check engine TOYOTA PRIUS 2010 3.G User Guide

426 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After turning off the hybrid
system, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into
the bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully. Low
Full
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6
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427
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the filler cap, turning it clockwise.
Engine oil selectionP. 560
Oil quantity
(Low  Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
Items Clean funnel
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

429
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■
Used engine oil
● Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground. 
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly retightened.

430 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Engine/power control unit coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the hybrid system is cold.
Engine coolant reservoir Reservoir cap
“FULL”
“LOW”
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
Power control unit coolant reservoirReservoir cap
Full
Low
If the level is on or below the “L”
line, add coolant up to the “F” line.
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■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, reservoir cap, radiator cap, drain cock
and water pump. 
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer pressure test the cap and
check for leaks in the cooling system.

462
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Checking and replacing fuses
If any of the electrical components do not operate, a fuse may have
blown. If this happens, check and replace the fuses as necessary.
Turn the “POWER” switch OFF. 
Vehicles with Solar Ventilation System: Turn the Solar Ven-
tilation System off and make sure not to operate the
Remote Air Conditioning System.
Open the fuse box cover.
Engine compartment
Push the tabs in and lift the lid
off.
Left side instrument panel Remove the lid.STEP1
STEP2
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500 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Tire pressure warning
light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pres-
sure. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure.
When the light comes on
after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire
pressure warning system. Have the system
checked by your
Toyota dealer.
High coolant tempera-
ture warning light
Indicates high engine
coolant temperature P. 5 4 8
Master warning light A buzzer sounds and the
warning light comes on
and flashes to indicate
that the master warning
system has detected a
malfunction. P. 5 0 8

512 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Follow the correction procedures.After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning message turns off.
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
(U.S.A. only) Indicates that the engine oil is
scheduled to be changed.
A buzzer also sounds.
Check the engine
oil, and change if
necessary.
Comes on approximately 4500
miles (7200 km) after the
engine oil is changed. (The
indicator will not work properly
unless the oil maintenance
data has been reset).
(U.S.A. only) Indicates that the engine oil
should be changed.
A buzzer also sounds.
Check and change
the engine oil.
Comes on approximately 5000
miles (8000 km) after the
engine oil is changed (and the
oil maintenance data has been
reset).

5
When trouble arises
545
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Starting the hybrid system when the 12 volt battery is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started by push-starting. In addition, the shift
position may not changed from “P”.
■ 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.
■ When the 12 volt battery is removed or discharged
The hybrid system may not start. (
P. 438)
Start the engine of the second vehicle. Increase the engine
speed slightly and maintain at that level for approximately 5
minutes to recharge the 12 volt battery of your vehicle.
Turn the “POWER” switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Maintain the engine speed on the second vehicle and turn
the “POWER” switch to ON mode, then start your vehicle’s
hybrid system.
Make sure the “READY” indicator comes on. If the indicator
does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
Once the vehicle’s hybrid syst em has started, remove the
jumper cables in the exact reverse order in which they were
connected.
Once the hybrid system starts, ha ve the vehicle checked at your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.STEP4
STEP5
STEP6
STEP7
STEP8

548
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
If your vehicle overheats
Correction procedures■ If the high coolant temperatur e warning light comes on or
flashes
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition-
ing system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: 
Stop the hybrid system. Carefully lift the hood after the
steam subsides and then restart the hybrid system.
If you do not see steam: 
Leave the hybrid system operating and carefully lift the
hood.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating:
● The high coolant temperature warn ing light comes on or flashes:
The engine may be overheating.
● “HYBRID SYSTEM OVERHEAT” is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display: 
The power control unit may be overheating.
Follow the correction procedure as described below.
STEP1
STEP2

5
When trouble arises
549
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Check to see if the cooling fans are operating.
If the fans are operating: 
Wait until the high coolant temperature warning light goes
off and then stop the hybrid system.
If the fans are not operating:  Stop the hybrid system immedi ately and call your local
Toyota dealer.
After the hybrid system has
cooled down sufficiently, check
the engine coolant level and
inspect the radiator core (radia-
tor) for any leaks.
If necessary, add engine coolant
up to the “FULL” line.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if engine coolant
is unavailable. (P. 562)
STEP3
STEP4
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