TOYOTA PRIUS 2004 2.G Owners Manual

211
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the antilock
brake system: Although the antilock
brake system assists in providing ve-
hicle control, it is still important to
drive with all due care and maintain
a moderate speed and safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you, be-
cause there are limits to the vehicle
stability and effectiveness of steering
wheel operation even with the anti
lock brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its
capability, or if hydroplaning occurs
during high speed driving in the rain,
the antilock brake system does not
provide vehicle control.
Antilock brake system is not de-
signed to shorten the stopping dis-
tance: Always drive at a moderate
speed and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles without an
antilock brake system, your vehicle
may require a longer stopping dis-
tance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow
covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving over the steps such as the
joints on the road.
Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differ-
ences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at
appropriate pressure: The antilock
brake system detects vehicle speeds
using the speed sensors for respec-
tive wheels’ turning speeds. The use
of tires other than specified may fail
to detect the accurate turning speed,
resulting in a longer stopping dis-
tance.
30p002b
Vehicle sold in U.S.A.
30p007b
Vehicle sold in Canada

212
“ABS” warning light
The light comes on when the “IGON”
mode is enabled. If the antilock brake
system works properly, the light turns
off after the “READY” light comes on.
Thereafter, if the system malfunctions,
the light comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti−lock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions oc-
curs, this indicates a malfunction some-
where in the components monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
“IG −ON” mode is enabled, or the
“READY” light remains on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing. A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the red brake system
warning light, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact
your Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
Either of the following conditions may
occur, but does not indicate a malfunc-
tion:
The light may stay on for about 60
seconds after the “IG
−ON” mode is en-
abled. It is normal if it turns off after
a whi l e.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if
it turns off after a few seconds. BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM
When you slam the brakes on, the
brake assist system judges as an emer-
gency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold
down the brake pedal firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more pow-
erful braking will be applied. At this time,
you may hear a sound in the engine
compartment. This does not indicate a
malfunction.
The brake assist system becomes opera-
tive after the vehicle has accelerated to
a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
For an explanation of this system’s warn-
ing light, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 117.

213
The electric power steering system, us-
ing an electric motor, assists the turn-
ing of the steering wheel.
In the following cases, you may feel the
steering becomes heavy. However, the
electric power steering system warning
light does not come on. (Because it is
not a malfunction.)
When maneuvering the steering fre-
quently or keeping the steering wheel
turned fully while the vehicle is stopped
or moving very slowlyThe power steering effect will be re-
duced to prevent the system from over-
heating. Avoid turning the steering
wheel, or stop the vehicle. When you
leave the vehicle in the “IG −ON” mode
for a while, the system will become
cool.
NOTICE
If you repeat the operation which will
turn on the overheating prevention
function, the electric power steering
system may be damaged.
When the auxiliary battery is dis-
charged
Check the auxiliary battery’s condition.
If necessary, recharge or replace the
battery. For details, see “Checking aux-
iliary battery condition” on page 298.
When the steering wheel is operated
with the hybrid system not to be turned
on (with the “READY” light off)
The auxiliary battery capacity is de-
creased temporarily. The system re-
turns to normal some time after the
hybrid system is turned on.
If there is a problem somewhere in the
electric power steering system, the warn-
ing light comes on in the multi −information
display. For details, see “Multi −information
display” on page 124.30p003
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.
Electric power steering system Brake pad wear limit
indicators

214
30p004b
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the
instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
This is the primary identification number
for your Toyota. It is used in registering
the ownership of your vehicle.
30p005b
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
also on the Certification Label.
30p006b
Engine number
Motor number
The engine and motor number plates
are installed on the engine and trans-
axle case as shown.
Your Toyota’s identification—
—Vehicle identification
number —Engine and motor number

