2003 Toyota Prius Owners Manual - Page 22

For vehicle repairs or maintenance, be sure to consult your Toyota dealer. If your vehicle is beyond repair because of accident or something, be sure to consult your Toyota dealer. D If your vehicle has experienced major damage, you may get an electric shock. To prevent this, never touch the high voltage parts (hybrid vehicle battery assembly, etc.) or cables (orange color) connecting these parts. If some exposed electric wiring is protruding inside or outside of the vehicle, an electric shock may also occur. Never touch them. 12p009c As sealed Nickel-Metal hydride batteries are used, be sure to consult your Toyota dealer when disposing of your vehicle. CAUTION If you are involved in an accident, follow these precautions. Do not put the luggage on the package tray behind the rear seatback. D If the fluid leaks or gets in some part of the vehicle, never touch it because it may be electrolyte (strong alkali) from the hybrid vehicle battery. If it gets on your skin or eyes, wash off immediately with a large amount of water, if possible, with boric acid solution, and get immediate medical attention in order to help avoid serious injury. D Move the vehicle to a safe place and perform the followings to reduce the risk of high voltage electricity leakage. D Depress the brake pedal and put the selector lever in "P" position. D Apply the parking brake. D Turn the ignition switch to "LOCK" and remove the key. D An air vent is provided on the package tray behind the rear seatback to cool the hybrid vehicle battery. If this vent is covered with something, the hybrid vehicle battery will overheat resulting in a reduction of the output performance of the hybrid system. D If a vehicle fire occurs, extinguish it using a fire extinguisher for the exclusive use on electric fires. As a small amount of water may be dangerous, use a large amount of water, for example from a fire hydrant, or wait for a fire-fighting team arrival. D Do not apply water or put foreign objects over the air vent. Otherwise, it may affect the hybrid vehicle battery adversely and cause damage. D You may hear a cooling fan noise from the air vent. 15