transmission TOYOTA PRIUS 2008 2.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
1-1. Hybrid system .................... 22Hybrid system ...................... 22
1-2. Key information .................. 34 Keys ..................................... 34
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors and
back door .......................... 36
Smart key system................. 36
Wireless remote control ....... 49
Doors.................................... 51
Back door ............................. 54
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering
wheel) ................................ 57
Front seats ........................... 57
Rear seats ............................ 59
Head restraints ..................... 62
Seat belts ............................. 64
Steering wheel ..................... 70
Anti- glare inside rear view mirror .................................. 71
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 73
1-5. Opening and closing the windows and
moon roof ......................... 75
Power windows .................... 75
1-6. Refueling ............................. 78 Opening the fuel tank cap .... 78 1-7. Theft deterrent system ....... 81
Immobilizer system ............... 81
Alarm .................................... 84
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.) ............................... 86
1-8. Safety information .............. 87 Correct driving posture ......... 87
SRS airbags ......................... 89
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 101
Child restraint systems ....... 107
Installing child restraints ..... 110
2-1. Driving procedures........... 120 Driving 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
1Before driving
2When driving

25
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. Always put the shift lever in “P” when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating, and are not a malfunction.
● Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind
the rear seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door lid is
open.
● Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the hybrid system
starts or stops.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard from the regenerative brake when you press the
brake pedal.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● You may hear cooling fan sounds coming from the air intake vents behind
the rear seat.
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

When driving2
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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

124 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to “R”, “N” or push the
“P” position switch while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission and may result
in a loss of vehicle control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake not to operate properly and lead to
an accident.
● Do not turn the hybrid system off while driving.
The power steering and brake actuator will not operate properly if the
hybrid system is not running.
● Use engine braking (“B”) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 136)
● When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.

129
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
NOTICE
■
If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 441)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, transmission fluid for the
hybrid system, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

136
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
You can operate the
shift lever only in “D”.
Keep the shift lever in
“N” for a while after you
shift it to that position.
The shift lever always
returns to this original
position after shifting
operation.
ITY21P003

138 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■Using engine brake
To use the engine braking, shift the shift lever to “B” position.
● During high speed driving, you may feel that deceleration by engine brak-
ing is less than that of a typical vehicle.
● Do not continue normal driving with the transmission in “B” for a long
time.
This may cause decreased fuel economy. To prevent this, use “D” for
normal driving.
■ Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into “R”, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
lever is in “R”.
■ If the system malfunctions
The following conditions, there is some problem in the system.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
● The indicator on the “P” position switch flashes. However, this does not
indicate a malfunction unless a warning message appears in the touch
screen.
● All frames of shift position indicators in the instrument cluster flash.
● The parking system error message appears on the touch screen.
● The instrument cluster and touch screen does not come on when the
“POWER” switch is in ON mode.

139
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Alarms
The following table describes circumstances and correction procedures
when only alarms are sound.
*: Follow the warning message displayed.
AlarmSituationCorrection procedure
Interior alarm sounds once The driver attempts to shift
out of the “P” position with-
out pressing the brake
pedal.
The transmission will
not move out of the “P”
position, so press the
brake pedal before
attempting to shift
again.
The “P” position switch is
pressed while the vehicle
is moving.
The transmission will
automatically be set to
the “N” position, so
select the appropriate
position.
The driver attempts to shift
to the “R” position while the
vehicle is in forward
motion.
The driver attempts to shift
to the “D” position while the
vehicle is in rearward
motion.
The driver attempts to
select the “B” position
while in a shift position
other than “D” and “P”.
The driver attempts to
select the “B” position
while in the “P” position.
The transmission will
not move out of the “P”
position.
Interior alarm beep sounds and warning message
*
If the driver’s door is
opened when the transmis-
sion is in “N”, “D” or “B”. Push the “P” position
switch.

354 4-2. Maintenance
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal
effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism • Can the vehicle be hold securely on an
incline with the shift lever in “P”?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and
correct amount of free play?
Brakes • Pulls to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on an
incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system operate
smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

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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.