IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY -> If your vehicle needs to be towed for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2009)

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 373.  
(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  
372  
—Emergency towing  
(c) Towing with sling type truck  
NOTICE  
z Only use specified towing eyelet;  
otherwise your vehicle may be dam-  
aged.  
z Never tow a vehicle from the rear  
with four wheels on the ground.  
This may cause serious damage to  
the transaxle.  
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.  
(c) Towing with sling type truck  
If towing is necessary, we recommend  
you to have it done by your Toyota  
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-  
vice.  
NOTICE  
Do not tow with sling type truck, ei-  
ther from the front or rear. This may  
cause body damage.  
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.  
373  
—Installing towing eyelet  
Before towing, release the parking brake  
and put the hybrid transaxle in “N”. The  
hybrid system must be in the “IGON”  
mode.  
CAUTION  
Use extreme caution when towing ve-  
hicles. Avoid sudden starts or erratic  
driving maneuvers which would place  
excessive stress on the emergency  
towing eyelet and towing cable or  
chain. The eyelet and towing cable or  
chain may break and cause serious  
injury or damage.  
In the following cases, as the front wheels  
might be locked by means of the parking  
lock mechanism, your vehicle cannot be  
towed by another vehicle using a rope.  
Have your vehicle carried with the front  
wheels or all the wheels raised.  
If the parking mechanism fails.  
If the 12 volt battery is discharged.  
NOTICE  
1. Remove the towing eyelet as shown in  
the illustration.  
CAUTION  
Use only a cable or chain specifically  
intended for use in towing vehicles.  
Securely fasten the cable or chain to  
the towing eyelet provided.  
If the hybrid system is not running,  
the power assist for the brakes and  
steering will not work so steering and  
braking will be much harder than usu-  
al.  
374