light TOYOTA PRIUS 2008 2.G Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
433
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is your vehicle low on gas?
If it is, refuel the vehicle immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■ Power steering warning light
When the voltage is low or drops, the power steering warning light may
come on.
■ SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the following:
● The airbag sensor assembly
● Front airbag sensors
● The curtain shield airbag sensors
● The side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
● The driver’s seat position sensor
● Driver’s seat belt buckle switch
● The front passenger occupant classification ECU
● The pressure sensor
● The belt tension sensor
● “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BA G OFF” indicator lights
● Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
● The inflators
● The warning light
● The interconnecting wiring and power sources

434 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■Front passenger detect ion sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash, even if a passenger is not
sitting in the seat.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
Pushing the tire pressure warning reset switch should not turn off the tire
pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light ma y turn on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temper-
ature. In this case, adjusting the ti re inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light.
■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system may become inoperative in the follow-
ing conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters are used.
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is
not registered.
●If the tire inflation pressure is more than 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2
or bar).
The system may be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies
are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the
wheels or wheel housings.
●If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used.
●If tire chains are used.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1
minute frequently
If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute fre-
quently when the “POWER” switch
is turned to ON mode, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.
NOTICE
■Precaution when installing a different tire
When a tire of a different specification or maker is installed, the tire pres-
sure warning system may not operate properly.
CAUTION
■When the power steering warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, firmly
hold 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 loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury. • Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust thetire inflation 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 the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat
tire repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
• Avoid abrupt maneuvering and brak ing. If the vehicle tires deterio-
rate, you could lose control of th e steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air loss should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

436 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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CAUTION
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a differ-
ent size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load information label], you should determine the
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-ti re pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltal e (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressu re telltale (tire pressure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire main tenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illu mination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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CAUTION
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) malfunction indicator to indi
cate when the system is not operat-
ing properly. The TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunction indi-
cator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure
warning light).
When the system detects a malfunctio n, the telltale will flash for approxi-
mately one minute and then rema in continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upo n subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for a vari-
ety of reasons, including the installati on of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS (tire pres-
sure warning system) malfunction te lltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) to
continue to function properly.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■The compact spare tire
●The compact spare tire is identifi
ed by the label “TEMPORARY USE
ONLY” on the tire sidewall.
Use the compact spare tire temporarily only in an emergency.
●Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure of the compact spare
tire. ( P. 470)
■Tread life
The compact spare tire can be used many times, if necessary. It has
tread life of up to 3000 miles (4800 km) depending on road conditions
and your driving habits. When tread wear indicators appear on the tire,
replace the tire. ( P. 379)
■When using the compact spare tire
As the spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, low inflatio n pressure of the spare tire will not be warned.
Also, if you replace the compact spare tire after the tire pressure warning
light comes on, the light remains on.
■ Compact spare tire
The compact tire saves space in your luggage compartment,
and its lighter weight helps to enhance fuel economy and per-
mits easier installation in case of a flat tire.
The compact spare tire is
designed for temporary emer-
gency use only.

442 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)Slightly loosen the wheel nuts
(one turn).
Turn the tire jack portion “A” by
hand until the notch of the jack is
in contact with the jack point.
Raise the vehicle until the tire is
slightly raised off the ground.
Remove all the wheel nuts and
the tire.
When resting the tire on the
ground, place the tire so that the
wheel design faces up to avoid
scratching the wheel surface.
ITY52P006
STEP2
STEP3
ITY52P008
STEP4
ITY52P009
STEP5

448
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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If the hybrid system will not start
If the engine will not start even though correct starting procedures
are being followed (
P. 130), consider each of the following points.
■ The hybrid system will not start even when the starter motor
operates normally.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
●The electronic key battery may be discharged. ( P. 450)
● The engine may be flooded.
Try to restart the hybrid system once more following correct
starting procedures. (P. 130)
● There may be a malfunction in the immobilizer system.
( P. 8 1 )
■ The interior lights and headlight s are dim, or the horn does
not sound or sounds at a low volume
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
● The 12 volt battery may be discharged. ( P. 451)
● The 12 volt battery terminal c onnections may be loose or cor-
roded.
■ The interior lights and headlights do not turn on, or the horn
does not sound
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
●One or both of the 12 volt battery terminals may be discon-
nected.
● The 12 volt battery may be discharged. ( P. 451)
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired,
or if repair procedures are unknown.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■
Starting the hybrid system when the battery is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started by push-starting.
■ Avoiding a discharged 12 volt battery
● Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the hybrid system is
turned off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is run-
ning at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic, etc.
Start the engine of the second vehicle. Increase the engine
speed slightly and maintain at that level for approximately
five minutes to recharge the 12 volt battery of your vehicle.
Open and close any of the doors with the “POWER” switch
OFF.
Maintain the engine speed on the second vehicle and turn
the “POWER” switch to the ON mode, then start the vehi-
cle’s engine.
Make sure the “READY” light comes on. If the “READY”
light will not come on and the hybrid system will not start
after you recharge the battery, do the following procedure.
Turn the hybrid system off. Open and close the driver’s
door. Then push the “POWER” switch briefly and firmly. If
the light does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
Once the vehicle’s engine has started, remove the jumper
cables in the exact reverse order in which they were con-
nected.
Once the engine starts, have the vehicle checked at your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.STEP4
STEP5
STEP6
STEP7
STEP8

454 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■When the 12 volt battery is removed or discharged
The following systems must be initialized.
● Power windows (
P. 75)
● Tire pressure warning system (
P. 380)
● The hybrid system may not start. ( P. 448)
CAUTION
■Avoiding 12 volt battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flam-
mable gas that may be emitted from the 12 volt battery.
● Make sure the jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that it
is not unintentionally in contact with any part other than the intended termi-
nal.
● Do not allow the jumper cables to come into contact with the “+” and “-” ter-
minals.
● Do not allow open flame or use matc hes, cigarette lighters or smoke near
the 12 volt battery.
■ 12 volt battery precautions
The 12 volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while
related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following pre-
cautions when handling the 12 volt battery:
● When working with the 12 volt battery, always wear safety glasses and
take care not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with
skin, clothing or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the 12 volt battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the 12 volt battery.