What To Do If. . .

Thanks to a thread started by fellow Priuschatter Galaxee, we are glad to be able to provide this page. If you've ever found yourself in a situation in which you are wondering what to do or what led to a particularly odd situation, this page might hold your answer.

I just filled up my tank and my check engine light came on.
	Make sure your gas cap is tight, then restart your car 3 times. If this doesn't make the light go away, it's time for a trip to the dealer.

I can't get much gas in my tank.
	The bladder makes filling up in a Prius quite different than other cars. You will probably not get the whole 11.9 gallons in there, and as the weather gets colder the tank capacity will shrink. Try filling up slowly. Also, if you find a gas station pump that works, keep using that one.

I ran out of gas and added one gallon, but the car still will not start.
	You need to add at least 3 gallons before the car will recognize that you've added anything. Then you should be good to go.

My gas gauge is stuck on 10 bars even after 100+ miles of driving.
	The gas gauge is "top-heavy" so the first few bars will take longer to go out. This means the last few do go quickly!

It's cold out and my water pump is screaming.
	It does tend to get noisier when outside temperatures drop. This has proven to be normal. However, if the noise continues to get worse, your dealer can force the pump to run and check to be sure it's okay.

I have a rattle in the back of my car.
	Check that the rear seats are locked upright. If they're not locked upright they can rattle. This is not the only thing that causes rattles but it's very common.

Every now and again I hear an "errr" sound from the front end of the car.
	This is the brake pressure accumulator pump. It will do this from time to time. However if it does this ALL the time you want to have it checked out.


I just had my oil changed, but the "Maintenance Required" light is still on.
	1.	Turn the power switch IG-ON and make sure that the ODO/TRIP meter is the odometer display.
	2.	Turn the power switch OFF.
	3.	While pushing the "ODO/ TRIP meter switching & TRIP meter reset" switch, turn the power switch IG-ON.
	4.	Until the resetting is completed, the reminder light flashes.
	5.	The resetting is completed when the reminder light turns OFF. Release the "ODO/TRIP meter switching & TRIP meter reset" switch.
	6.	After the resetting is completed, the ODO/TRIP meter displays as a set of zeros for 1 second. Then, the ODO/TRIP meter displays the your normal odometer mileage.

My 2004's MFD says "Check A/C connection" and does not want to work.
	You have the classic MFD failure. If you're under warranty, you get a new screen for free. If you're out of warranty, you can get a refurbished one for $400-$500.


I had new tires put on my 2006 or 2007 and they broke a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor).
	The installer needs to buy you a new one and install it. Before they install, they need to write down the ID code from the sensor itself. Then you need to go to the dealer and have them program the ID into your TPMS ECU. The tire installer should be paying for all of this.

There is a yellow light on the dash that looks like (!)
	One of your tires is low on pressure. Check your tire pressures and fill them to the correct pressure. Then reset your pressures. Press and hold the Set switch under your steering wheel, the TPMS light will flash 3 times and then turn off within 3 seconds. You're ready to go.


I had new rims installed on my 2006 or 2007 and the TPMS light is constantly on.
	Unfortunately without sensors this will happen. Your options are to ignore the light, transfer the sensors from your old rims to the new ones, or buy new sensors for the new rims.

I hear a rattle from the dash area.
	Check to make sure the shelf in the upper glove box is "installed" correctly.


I just had my oil change and now I'm getting lower gas mileage than before
	First: Tire pressure. If you've been running at higher than OEM recommended pressures the dealer likely lowered the pressure to 35f/33r on you hot tires....thus they may be even lower than that when cold (when you're supposed to check and set tire pressure). So, pump them back up to where you like them when they are cold. Second: Check oil level...if significantly above the 'max' line it could adversely affect your mileage. Have the dealer drain some of that oil if necessary.