215
Theft prevention labels
Your new vehicle carries theft preven-
tion labels which are approximately 47
mm (1.85 in.) by 12 mm (0.47 in.).
The purpose of these labels is to reduce
the incidence of vehicle thefts by facilitat-
ing the tracing and recovery of parts from
stolen vehicles. The label is designed so
that once it is applied to a surface, any
attempt to remove it will result in destroy-
ing the integrity of the label. Transferring
these labels intact from one part to anoth-
er, will be impossible.
NOTICE
You should not attempt to remove the
theft prevention labels as it may vio-
late certain state or federal laws.
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension/chassis
with lift kits, spacers, springs, etc. It
can cause dangerous handling charac-
teristics, resulting in loss of control.
Suspension and chassis

216This illustration indicates typical tire
symbols.
1. Tire size— For details, see “Tire
size” on page 218.
2. DOT and Tire Identification Number (TIN)— For details, see
“DOT and Tire Identification Num-
ber (TIN)” on page 217.
3. Location of tread wear indica- tors— For details, see “Checking
and replacing tires” on page 291.
4. Tire ply composition and materi- als— Plies mean a layer of rubber −
coated parallel cords. Cords mean
the strands forming the plies in the
tire.
5. Summer tire or all season tire— An all season tire has “M+S”
on the sidewall. A tire not marked
with “M+S” is a summer tire. For
details, see “Types of tires” on
page 227.
Tire information—
—Tire symbols
30p101

217
6. Radial tires or biasply tires—
A
radial tire has “RADIAL” on the
sidewall. The tire not marked with
“RADIAL” is a bias −ply tir e.
7. “TUBELESS” or “TUBE TYPE” —A tubeless tire does not have a
tube inside the tire and air is direct-
ly filled in the tire. A tube type tire
has a tube inside the tire and the
tube maintains the air pressure.
8. Load limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure— For details,
see “Checking and replacing tires”
on page 291.
9. Maximum cold tire inflation pressure— This means the pres-
sure to which a tire may be in-
flated. For recommended cold tire
inflation pressure, see “Tires” on
page 313.
10. Uniform tire quality grading— For details, see “Uniform tire quali-
ty grading” that follows.
21A009a
This illustration indicates typical DOT
and Tire Identification Number (TIN).
1. “DOT” symbol
2. Tire Identification Number (TIN)
3. Tire manufacturer ’s identification mark
4. Tire size code
5. Manufacturer ’s optional tire type code
6. Manufacturing week
7. Manufacturing year The “DOT” symbol certifies that the
tire conforms to applicable Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
—DOT and Tire Identification
Number (TIN)

218
30p102
This illustration indicates typical tire
size.1. Tire use (P=Passenger car, T=Temporary use)
2. Section width (in millimeters)
3. Aspect ratio (tire height to section width)
4. Tire construction code (R=Radial, D=Diagonal)
5. Wheel diameter (in inches)
6. Load index (2 digits or 3 digits)
7. Speed symbol (alphabet with one letter)
21A007a
1. Section width
2. Tire height
3. Wheel diameter
21A006a
1. Bead
2. Sidewall
3. Shoulder
4. Tread
5. Belt
6. Inner liner
7. Reinforcing rubber
8. Carcass
9. Rim lines
10. Bead wires 11. Chafer
—Tire size —Name of each section of tire

219
—Uniform tire quality grading
This information has been prepared
in accordance with regulations issued
by the National Highway Traffic Safe-
ty Administration of the U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation. It provides
the purchasers and/or prospective
purchasers of Toyota vehicles with in-
formation on uniform tire quality grad-
ing.
Your Toyota dealer will help answer
any questions you may have as you
read this information.
DOT quality grades—All passenger
car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to
these grades. Quality grades can
be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoul-
der and maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200 Trac-
tion AA Temperature A.Tread wear—
The tread wear grade
is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested un-
der controlled conditions on a speci-
fied government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and a half (1 −1/2) times as well
on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving hab-
its, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate. Traction AA, A, B, C—
The traction
grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C, and they represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor trac-
tion performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and
does not include cornering (turning)
traction.

220 Temperature A, B, C—T he tem per a-
ture grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C cor-
responds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of per-
formance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grades for
this tire are established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.