steering TOYOTA PRIUS PHV 2012 Service Manual

236 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain driving torque.
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold 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 br ake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
● 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. 448)

243
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
When the P position cont rol system malfunctions
The “POWER” switch will not be able to be turned off. In such a case, the
switch can be turned off after applying the parking brake.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Ending display
When the “POWER” switch is turned off, each of the following will be dis-
played on the multi-information display, and will extinguish after approxi-
mately 30 seconds.
● The driving distance, driving time and consumption since the hybrid sys-
tem was started.
● The odometer
● The clock
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any cir-
cumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehi-
cle, press and hold the “POWER” switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 607)
However, do not touch the “POWER” switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will \
be lost.
This will make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over
and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

256
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Hor n
■After adjusting the steering wheel
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked.
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked.
(P. 165)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.

258 2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Touch tracer display (if equipped)When the audio control switches,
climate control switches, “DISP”
button or “TRIP” button of the
steering wheel are touched, the
touch tracer display will appear
in front of the gauges, with the
touched button highlighted to
allow the driver to identify the
button that is being operated.
The button can then be operated
by further presses.
If an audio/navigation system is
used that is not compatible with
the steering switches in this vehi-
cle, the audio switch display may
not operate correctly.

267
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
Switching the display
To switch the display, press
“DISP” button.
On vehicles with touch tracer dis-
play, the steering switches opera-
tion status is displayed on the
instrument cluster for confirma-
tion purposes. (P. 258)
To switch the odometer, trip
meter and distance to empty,
press “TRIP” button.

278 2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Switching the steering switch operation display on/off (if
equipped)
Select “STEERING SWITCH”.
Press and hold the “DISP” button
to enter the setting mode.
Select “ON” or “OFF”.
Press and hold the “DISP” button
to finish setting.
STEP 1
STEP 2

283
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
Driving in Eco drive mode
The multi-information display will automatically switch the display to Hybrid
System Indicator, regardless of which display is currently being shown.
(P. 268)
■ Touch tracer display (if equipped)
● The touch tracer display can be set to not display even if the steering
switches are touched.
● Only the circular, rubber-covered switches have a built-in touch sensor.
Touching any of the other switches will not display the touch tracer dis-
play.
■ Display settings can be changed when
The vehicle speed is less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
■ Engine speed
On hybrid vehicles, engine speed is precisely controlled in order to help
improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions etc. There are times
when the engine speed that is displayed may differ even when vehicle oper-
ation and driving conditions are the same.
■ When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
The following data will be reset.
● Average fuel consumption
● Distance to empty
● Average vehicle speed
● EV driving ratio
● Clock
● Display settings
● Trip meter

284 2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Vacuum fluorescent display
Small spots or light spots may appear on the display. This phenomenon is
characteristic of vacuum fluorescent displays, and there is no problem to
continue using the display.
NOTICE
■Steering switches
To prevent damage to the steering switches, observe the following precau-
tions.
● Do not touch the steering switches with wet hands
● Do not push hard or sharp objects into the steering switches
● Do not subject the steering switches to strong impacts
● Do not allow organic solvents containing thinner, benzene or gasoline, or
acidic/alkaline soap to adhere to the surfaces of the steering switches

326 2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
■When the sensor may not be correctly 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. 319) 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
■ 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

328
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too h eavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road
surfaces by controlling steering performance.