TOYOTA PRIUS V 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

5
When trouble arises
481
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
Start the engine of the second vehicle. Increase the engine
speed slightly and maintain at
that level for approximately
5 minutes to recharge the battery of your vehicle.
Maintain the engine speed of the second vehicle and start
the hybrid system of your ve hicle by turning the “POWER”
switch to ON mode.
Make sure the “READY” indicato r light comes on. If the indi-
cator light does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
Once the hybrid system has started, remove the jumper
cables in the exact reverse or der from which they were con-
nected.
Close the exclusive jump starting terminal cover, and rein-
stall the fuse box cover to its original position.
When installing, first hook the fuse box cover onto the two rear
tabs.
Once the hybrid system starts , have the vehicle inspected at
your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6
STEP7
STEP8

482 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
■Starting the hybrid system when the 12-volt battery is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started by push-starting.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
● Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the hybrid system is
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.
■ When the 12-volt battery is removed or discharged
● The hybrid system may not start. ( P. 384)
● If the 12-volt battery is depleted with the shift position in P, it will not be
possible to shift the shift position other than P. In this case, the vehicle
cannot be towed without lifting both front wheels because the front
wheels are locked by the parking lock. ( P. 435)
● When the 12-volt battery is reconnected, start the hybrid system, depress
the brake pedal, and confirm that it is possible to shift into each shift posi-
tion.
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
The electricity stored in the 12-volt battery will discharge gradually even
when the vehicle is not in use, due to natural discharge and the draining
effects of certain electrical appliances. If the vehicle is left for a long time, the
12-volt battery may discharge, and the hybrid system may be unable to start.
(The 12-volt battery recharges automatically while the hybrid system is oper-
ating.)

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When trouble arises
483
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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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 each jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that
it is not unintentionally in contact with any other than the intended terminal.
● Do not allow the other end of the jumper cable connected to the “+” termi-
nal to come into contact with any other parts or metal surfaces in the area,
such as brackets or unpainted metal.
● Do not allow the + and - clamps of the jumper cables to come into contact
with each other.
● Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette lighters or allow open flame 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
precautions 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.

484 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
CAUTION
■After recharging the 12-volt battery
Have the 12-volt battery inspected at your Toyota dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
If the 12-volt battery is deteriorating, continued use may cause the 12-volt
battery to emit a malodorous gas, which may be detrimental to the health of
passengers.
■ When replacing the 12-volt battery
 P. 385
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
When connecting the jumper cables, ensure that they do not become entan-
gled in the cooling fans, etc.
■ Exclusive jump starting terminal
The exclusive jump starting terminal is to be used when charging the 12-volt
battery from another vehicle in an emergency. It cannot be used to jump start
another vehicle.

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When trouble arises
485
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
If your vehicle overheats
Correction procedures■ If the high coolant temperature warning light flashes or comes
on
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.
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 immediately and call your Toyota
dealer.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating:
●The high coolant temperature warn ing light flashes or comes on:
The engine may be overheating.
● The hybrid system overhe at warning light comes on:
The power control unit may be overheating.
Follow the correction procedure as described below.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

486 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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After the hybrid system has
cooled down sufficiently, check
the engine coolant level and
inspect the cooling system for
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. 499)
Have the vehicle checked at nearest Toyota dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
■If the hybrid system overheat warning light comes on
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition-
ing system.
Leave the hybrid system operating and carefully lift the hood.
Check if the cooling fans are operating.
If the fans are operating: Wait until the hybrid system overheat warning light turns off
and then stop the hybrid system.
If the warning light does not turn off, call your Toyota dealer.
If the fans are not operating: Stop the hybrid system immediately and call your Toyota
dealer.
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

5
When trouble arises
487
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
After the hybrid system has
cooled down, check the power
control unit coolant level and
inspect the cooling system for
leaks.
If necessary, add power control
unit coolant up to the “F” line.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if power control
unit coolant is unavailable.
(
P. 499)
Have the vehicle checked at nearest Toyota dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
STEP 4
STEP 5
■ Overheating
The following symptoms may occur when your vehicle is overheating:
● Hybrid system output decrease
● Steam is coming from under the hood

488 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injuries such as burns.
● Check that the indicator on the “POWER” switch and the “READY” indica-
tor are off.
● For vehicles with a hybrid system, there are times when the gasoline
engine automatically starts to run or the cooling fans suddenly start to
operate. Do not touch or approach the rotating parts of the fans, etc. Doing
so may lead to fingers, clothes or tools getting caught, resulting in injury.
● Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the hybrid system and radia-
tor are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine/power control unit coolant
Wait until the hybrid system has cooled down before adding engine/power
control unit coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot hybrid sys-
tem too quickly can cause damage to the hybrid system.
■ To prevent damage to the cooling system
Observe the following precautions:
● Avoid contaminating the coolant with foreign matter (such as sand or dust
etc.)
● Do not use commercially available coolant additives

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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 vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear to avoid striki ng other vehicles, objects or people. The
vehicle may also lunge forward or lu nge back suddenly as it becomes free.
Use extreme caution.
■ When changing the shift position
Be careful not to change the shift position with the accelerator pedal
depressed.
Changing the shift position to any positions other than P or N may cause the
vehicle to accelerate abruptly, causing an accident and resulting in death or
serious injury.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Set the parking brake and shift the shift position to P. Stop
the hybrid system.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the tires
to help provide traction.
Restart the hybrid system.
Shift the shift position to D or R, release the parking brake
and carefully apply the accelerator to free the vehicle.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

490 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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NOTICE
■To avoid damage to the hybrid transmission and other components
● Avoid spinning the wheels and depressing the accelerator pedal more
than necessary.
● If the vehicle remains stuck even after these procedures are performed,
the vehicle may require towing to be freed.