How to Tow the Toyota Prius

The preferred method to tow a Toyota Prius is to use a wheel lift or flat bed tow truck. Sling type tow trucks should not be used. When using a wheel lift truck, the front wheels should not rotate: they should either be on the lift; or if the rear wheels are on the lift, then the front wheels should be on a towing dolly. In an emergency it is possible to use a cable to tow the Prius for short distances and at low speed.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Towing eyelet
• Wheel nut wrench
• Flat head screwdriver
• Rag

1. • 1

     Retrieve the towing eyelet and wheel nut wrench. These are stored with the jack near the spare tire (the specific location varies by model year). The wheel nut wrench is normally used to tighten the wheel lug nuts. The towing eyelet is about 6 inches long with threads on one end and a ring on the other. It is important that you use only the eyelet that came with the Prius in order to avoid damaging the car.

   • 2

     Remove the eyelet cover. The eyelet cover is a square cover with rounded corners offset to one side of the front bumper. Wrap the flat head screwdriver in the rag to avoid marring the finish, then wedge the wrapped screwdriver into the gap between the cover and the bumper and pry the cover open.

   • 3

     Insert the towing eyelet in the hole behind the cover and tighten it by hand.

   • 4

     Continue tightening the towing eyelet using the wheel nut wrench. Slide the handle of the wheel nut wrench through the eyelet and twist until the eyelet is secure.

   • 5

     Turn the Prius on. Although the Prius is being towed, it must be turned on so you can shift it into neutral. The first driver gets into the Prius, turns it on, shifts to "N" and releases the parking brake. When using the emergency towing procedure, you must have a driver in the Prius to steer and work the brakes.

   • 6

     Tow the Prius. The second driver attaches the towing cable to the eyelet and drives the towing vehicle.

Tips & Warnings

• The towing vehicle should drive slowly. Toyota recommends going no faster than 30 km/h (18 mph).

• The towing vehicle should not make erratic turns or start suddenly because these moves can pull the eyelet from the hole or break the towing cable.