2004 Toyota Prius Owners Manual - Page 268

-Installing towing eyelet CAUTION Use extreme caution when towing vehicles. 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. Before towing, release the parking brake and put the hybrid transaxle in "N". The hybrid system must be in the "IG−ON" mode. 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. 50p046a NOTICE Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use in towing vehicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain to the towing eyelet provided. D If the parking mechanism fails. D If the auxiliary battery is discharged. CAUTION 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 usual. 1. Remove the towing eyelet as shown in the illustration. 256