sensor TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN 2014 User Guide
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2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
2
When driving
■Driving in Eco drive mode
The  multi-information  display  will  automatically  switch  the  display  to  Hybrid
System Indicator, regardless of which display is currently being shown. 
(→P.   2 7 0 )
■To u c h   t r a c e r   d i s p l a y   ( i f   e q u i p p e d )
●The  touch  tracer  display  can  be  set  to  not  display  even  if  the  steering
switches are touched.
●Only  the  circular,  rubber-covered  switches  have  a  built-in  touch  sensor.
To u c h i n g   a n y   o f   t h e   o t h e r   s w i t c h e s   w i l l   n o t   d i s p l a y   t h e   t o u c h   t r a c e r   d i s -
play.
■Display settings can be changed when
The vehicle speed is less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
■Engine speed
On  hybrid  vehicles,  engine  speed  is  precisely  controlled  in  order  to  help
improve  fuel  efficiency  and  reduce  exhaust  emissions  etc.  There  are  times
when the engine speed that is displayed may differ even when vehicle oper-
ation and driving conditions are the same.
■When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
The following data will be reset.
●Average fuel consumption
●Distance to empty
●Average vehicle speed
●EV driving ratio
●Clock
●Display settings
●Trip meter 
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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
■Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
■Automatic light off system
●When  the  headlights  come  on:  The  headlights  and  tail  lights  turn  off  30
seconds  after  a  door  is  opened  and  closed  if  the  “POWER”  switch  is
turned  to  ACCESSORY  mode  or  turned  off.  (The  lights  turn  off  immedi-
ately if   on the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
●When  only  the  tail  lights  come  on:  The  tail  lights  turn  off  automatically  if
the  “POWER”  switch  is  turned  to  ACCESSORY  mode  or  turned  off  and
the driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode, or turn the
light switch off once and then back to   or  . 
The  sensor  may  not  function  properly  if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing  that  blocks  the  sensor  is  affixed  to
the windshield. 
Doing  so  interferes  with  the  sensor
detecting  the  level  of  ambient  light  and
may  cause  the  automatic  headlight  sys-
tem to malfunction. 
Air  conditioning  operation  may  also  be
interrupted.
ITO23P105 
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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
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When driving
■Automatic headlight leveling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of  passengers  and  the  loading  condition  of  the  vehicle  to  ensure  that  the
headlights do not interfere with other road users.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. 
(Customizable features →P.   6 4 3 )
NOTICE
■To   p r e v e n t   1 2 - v o l t   b a t t e r y   d i s c h a r g e
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off. 
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2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
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When driving
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles
up  to  approximately  400  ft.  (120  m)  ahead,  determines  the  current
vehicle-to-vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain a suit-
able following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note  that  vehicle-to-vehicle  distance  will  close  in  when  traveling  on  long
downhill slopes. 
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2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
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When driving
If  the  “POWER”  switch  is  turned
off  and  then  turned  to  ON  mode
again,  the  vehicle  will  automati-
cally  return  to  vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode.
Adjusting the speed setting:
→P.   3 1 6
Canceling  and  resuming  the
speed setting: →P.   3 1 8
■Dynamic radar cruise control can be set when
●The shift position is in D.
●Ve h i c l e   s p e e d   i s   a b o v e   a p p r o x i m a t e l y   3 0   m p h   ( 5 0   k m / h ) .
■Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
The  vehicle  can  accelerate  normally.  After  acceleration,  the  set  speed
resumes.  However,  during  vehicle-to-vehicle  distance  control  mode,  the
vehicle  speed  may  decrease  below  the  set  speed  in  order  to  maintain  the
distance to the vehicle ahead.
■Set speed
The set speed may be unsustainable depending on driving circumstances.
■Automatic cancelation of vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
Ve h i c l e - t o - v e h i c l e   d i s ta n c e   c o n t r o l   d r i v i n g   i s   a u t o m a t i c a l l y   c a n c e l e d   i n   t h e
following situations:
●Actual vehicle speed falls below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
●Enhanced VSC is activated.
●The sensor cannot operate correctly because it is covered in some way.
●The  windshield  wipers  are  operating  at  high  speed  (when  the  wiper
switch is set to the high speed windshield wiper operation position).
If vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving is automatically canceled for any
other reason, there may be a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota
dealer. 
