maintenance TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS 2012 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
1Before driving
Information on the hybrid system and adjusting and op-
erating features such as door locks, mirrors, and steer-
ing 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 specifi-
cationsDetailed vehicle information
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this man-
ual

1
2
3
4
5
6
5
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior ........... 382
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior ............ 387
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements..................... 390
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions ....................... 393
Hood ................................... 397
Positioning a floor jack ........ 400
Engine compartment........... 403
12-volt battery ..................... 413
Tires .................................... 419
Tire inflation pressure ......... 422
Wheels ................................ 425
Air conditioning filter ........... 427
Electronic key battery ......... 430
Checking and replacing
fuses ................................. 433
Light bulbs .......................... 4455-1. 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
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data
(fuel, oil level, etc.)............ 540
Fuel information .................. 552
6-2. Customization
Customizable features ........ 554
Abbreviation list................ 562
Alphabetical index ............ 563
What to do if... .................. 574
6Vehicle specifications
Index

42 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift
position to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating and are not a malfunction:
The brake system operation sound heard from the front of the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) when the
hybrid system starts or stops.
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 braking when the brake pedal
is depressed and accelerator is loosened.
Other sounds, such as motors and mechanical noises, may be heard
from the brake system when the brake pedal is depressed.
Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent. (
P. 44)
The operation sound of the air conditioning system (air conditioning com-
pressor, blower motor).
Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

143
1
Before driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
1-7. Theft deterrent system
Immobilizer system
System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type immobilizer system.
Conditions affecting operation
Depending on the surrounding environment and conditions, the immobilizer
system may not operate properly. This may prevent the hybrid system from
starting. (P. 73)
The vehicle’s keys have built-in transponder chips that prevent the
hybrid system from starting if a 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.
The indicator light stops flash-
ing after the “POWER” switch
has been turned to ACCES-
SORY or ON mode to indicate
that the system has been can-
celed.

152 1-7. Theft deterrent system
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type alarm system.
Items to check before locking the vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of the alarm and vehicle theft, make sure
of the following:
Nobody is in the vehicle.
The windows is closed before the alarm is set.
No valuables or other personal items are left in the vehicle.
Triggering of the alarm
The alarm may be triggered in the following situations.
(Stopping the alarm deactivates the alarm system.)
The doors are unlocked using the
mechanical key.
A person inside the vehicle opens a
door, the back door or hood.
The 12-volt battery is recharged or
replaced when the vehicle is locked.

4Maintenance and care
381
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior ......... 382
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior .......... 387
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements................... 390
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions ..................... 393
Hood ................................. 397
Positioning a floor jack ...... 400
Engine compartment......... 403
12-volt battery ................... 413
Tires .................................. 419
Tire inflation pressure ....... 422
Wheels .............................. 425
Air conditioning filter ......... 427
Electronic key battery ....... 430
Checking and replacing
fuses ............................... 433
Light bulbs ........................ 445

382
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
Automatic car washes
Fold the mirrors and remove the antenna before washing the vehicle.
Start washing from the front of the vehicle. Make sure to re-install the
antenna and extend the mirrors before driving.
Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface
and harm your vehicle’s paint.
Roof antenna, rear spoiler may not be washable in some automatic car
washes. There may also be an increased risk of damage to vehicle.
High pressure car washes
Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity
of the windows.
Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle
is closed properly.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition:
Working from top to bottom, liberally 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
chamois.
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.

383 4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
When using a car wash
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effec-
tive range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. Place the key in a posi-
tion 2 m (6 ft.) or more separate from the vehicle while the vehicle is being
washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
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.
Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
Front side windows water-repellent coating (if equipped)
The following precautions can extend the effectiveness of the water-
repellent coating.
• Remove any dirt etc. from the front side windows regularly.
• Do not allow dirt and dust to accumulate on the windows for a long
period. Clean the windows with a soft and damp cloth as soon as pos-
sible.
• Do not use wax or glass cleaners that contain abrasives when cleaning
the windows.
• Do not use any metallic objects to remove condensation build up.
When the water-repellent performance has become insufficient, the coat-
ing can be repaired. Contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.

384 4-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
Precautions regarding 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.
When cleaning the windshield
When the upper part of the windshield where the raindrop sensor is
located is touched by hand
When a wet rag or similar is held close to the raindrop sensor
If something bumps against the windshield
If you directly touch the raindrop sensor body or if something bumps into
the raindrop sensor
Set the wiper switch to off.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wip-
ers may operate unexpectedly in the fol-
lowing situations, and may result in hands
being caught or other serious injuries and
cause damage to the wiper blades.
OFF