IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY -> If your vehicle needs to be towed for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

If your vehicle needs to be  
towed—  
If towing is necessary, we recommend  
you to have it done by your Toyota  
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-  
vice. In consultation with them, have  
your vehicle towed using either (a) or  
(b).  
TOWING PRECAUTIONS:  
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—  
—From front  
Use a safety chain system for all towing,  
and abide by the state/provincial and local  
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground  
must be in good condition. If they are  
damaged, use a towing dolly.  
Only when you cannot receive a towing  
service from a Toyota dealer or com-  
mercial tow truck service, tow your ve-  
hicle carefully in accordance with the  
instructions given in “—Emergency tow-  
ing” on page 181 in this Section.  
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck  
From front—Release the parking brake.  
NOTICE  
—From rear  
When lifting wheels, take care to en-  
sure adequate ground clearance for  
towing at the opposite end of the  
raised vehicle. Otherwise, the under-  
body of the towed vehicle will be  
damaged during towing.  
Proper equipment will help ensure that  
your vehicle is not damaged while being  
towed. Commercial operators are generally  
aware of the state/provincial and local  
laws pertaining to towing.  
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is  
towed incorrectly. Although most operators  
know the correct procedure, it is possible  
to make a mistake. To avoid damage to  
your vehicle, make sure the following pre-  
cautions are observed. If necessary, show  
this page to the tow truck driver.  
From rear—Use a towing dolly under the  
front wheels.  
(b) Using flat bed truck  
NOTICE  
Never tow  
a
vehicle from the rear  
with the front wheels on the ground,  
as this may cause serious damage to  
the transmission.  
(b) Using flat bed truck  
180  
—Emergency towing  
If towing is necessary, we recommend  
you to have it done by your Toyota  
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-  
vice.  
(c) Towing with sling type truck  
If towing service is not available in an  
emergency, your vehicle may be tempo-  
rarily towed by a cable or chain se-  
cured to emergency towing eyelet in-  
side of front bumper. Use extreme  
caution when towing vehicles.  
The front towing eyelet is provided in the  
trunk. (For the front towing eyelet storage  
location, see “—Required tools and spare  
tire” on page 175.)  
Front  
(c) Towing with sling type truck  
NOTICE  
NOTICE  
Only use specified towing eyelet;  
otherwise your vehicle may be dam-  
aged.  
Do not tow with sling type truck, ei-  
ther from the front or rear. This may  
cause body damage.  
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer  
it and operate the brakes.  
Towing in this manner may be done only  
on hardsurfaced roads for a short dis-  
tance and at low speeds. Also, the  
wheels, axles, drive train, steering and  
brakes must all be in good condition.  
Rear  
181