load TOYOTA PRIUS 2010 3.G Owners Manual

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PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............... 150
Power (ignition) switch ........ 162
EV-Drive Mode.................... 168
Transmission....................... 171
Turn signal lever ................. 178
Parking brake ...................... 179
Horn .................................... 180
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ............ 181
Indicators and warning 
lights ................................. 185
Multi-information display ..... 188
2-3. Operating the lights 
and windshield wipers
Headlight switch .................. 206
Fog light switch ................... 209
Windshield wipers 
and washer ....................... 210
Rear window wiper 
and washer ....................... 212
Headlight cleaner switch ..... 213 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ..................... 214
Dynamic radar 
cruise control .................... 218
Rear view monitor 
system .............................. 231
LKA (Lane-Keeping 
Assist) .............................. 235
Hill-start assist control ........ 243
Driving assist systems ........ 245
Pre-Collision System .......... 249
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ............. 255
Vehicle load limits............... 260
Winter driving tips ............... 261
Trailer towing ...................... 266
Dinghy towing ..................... 267
2When driving

40 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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.

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1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors and back door
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Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■
Operating the back door
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may cause parts of the body to be caught, resulting in seri-
ous injury.
● Remove any heavy loads, such as snow and ice, from the back door
before opening it. Failure to do so may cause the back door fall closed
again after it is opened.
● When opening or closing the back door, thoroughly check to make sure
the surrounding area is safe.
● If anyone is in the vicinity, make sure they are safe and let them know that
the back door is about to open or close.
● Use caution when opening or closing the back door in windy weather as it
may move abruptly in strong wind.
●The back door may fall if it is not
opened fully. It is more difficult to open
or close the back door on an incline
than on a level surface, so beware of
the back door unexpectedly opening or
closing by itself. Make sure that the
back door is fully open and secure
before using the luggage compartment.

130 1-8. Safety information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■Front passenger occupant cl assification system precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding front passenger occupant clas-
sification system. 
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
● Wear the seat belt properly.
● Make sure the front passenger’s seat belt tab has not been left inserted
into the buckle before someone sits in the front passenger seat.
● Make sure the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is not illuminated when using
the seat belt extender for the front passenger seat. If the “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator light is illuminated, disconnect the extender tongue from the seat
belt buckle, then reconnect the seat belt. Reconnect the seat belt extender
after making sure the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illuminated. If you
use the seat belt extender while the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illumi-
nated, the front passenger airbag on the front passenger side may not
activate correctly, which could cause death or serious injury in the event of
collision.
● Do not apply a heavy load to the front passenger seat or equipment (e.g.
seatback pocket).
● Do not put weight on the front passenger seat by putting your hands or
feet on the front passenger seatback from the rear passenger seat.
● Do not let a rear passenger lift the front passenger seat with their feet or
press on the seatback with their legs.
● Do not put objects under the front passenger seat.
● Do not recline the front passenger seatback so far that it touches a rear
seat. This may cause the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light to be illuminated,
which indicates that the passenger’s airbags will not deploy in the event of
a severe accident. If the seatback touches the rear seat, return the seat-
back to a position where it does not touch the rear seat. Keep the front\

passenger seatback as upright as possible when the vehicle is moving.
Reclining the seatback excessively may lessen the effectiveness of the
seat belt system.

When driving2
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PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............ 150
Power (ignition) switch ..... 162
EV-Drive Mode................. 168
Transmission.................... 171
Turn signal lever .............. 178
Parking brake ................... 179
Horn ................................. 180
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ......... 181
Indicators and warning 
lights .............................. 185
Multi-information  display............................ 188 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............... 206
Fog light switch ................ 209
Windshield wipers 
and washer .................... 210
Rear window wiper  and washer .................... 212
Headlight 
cleaner switch ................ 213
2-4. Using other driving systems Cruise control ................... 214
Dynamic radar 
cruise control ................. 218
Rear view monitor 
system ........................... 231
LKA (Lane-Keeping 
Assist) ............................ 235
Hill-start assist control ...... 243
Driving assist systems ..... 245
Pre-Collision System........ 249
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage .......... 255
Vehicle load limits ............ 260
Winter driving tips ............ 261
Trailer towing ................... 266
Dinghy towing .................. 267

208 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Automatic light off system
● When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after a door is opened and closed if the “POWER” switch has been
switched to ACCESSORY mode or OFF.
● When only the tail lights are on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
“POWER” switch is switched to ACCESSORY mode or OFF and 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 the
or position.
■ Automatic headlight leveling system (vehicles with LED headlights)
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.
■ If the indicator flashes... (vehicles with LED headlights)
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. 
(Customizable features P. 587)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary if the hybrid system is not
operating.

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2-4. Using other
driving systems
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When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury.
● In heavy traffic
● On roads with sharp bends
● On winding roads
● On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice and snow
● On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up
and down gradients 
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
● At entrances to expressways
● When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sen-
sors from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
● When an approach warning buzzer can be heard often
■ When the sensor may not be corr ectly 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. 227) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious
accident may result.
● Vehicles that cut in suddenly
● Vehicles traveling at low speeds
● Vehicles that are not moving
● Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
● Motorcycles traveling in the same lane

230 2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■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
■ 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 front grille cover clean at all times. 
Clean the sensor and front 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 malfunction.
If the sensor or surrounding area is subject to a strong impact, always
have the area inspected and adjusted by a Toyota 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
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When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■Situations unsuitable for the LKA system
Using the LKA system in any of the following situations may result in
improper operation of the system and could lead to an accident, causing
death or serious injury. Turn the LKA system off while driving in any of the
following situations.
● When it is difficult to see lane markings because they are dirty or not clear
● When it is difficult to see lane markings due to rain, snow, fog or glare
● When the headlights are not bright enough due to dirt on the lenses or if
the headlight aim is not adjusted appropriately
● When a lane marking is not present, such as before tollbooths on a free-
way
● When sudden changes in the light level occur repetitively
● When there are misleading lines such as shadows, lines of snow, wheel
ruts with rain collected in them, or lines that remain after road repairs
● When driving in lanes other than the driving lane or passing lane on free-
way or motor highways
● When there is a lane closure due to road repairs or when driving in a
makeshift lane
● When the lanes are narrow or wide
● When the distance from the vehicle ahead of you is short
● When the vehicle leans to one side an unusual amount due to a heavy
load or improper tire inflation pressure
● When driving on winding roads or on uneven roads
● When driving on slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or \
snow
● The tires have been exchanged (including snow tires), or the suspension
has been modified

248 2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■When the Enhanced VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes and a warning buzzer sounds. Always drive
carefully. 
Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the
indicator light flashes and a buzzer sounds.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total
load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the speci-
fied tire pressure level.
The ABS and Enhanced VSC will not function correctly if different tires are
fitted on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.