warning light TOYOTA PRIUS PHV 2012 User Guide

200 1-9. Safety information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Unoccupied
■ There is a malfunction in the system
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator lightsNot illuminated
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
Devices Front passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat Activated
Curtain shield airbag in the front passen-
ger side
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner Deactivated
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator lights “AIR BAG
OFF”
SRS warning light On
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Off
Devices Front passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Activated
Curtain shield airbag in the front passen-
ger side
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner

203
1-9. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
■
Front passenger occupant cl assification system precautions
● 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.
● If an adult sits in the front passenger seat, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator
light is illuminated. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the
passenger to sit up straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and
with the seat belt worn correctly. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator still
remains illuminated, either ask the passenger to move to the rear seat, or
if that is not possible, move the front passenger seat fully rearward.
● When it is unavoidable to install a forward-facing child restraint system on
the front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front pas-
senger seat in the proper order. ( P. 209)
● Do not modify or remove the front seats.
● Do not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Other-
wise, the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction of the
detection system. In this case, contact your Toyota dealer immediately.
● Child restraint systems installed on the rear seat should not contact the
front seatbacks.
● Do not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion and seat cover, that cov-
ers the seat cushion surface.
● Do not modify or replace the upholstery of the front seat.

When driving2
223
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............ 224
Power (ignition) switch ..... 238
Hybrid transmission ......... 245
Turn signal lever .............. 254
Parking brake ................... 255
Horn ................................. 256
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ......... 257
Indicators and warning lights .............................. 262
Multi-information display............................ 266
Head-up display ............... 285 2-3.Operating the lights and
windshi

eld wipers
Headlight switch ............... 292
Fog light switch ................ 298
Windshield wipers and washer ........................... 300
Rear window wiper and washer ........................... 304
Headlight cleaner switch ............................. 307
2-4. Using other driving systems Cruise control ................... 308
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................ 312
Driving assist systems ..... 328
Hill-start assist control ...... 333
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .......................... 335
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage .......... 343
Vehicle load limits ............ 348
Winter driving tips ............ 349
Trailer towing ................... 354
Dinghy towing .................. 355

235
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
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 vehicle 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 that 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.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the others will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase. If this happens, do not continue to drive the vehicle. If the brake
system warning light (red indicator) comes on while driving, immediately
stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.

261
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
To prevent an accident
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The engine may be overheating if the high coolant temperature warning light
comes on or flashes. In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( P. 600)
Do not place anything or attach a sticker
in front of the instrument cluster. The item
may obscure or obstruct the display, or
could reflect off the display, possibly
causing an accident.Instrument cluster

262
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Indicators and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and
instrument panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s vari-
ous systems.
For the purpose of explanation, the following illustration displays all
indicators and warning lights illuminated.
Instrument cluster
Some indicators and the units used on the display may differ
depending on the target region.
Instrument panel

263
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the
vehicle’s various systems.
Turn signal indicator
(P. 254)Eco Driving Indicator
Light ( P. 268)
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
(P. 292)“ECO MODE”
indicator ( P. 247)
(Canada)
Tail light indicator
(P. 292)Power mode indicator
(P. 247)
Headlight high beam
indicator ( P. 295)
(if equipped)
Cruise control indicator
(P. 308, 320)
Front fog light indicator
(P. 298)
(if equipped)
Radar cruise control
indicator ( P. 312)
Security indicator
(P. 179)
(if equipped)
“SET” indicator
(P. 308, 320)
“READY” indicator
(P. 238)Slip indicator
(P. 329, 333)
EV indicator ( P. 268)
(if equipped)
“PCS” warning
(P. 336)
EV drive mode indica-
tor ( P. 35)Charging timer indicator
(P. 86)
*1, 2
*1, 3

265
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS and SRS airbag warning light
not come on when you start the hybrid system, this could mean that these
systems are not available to help protect you in an accident, which could
result in death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately if this occurs.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the
vehicle’s systems. ( P. 533)
*1: These lights turn on when the “POWER” switch is turned to ON
mode to indicate that a system check is being performed. They will
turn off after the hybrid system is on, or after a few seconds. There
may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not come on, or if
the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
*2: The light flashes to indicate a malfunction.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada) (red)(yellow)(if equipped)
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(if equipped)(if equipped)
(if equipped)
*1*1*1*1*1*1*1*1
*1*1*1*1*1, 2*1*2
*2*1*1

323
2-4. Using other
driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■Warning lights, messages and buzzers for dynamic radar cruise con-
trol
Warning lights, warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a sys-
tem malfunction or to inform the driver of the need for caution while driving.
■ Certification
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
FCC ID: HYQDNMWR004
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC WARNING
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Radiofrequency radiation exposure Information:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment.
This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance of
20 cm between the radiator (antenna) and your body.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any
other antenna or transmitter.
For vehicles sold in Canada
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, includ-
ing interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

330 2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC and
TRAC
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the hybrid
system is started, just after the vehicle begins to move, if the brake pedal
is depressed forcefully or repeatedly, or 1-2 minutes after the hybrid sys-
tem is stopped. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may
be heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur,
refrain from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid
system off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ Electric power steering system warning light
 P. 540