maintenance TOYOTA PRIUS 2010 3.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information
3Interior 
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in-
terior features for a comfortable driving experience
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident
6Vehicle 
specificationsDetailed vehicle information
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners and seat belt
instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting 
the vehicle’s exterior ......... 404
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle’s interior .......... 407
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance 
requirements ..................... 410
General maintenance.......... 412
Emission inspection 
and maintenance (I/M) 
programs........................... 415
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service 
precautions ....................... 416
Hood ................................... 420
Positioning a floor jack ........ 423
Engine compartment ........... 425
12 volt battery ..................... 436
Tires .................................... 441
Tire inflation pressure ......... 451
Wheels ................................ 455
Air conditioning filter............ 457
Electronic key battery.......... 460
Checking and replacing 
fuses ................................. 462
Light bulbs........................... 472 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers............ 486
If your vehicle needs 
to be towed....................... 487
If you think something is  wrong ............................... 493
Event data recorder ............ 494
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns 
on or a warning buzzer 
sounds.............................. 496
If a warning message is 
displayed .......................... 508
If you have a flat tire ........... 524
If the hybrid system 
will not start ...................... 538
If you lose your keys........... 540
If the electronic key does 
not operate properly ......... 541
If the 12 volt battery is 
discharged........................ 543
If your vehicle overheats .... 548
If the vehicle becomes 
stuck ................................. 553
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
6-1. SpecificationsMaintenance data 
(fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 556
Fuel information ................. 568
Tire information .................. 572
6-2. Customization Customizable features ....... 587
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize................. 593
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................ 596
Seat belt instructions for 
Canadian owners 
(in French) ........................ 597 Abbreviation list ............... 600
Alphabetical index ............ 601
What to do if... ................... 610
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

31
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. Always push the “P” position switch when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating, and are not a malfunction.
● Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind
the rear seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is
open.
● Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the gasoline engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative brake when you press the
brake pedal or release the accelerator pedal.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● You may hear cooling fan sounds coming from the air intake vents behind
the rear seat.
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

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PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
1-7. Theft deterrent system
Immobilizer system
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type of immobilizer system.
■ Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
● If the key is in contact with a metallic object.
● If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key to the security system
(key with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle.
The vehicle’s keys have built-in tr ansponder chips that prevent the
hybrid system from starting if the key has not been previously regis-
tered in the vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
The indicator light flashes after
the “POWER” switch has been
turned OFF to indicate that the
system is operating.

Maintenance and care4
403
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting 
the vehicle’s exterior ...... 404
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle’s interior ....... 407
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance 
requirements .................. 410
General maintenance....... 412
Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) 
programs ........................ 415
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service 
precautions .................... 416
Hood ................................ 420
Positioning a floor jack ..... 423
Engine compartment ........ 425
12 volt battery .................. 436
Tires ................................. 441
Tire inflation pressure ...... 451
Wheels ............................. 455
Air conditioning filter......... 457
Electronic key battery....... 460
Checking and replacing 
fuses .............................. 462
Light bulbs........................ 472

404
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle’s exterior
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition.
● Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any
dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a cham-
ois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

405
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Automatic car washes
● Before washing the vehicle, do the following.
• Fold the mirrors back.
• Remove the antenna.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface
and harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure automatic car washes
● Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity
of the windows.
● Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed
properly.
■ Aluminum wheels
Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
■ Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
■ To prevent paint deterioratio n and corrosion on the body
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects or insect droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzine and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.

406 4-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot. 
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.
NOTICE
■ To protect your vehicle’s painted surfaces
Do not use organic cleaners such as benzine or gasoline.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
● Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush. 
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax on the surface of the lights. Wax may cause damage to
the lenses.

407
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle’s interior
The following procedures will help protect your vehicle’s interior and
keep it in top condition:
■ Protecting the vehicle interior
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty sur-
faces with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
■ Cleaning the leather areas
●Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
● Wipe any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened with
diluted detergent.
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5 % neutral wool deter-
gent.
●Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly
wipe off all remaining traces of detergent.
● Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remain-
ing moisture. Allow the leather to dry in shaded and ventilated
area.
■ Synthetic leather areas
●Remove loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner.
● Apply a mild soap solution to the synthetic leather using a
sponge or soft cloth.
● Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes. Remove the
dirt and wipe off the solution with a clean, damp cloth.