towing TOYOTA PRIUS 2008 2.G Owners Manual

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PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Headlight switch (Type B) ............................ 153
Fog light switch ................... 156
Windshield wipers and washer (Type A) ............... 158
Windshield wipers and washer (Type B) ............... 160
Rear window wiper and washer (Type A) ............... 162
Rear window wiper and washer (Type B) ............... 163
2-4. Using other driving systems ........................... 164
Cruise control ...................... 164
Rear view monitor system... 167
Driving assist systems ........ 170
2-5. Driving information ........... 173 Cargo and luggage ............. 173
Vehicle load limits ............... 176
Winter driving tips ............... 177
Trailer towing ...................... 181
Dinghy towing ..................... 182
3-1. Using the touch screen .... 186 Touch screen ...................... 186
Setting the touch screen (Vehicles with AUX
adapter) ............................ 191
Setting the touch screen (Vehicles without AUX
adapter) ............................ 196 3-2. Using the air conditioning
system and
defogger .......................... 201
Automatic air conditioning system (Vehicles with AUX
adapter) ............................ 201
Automatic air conditioning system (Vehicles without
AUX adapter) ................... 208
Using the steering wheel climate remote control
switches ........................... 215
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ......................... 217
3-3. Using the audio system ... 219 Audio system type (Vehicle with AUX adapter) ............ 219
Audio system type (Vehicle without AUX adapter) ....... 222
Using the radio (vehicle with AUX adapter) ............ 225
Using the radio (Vehicle without AUX adapter) ....... 234
Using the CD player (Vehicle with AUX
adapter) ............................ 239
Using the CD player (Vehicle without AUX
adapter) ............................ 247
Playing MP3 and WMA discs ................................. 254
Optimal use of the audio (Vehicle with AUX
adapter) ............................ 262
Optimal use of the audio system (Vehicle without
AUX adapter) ................... 266
3Interior features

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
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Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.
● Pull your vehicle off the road, put the shift lever in “P”, apply the parking
brake, turn the hybrid system off.
● Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
● If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric
shock may occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
● If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch it as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte
from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with your
skin or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or if pos-
sible, boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
● If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even
a small amount of water may be dangerous.
● If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the rear wheels raised. If the
wheels with the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground when
towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may cause an
electricity leakage leading to a fire. (
P. 416)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery air vent
● Do not put foreign objects over the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat and be damaged.
● Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
● Do not wet the air vent. It may cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid
battery (traction battery).
● Do not load a large amount of water such as an aquarium into the vehicle.
If water spills over the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may be
damaged.

When driving2
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PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
2-1. Driving procedures ........ 120Driving the vehicle............ 120
Power (ignition) switch ..... 130
Transmission.................... 136
Turn signal lever (Type A) ......................... 140
Turn signal lever (Type B) ......................... 141
Parking brake ................... 142
2-2. Instrument cluster.......... 143 Gauges and meters ......... 143
Indicators and warning lights .............................. 146 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers ........ 150
Headlight switch (Type A) ......................... 150
Headlight switch (Type B) ......................... 153
Fog light switch ................ 156
Windshield wipers and washer (Type A) ............ 158
Windshield wipers and washer (Type B) ............ 160
Rear window wiper and washer (Type A) ............ 162
Rear window wiper and washer (Type B) ............ 163
2-4. Using other driving systems ........................ 164
Cruise control ................... 164
Rear view monitor system ........................... 167
Driving assist systems ..... 170
2-5. Driving information ........ 173 Cargo and luggage .......... 173
Vehicle load limits ............ 176
Winter driving tips ............ 177
Trailer towing ................... 181
Dinghy towing .................. 182

174 2-5. Driving information
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle. ( P. 176)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are
riding in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of 815 lb. (370
kg), the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be
as follows:
810 lb. — 366 lb. = 444 lb. (365 kg — 166 kg = 199 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more pa ssengers with the combined weight of
388 lb. (176 kg) get on , the available cargo and luggage load will be
reduced as follows:
444 lb. — 388 lb. = 56 lb. (199 kg — 176 kg = 23 kg)
As shown in the above example, if the number of occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage load equaling the combined weight
of the occupants who got on later, by an amount. In other words, if an
increase in the number of occupants causes an excess of the total
load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus cargo and luggage
load), you must reduce the carg o and luggage on your vehicle.

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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label. (P. 388)
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the ti res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 810 lb. (365 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants,
cargo and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the ma ximum number of occupants
whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants are within the seating capacity,
do not exceed the total load capacity.
■ Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the
weight and the number of occupants.

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Toy-
ota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the
use of a tow hitch carri er for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your
Toyota is not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch
mounted carriers.
ITY25P001

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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.
,7<3

338 3-7. Other interior features
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■Stowing the luggage cover
CAUTION
■While driving
To avoid injury, always return the cargo hooks to their positions when they
are not in use.
Remove the side deck boards and
open the auxiliary box.
Adjust the cover so that “TOP” is facing
up.STEP1
ITY37P015
STEP2

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PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer before towing.
● The hybrid system is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet. This should only attempted on hard, surfaced roads for
short distances below 18 mph (30km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or a flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
If towing from the front, the vehicle ’s rear wheel and axles must be in
good condition. ( P. 420)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

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When trouble arises
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5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Towing eyelet
ITY51P001
■
Emergency towin g procedure
Release the parking brake.
Put the shift lever in “N”.
Turn the “POWER” switch to ACCESSORY (hybrid system off) or
ON mode hybrid system operating).
CAUTION
■ While towing
● Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelet and the cable or chain.
● If the hybrid system is not running, the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious dama ge to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the four wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the transmission.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3