Toyota Prius: If your vehicle needs to be towed

If towing your Toyota Prius 2024 is necessary, it is recommended to have your vehicle towed by your Toyota dealer or a commercial towing service using a wheel-lift type truck or a flatbed truck.

Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and local laws.

Situations when it is not possible to be towed by another vehicle

In the following situations, it is not possible to be towed by another vehicle using cables or chains, as the front wheels may be locked due to the parking lock. Contact your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service.

• There is a malfunction in the shift control system.
• There is a malfunction in the immobilizer system
• There is a malfunction in the smart entry & start system
• The 12-volt battery is discharged

Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing

The following may indicate a problem with your transmission.

Contact your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before towing.

• The hybrid system warning message is shown on the multi-information display and the vehicle does not move.
• The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.

• Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
• Using a flatbed truck

Towing with a wheel-lift type truck

• From the front (FF vehicles)

Release the parking brake.

Turn automatic mode off.

• From the front (AWD vehicles)

Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.

• From the rear

Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.

WARNING

Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

When towing the vehicle

• FF vehicles

Be sure to transport the vehicle with the front wheels raised or with all four wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is towed with the front wheels contacting the ground, the drivetrain and related parts may be damaged or electricity generated by the operation of the motor may cause a fire to occur depending on the nature of the damage or malfunction.

WARNING

• AWD vehicles

Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is towed with the tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain or related parts may be damaged, the vehicle may fly off the truck, or electricity generated by the operation of the motor may cause a fire to occur depending on the nature of the damage or malfunction.

NOTICE

To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck

When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the vehicle could be damaged while being towed.

• Towing with a sling-type truck

Do not tow with a sling-type truck to prevent body damage.

Using a flatbed truck

When using a flat-bed truck to transport the vehicle, ensure to use tire strapping belts according to the owner's manual of the flat-bed truck for proper strapping methods. To prevent vehicle movement during transportation, activate the parking brake and turn off the power switch.

Emergency towing

If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be temporarily towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency towing eyelets.

This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads for short distances at under 18 mph (30 km/h).

A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes.

The vehicle's wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condition.

Emergency towing procedure

To have your vehicle towed by another vehicle, the towing eyelet must be installed to your vehicle. Install the towing eyelet using the following procedure.

1. Take out the wheel nut wrench (if equipped) and towing eyelet.
2. Remove the eyelet cover using a flathead screwdriver.

To protect the bodywork, place a rag between the screwdriver and the vehicle body as shown in the illustration.

3. Insert the towing eyelet into the hole and tighten partially by hand.

4. Tighten down the towing eyelet securely using a wheel nut wrench or hard metal bar.

5. Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.

Take care not to damage the vehicle body.

6. Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid system.

Turn off the Parking Support Brake function. (if equipped)

If the hybrid system does not start, turn the power switch to ON.

7. Shift the shift position to N and release the parking brake.

Turn automatic mode off.

While towing

If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.

Wheel nut wrench

• Vehicles with wheel nut wrench: Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage compartment.
• Vehicles without wheel nut wrench: Wheel nut wrench can be purchased at your Toyota dealer.

WARNING

Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

While towing

• When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc.

  which place excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eyelets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit people, and cause serious damage.

• Do not turn the power switch off.

This may lead to an accident as the front wheels will be locked by the parking lock.

Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle

Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely. If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing.

NOTICE

To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing

Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.

If you think something is wrong

If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer 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 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