tow TOYOTA PRIUS PHV 2012 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
1Before driving
Information on the plug-in hybrid system and adjusting
and operating features such as door locks, mirrors, and
steering column
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in-
terior features for a comfortable driving experience
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
1-9. Safety informationCorrect driving posture........ 182
SRS airbags ........................ 184
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 198
Child restraint systems........ 204
Installing child restraints...... 209
2-1. Driving procedures Driving 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
windshield 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
2When driving

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 424
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............. 428
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..................... 431
General maintenance.......... 434
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................... 438
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 439
Hood ................................... 442
Positioning a floor jack ........ 445
Replacing the tire ................ 448
Engine compartment ........... 459
12-volt battery ..................... 471
Tires .................................... 476
Tire inflation pressure ......... 486
Wheels ................................ 490
Electronic key battery.......... 493
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 495
Light bulbs........................... 507 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers............ 524
If your vehicle needs to be towed................................ 525
If you think something is wrong ............................... 532
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds.............................. 533
If a warning message is displayed .......................... 546
If you have a flat tire ........... 566
If the hybrid system will not start .................................. 588
If you lose your keys........... 590
If the electronic key does not operate properly ......... 591
If the 12-volt battery is discharged........................ 594
If your vehicle overheats .... 600
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 605
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 607
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

50 1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with front wheels raised. If the
wheels connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground
when towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may
cause a fire. ( P. 525)
● Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery) (lit hium-ion battery) replacement and
disposal
Do not replace, dispose of, modify, or reuse the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) and do not use it for anything other than its intended use. Contact your
Toyota dealer for replacement or disposal.
If the hybrid battery (traction battery) is replaced, disposed of, modify or
reused in an improper way, or if the hybrid battery (traction battery) is used in
a way it is not intended for, there is a risk of severe burns and electrical
shock that may result in death or serious injury.
Also, improper handling of the hybrid battery (traction battery) can lead to
environmental hazards.

85
1-2. Charging
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■
After charging
Pull the charging connector
towards you while pressing
the latch release button.
If the charging connector is
disconnected during charging
(while the charging indicator is
on), charging will be inter-
rupted.
Attach the charging connector
cap.
Close the charging port lid.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

119
1-4. Opening, closing and locking the doors
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■
Conditions aff ecting operation
The smart key system, wireless remote control and immobilizer system use
weak radio waves. In the following situations, the communication between
the electronic key and the vehicle may be affected, preventing the smart key
system, wireless remote control and immobilizer system from operating
properly. (Ways of coping: P. 591)
● When the electronic key battery is depleted
● Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electri-
cal noise
● When carrying a portable radio, ce llular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication devices
● When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following
metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
● When other wireless key (that emit radio waves) is being used nearby
● When carrying the electronic key together with the following devices that
emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio
waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to
the rear window

149
1
1-5. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Rear seats
Before folding down the seatbacksPark the vehicle in a safe place.
Apply the parking brake firmly and shift the shift position to P.
(P. 248)
Adjust the position of the front seat and the angle of the seat-
back. (
P. 146)
Depending on the position of the front seat, if the seatback is folded
backward, it may interfere with the operation of the rear seat.
Stow the buckle of the seat belts.
Lower the head restraint of the rear seat. (
P. 152)
Vehicles with an armrest: Stow the armrest of the rear seat if it
is pulled out. ( P. 399)
This step is not necessary when operating the driver’s side seat only.
The seatbacks can be folded down.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

154 1-5. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Installing the head restraints
Front and rear center seats
Rear outside seats
■ Adjusting the height of the head restraints
■ Adjusting the rear cent er seat head restraint
Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position when
using.
Align the head restraint with the installa-
tion holes and push it down to the lock
position.
Press and hold the lock release button
when lowering the head restraint.
Lock
release
button
Align the head restraint with the installa-
tion holes and push it down to the lowest
lock position.
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.

192 1-9. Safety information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
● The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
● The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises:
Since the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm)
of inflation, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag pro-
vides you with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in.
(250 mm) away now, you can change your driving position in several
ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in.
(250 mm) distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, sim-
ply by reclining the back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of
your seat makes it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non-slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle has that feature\
.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air- bag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still
maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the
instrument panel controls.

194 1-9. Safety information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
● Do not sit on the edge of the seat or
lean against the dashboard.
● Do not allow a child to stand in front of
the SRS front passenger airbag unit or
sit on the knees of a front passenger.
● Do not allow the front seat occupants to
hold items on their knees.
● Do not lean against the door, the roof
side rail or the front, side and rear pil-
lars.
● Do not allow anyone to kneel on the
passenger seat toward the door or put
their head or hands outside the vehicle.