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2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
■Automatic cancelation of constant speed control
The cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in the following sit-
uations:
●Actual  vehicle  speed  is  more  than  approximately  10  mph  (16  km/h)
below the set vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Ve h i c l e   s p e e d   f a l l s   b e l o w   a p p roximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
●Enhanced VSC is activated.
■Radar sensor and grille cover
Always keep the sensor and grille cover clean to ensure that the vehicle-to-
vehicle  distance  control  operates  properly.  (Some  obstructions,  such  as
snow, ice and plastic objects, cannot be detected by the obstruction sensor.)
Dynamic  radar  cruise  control  (vehicle-to-vehicle  distance  control  mode)  will
be canceled if dirt is detected. (Constant speed control mode can be used).
Grille cover
Radar sensor 
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2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
CAUTION
■When the sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply  the  brakes  as  necessary  when  any  of  the  following  types  of  vehicles
are in front of you.
As  the  sensor  may  not  be  able  to  correctly  detect  these  types  of  vehicles,
the approach warning (→P.   3 2 1 )   w i l l   n o t   b e   a c t i v a t e d ,   a n d   a   f a t a l   o r   s e r i o u s
accident may result.
●Ve h i c l e s   t h a t   c u t   i n   s u d d e n l y
●Ve h i c l e s   t r a v e l i n g   a t   l o w   s p e e d s
●Ve h i c l e s   t h a t   a r e   n o t   m o v i n g
●Ve h i c l e s   w i t h   s m a l l   r e a r   e n d s   ( t r a i l e r s   w i t h   n o   l o a d   o n   b o a r d   e t c . )
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
■Conditions  under  which  the  vehicle-to-vehicle  distance  control  may
not function correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the following conditions as the radar sen-
sor may not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and a fatal or serious
accident may result:
●When  water  or  snow  thrown  up  by  the  surrounding  vehicles  hinders  the
functioning of the sensor
●When your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the lug-
gage compartment etc.)
●When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
●When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
●When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly 
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2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
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When driving
CAUTION
■Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the cruise control system can function effec-
tively.
Otherwise, the system may not function correctly and could result in an acci-
dent.
●Keep the sensor and grille cover clean at all times.
Clean  the  sensor  and  grille  cover  with  a  soft  cloth  so  you  do  not  mark  or
damage them.
●Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact.
If  the  sensor  moves  even  slightly  off  position,  the  system  may  become
inaccurate or malfunction. If the sensor or surrounding area is subject to a
strong impact, always have the area inspected and adjusted by your Toy-
ota dealer.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do  not  attach  accessories  or  stickers  to  the  sensor,  grille  cover  or  sur-
rounding area.
●Do not modify or paint the sensor and grille cover.
●Do not replace them with non-genuine parts. 
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2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
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When driving
PCS (Pre-Collision System)∗
∗: If equipped
When  the  radar  sensor  detects  possibility  of  a  frontal  collision,  the
pre-collision systems such as the brakes and seat belts are automat-
ically engaged to lessen impact as well as vehicle damage.
■Pre-collision seat belts (front seat belts only)
If  the  pre-collision  sensor  detects  that  a  collision  is  unavoidable,  the
pre-collision system will retract the seat belt before the collision occurs.
The  same  will  happen  if  the  driver makes an emergency braking or
loses control of the vehicle. (→P.   1 6 2 )
However,  when  the  VSC  system  is  disabled,  the  system  will  not  oper-
ate in the event of skidding.
■Pre-collision brake assist
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system applies
greater  braking  force  in  relation  to  how  strongly  the  brake  pedal  is
depressed.
■Pre-collision braking
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system warns
the driver using a warning light, warning display and buzzer. If the sys-
tem determines that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes are automat-
ically applied to reduce the collision speed. Pre-collision braking can be
disabled using the pre-collision braking off switch. 
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2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
Disabling pre-collision braking
Pre-collision braking enabled
Pre-collision braking disabled
The  “PCS”  warning  light  will
turn  on  when  pre-collision
braking is disabled.
Radar sensor
The  radar  sensor  detects  vehi-
cles  or  other  obstacles  on  or
near  the  road  ahead  and  deter-
mines  whether  a  collision  is
imminent  based  on  the  position,
speed, and heading of the obsta-
cles.