Greetings, new member here and new owner also, having just picked up a new 2013 plug-in a week ago. I have combed through the manuals and read Toyota's recommendation for emergency towing of the vehicle on one's own, presumably with the assistance of a friend or relative to do the towing with an adequate vehicle and chain or tow rope fastened to the tow eye. Has anyone needed to do an emergency tow in this manner, and if so, would you please describe the steps you took and what is required to do this correctly? I believe I remember reading that the hybrid system needs to be powered up and drive mode set in neutral, so roadside assistance would be needed in an instance in which the hybrid system is dead. What are some examples of breakdowns in which self-towing would be appropriate? I do have AAA coverage and also towing provided with my insurer, and am really asking more out of curiosity than anticipation of real need, but since much of my driving is local and I have family with vehicles suitable to pull my Prius I thought it might be good to know what's doable and what isn't. I've lurked for a few days and am pleased to see the depth of knowledge and experience available on this forum, and I look forward to staying in touch!
You tow a Prius on a flatbed tow truck, if you ever want to use it again. If your friend has a trailer large enough to tow your car with all 4 wheels off of the ground, that will be fine.
there is another recent thread on this. i think in extreme emergency, you can tow at very low speed and short distance. otherwise, front wheels off the ground.
True. And before towing make sure to: Turn power switch to ON mode, not ACCESSORY mode. Shift to N position Release the parking brake. If you cannot perform one of these - do not tow!
