TOYOTA PRIUS 2019 Owners Manual (in English)

PRIUS_OM_OM47C35U_(U)
2314-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may le ad to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray ov er the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do n ot place con-
tainers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard. Adhe-
sive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunligh t may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift position to P, stop the hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
If the vehicle is parked with the shift position in P but the parking brake is
not set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the “READY” indicator is illuminated
or immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.

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PRIUS_OM_OM47C35U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the veh icle is parked in
a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the electronically controlled assist function does not operate, do not fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns th at require
braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● The brake system consists of 2 or more individual hydraulic systems; if
one of the systems fails, the other(s) will still operate. In this case, the
brake pedal should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking
distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.

PRIUS_OM_OM47C35U_(U)
2334-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same tim e during
driving, as this may restrain the hybrid system output.
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift the shift position to P. Failure to do
so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and ho ld it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ 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 depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire: P. 701, 721

234
PRIUS_OM_OM47C35U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. D oing 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 i s flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
transmission, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
If the shift control system is damaged by flooding, it may not be possible to
shift the shift position to P, or from P to other positions. When the shift posi-
tion cannot be changed from P to any other position, the front wheels will
lock, and you will be unable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the
ground, as the front wheels may be locked. In this case, transp ort the vehi-
cle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted. ( P. 674)

235
PRIUS_OM_OM47C35U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Cargo and luggage
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occ upants)
Steps for Determini ng Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The co mbined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers t hat
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers fr om
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo an d lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there wil l be
five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400  750 (5150) =
650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loa ded
on the vehicle. That weight may n ot safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capac ity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your tra iler will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine h ow
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of y our
vehicle. ( P. 238)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Y our
vehicle is not desig ned for trailer towing.
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load.
Capacity and distribution

236
PRIUS_OM_OM47C35U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight) (P. 754)
When 2 people with the combined weight of A lb. (kg) are riding in
your vehicle, which has a total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight)
of B lb. (kg), the available amount of cargo and luggage load c apacity
will be C lb. (kg) as follows:
B
*2 lb. (kg)  A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb. (kg)
*1: A = Weight of people
*2: B = Total load capacity
*3: C = Available cargo and luggage load
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weigh t of
D lb. (kg) get on, the availabl e cargo and luggage load will be reduced
E lb. (kg) as follows:
C lb. (kg)  D*4 lb. (kg) = E*5 lb. (kg)
*4: D = Additional weight of people
*5: E = Available cargo and luggage load
As shown in the example above, if the number of occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage load will be reduced by an amo unt
that equals the increased weight due to the additional occupant s. In
other words, if an increase in the number of occupants causes a n
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus
cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage on
your vehicle.
Calculation formul a for your vehicle
1
2

PRIUS_OM_OM47C35U_(U)
2374-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed pr operly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting t he driver or
passengers, possibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever poss i-
ble.
●Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment highe r
than the seatbacks.
●When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be pla ced
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is no t
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat
belts properly fastened.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rea r seats (when stacking items)
• On the luggage co ver (if equipped)
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehic le
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. I mproper
loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.

238
PRIUS_OM_OM47C35U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 754
Total load capacity means the co mbined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the max imum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towi ng a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading inform ation label.
(  P. 632)
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capaci t y,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering
and braking ability, res ulting in an accident.

239
PRIUS_OM_OM47C35U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch
or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bi cy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not des igned for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch mounted carriers.

240
PRIUS_OM_OM47C35U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the hybrid transmission an d
AWD system (AWD models)
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the hybrid transmission.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the hybrid
transmission and AWD system.