warning light TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS 2012 Owner's Manual

5When trouble arises
459
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 460
If your vehicle needs
to be towed ..................... 461
If you think something is
wrong .............................. 468
5-2. Steps to take
in an emergency
If a warning light turns
on or a warning
buzzer sounds ................ 469
If you have a flat tire
(vehicles with
spare tire) ....................... 482
If you have a flat tire
(vehicles without
a spare tire) .................... 494
If the hybrid system
will not start..................... 516
If you lose your keys ......... 518
If the electronic key does not
operate properly ............. 519
If the 12-volt battery is
discharged ...................... 522
If your vehicle
overheats ........................ 528
If the vehicle becomes
stuck ............................... 534
If your vehicle has
to be stopped in
an emergency ................. 536

468
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
High engine coolant temperature warning light flashes or
comes on
Audible symptoms
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
Operational symptoms
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

5
469
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light tur ns on or a warning buzzer sounds
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle
may be dangerous.
The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact any
authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional.
*1: Brake system warning buzzer:
When there is a possible problem that could affect braking performance, the
warning light will come on and a warning buzzer will sound.
*2: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately 5 km/h
(3 mph) or more.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Brake system warning light and warning buzzer (red
indicator)
*1, 2
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released, the system is operating normally.
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 dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional.

470 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Low engine oil pressure warning light
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
High coolant temperature warning light
Indicates that the coolant temperature is too high
Changes from a flashing to a solid light when the engine
coolant temperature increases.
Hybrid system warning light (warning buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the hybrid system

5
471 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped professional immediately.
Failure to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional immedi-
ately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system; or
• The electronic throttle control system
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The seat belt pretensioner system
ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
Electric power steering system warning light (warn-
ing buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS system

472 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(Flashes)
(If equipped)Pre-crash safety system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the pre-crash safety system
The warning light will operate as follows, even when the
system is not malfunctioning:
• The light will flash quickly when the system is operating.
(P. 307)
• The light will turn on when the pre-crash braking is dis-
abled. (P. 308)
• The light will turn on when the system cannot temporar-
ily be used. (P. 476)
(Turns on)Slip indicator light
Indicates a malfunction in:
•VSC;
• TRC; or
• Hill-start assist control
Flashes when the above systems and/or ABS are oper-
ating. (P. 300)
Brake system warning light (yellow indicator)
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative braking system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system

5
473 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Parking lock system warning light (warning buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the P position control system
• In this situation, there is a possibility that the parking
lock mechanism will not work. When parking, park the
vehicle on a flat surface and apply the parking brake
securely.
• The “POWER” switch may not be turned off. If this hap-
pens, applying the parking brake will enable the switch
to be turned off.
Parking lock system warning message (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the P position control system
when the vehicle is stopped
• In this situation, there is a possibility that the parking
lock mechanism will not work. When parking, park the
vehicle on a flat surface and apply the parking brake
securely.
• The “POWER” switch may not be turned off. If this hap-
pens, applying the parking brake will enable the switch
to be turned off.
Hybrid battery indicator light
The hybrid battery (traction battery) will soon need to be
inspected or replaced
Have the hybrid battery (traction battery) inspected by
any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional immediately.
*

474 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
*: If you continue to use the vehicle in this state, the light starts blinking with
buzzer sounds, and you will soon become unable to start the hybrid system.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

(If equipped)LED headlight warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the LED headlights
The LED headlights will not normally illuminate when
there is a malfunction, however it may be able to illumi-
nate depending on the nature of the problem.

(If equipped)Automatic headlight leveling system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the automatic headlight level-
ing system

(If equipped)
(yellow)Cruise control indicator
Indicates a malfunction in the cruise control/dynamic
radar cruise control

(If equipped)
(yellow)Radar cruise control indicator (warning buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the dynamic radar cruise con-
trol

5
475 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Follow the correction procedures.
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light goes off.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

(Flashes)P position request indicator
light (warning buzzer)
The amount of charge remain-
ing in the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) has fallen because
the shift position has been left
in N for a long timeBecause recharging
is not possible when
the shift position is in
N, shift the shift posi-
tion to P when park-
ing the vehicle for a
long time.
The driver’s door has been
opened while the shift position
is in N, D or B
Shift the shift posi-
tion to P. An attempt has been made to
start the hybrid system while
the shift position is in anything
other than P
Hybrid system overheat warn-
ing light (warning buzzer)
The hybrid system has over-
heated
This light may come on when
driving under severe operating
conditions. (For example, when
driving up a long steep hill.)Stop and check.
(P. 528)

476 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

(Only outer
frame flashes)Low hybrid battery (traction
battery) warning light (warning
buzzer)
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
level becomes low because the
shift position is in N for long
timeBecause recharging
is not possible when
the shift position is in
N, shift the shift posi-
tion to P when park-
ing the vehicle for a
long time.

(Turns on)
(If equipped)Pre-crash safety system warn-
ing light
Indicates that the PCS is not
currently functional because
the grille or the radar sensor is
dirty, or the system has over-
heated.• Check the grille and
the sensor and clean
them if they are dirty.
• In case of overheat-
ing, the system will
become functional
once the system
cools down.
Open door warning light
(warning buzzer)
*1
Indicates that a door is not fully
closedCheck that all the
doors are closed.
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates remaining fuel is
approximately 6.0 L (1.6 gal.,
1.3 Imp.gal.) or lessRefuel the vehicle.