or TRC system is
operating.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions