sensor TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN 2012 User Guide

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. 2 6 8 )
■To u c h t r a c e r d i s p l a y ( i f e q u i p p e d )
●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.
To u c h i n g a n y o f t h e o t h e r s w i t c h e s w i l l n o t d i s p l a y t h e t o u c h t r a c e r d i s -
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

296
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30
seconds after a door is opened and closed if the “POWER” switch is
turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The lights turn off immedi-
ately if on the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if
the “POWER” switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and
the 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 or .
The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.
Air conditioning operation may also be
interrupted.
ITO23P105

297
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■Automatic headlight leveling system (if equipped)
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.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 6 3 9 )
NOTICE
■To p r e v e n t 1 2 - v o l t b a t t e r y d i s c h a r g e
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.

317
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles
up to approximately 400 ft. (120 m) ahead, determines the current
vehicle-to-vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain a suit-
able following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long
downhill slopes.

321
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
If the “POWER” switch is turned
off and then turned to ON mode
again, the vehicle will automati-
cally return to vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode.
Adjusting the speed setting:
→P. 3 1 4
Canceling and resuming the
speed setting: →P. 3 1 6
■Dynamic radar cruise control can be set when
●The shift position is in D.
●Ve h i c l e s p e e d i s a b o v e a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3 0 m p h ( 5 0 k m / h ) .
■Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
The vehicle can accelerate normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes. However, during vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the
vehicle speed may decrease below the set speed in order to maintain the
distance to the vehicle ahead.
■Set speed
The set speed may be unsustainable depending on driving circumstances.
■Automatic cancelation of vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
Ve h i c l e - t o - v e h i c l e d i s ta n c e c o n t r o l d r i v i n g i s a u t o m a t i c a l l y c a n c e l e d i n t h e
following situations:
●Actual vehicle speed falls below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
●Enhanced VSC is activated.
●The sensor cannot operate correctly because it is covered in some way.
●The windshield wipers are operating at high speed (when the wiper
switch is set to the high speed windshield wiper operation position).
If vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving is automatically canceled for any
other reason, there may be a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota
dealer.

322
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Automatic cancelation of constant speed control
The cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in the following sit-
uations:
●Actual vehicle speed is more than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h)
below the set vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Ve h i c l e s p e e d f a l l s b e l o w a p p roximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
●Enhanced VSC is activated.
■Radar sensor and grille cover
Always keep the sensor and grille cover clean to ensure that the vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control operates properly. (Some obstructions, such as
snow, ice and plastic objects, cannot be detected by the obstruction sensor.)
Dynamic radar cruise control (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode) will
be canceled if dirt is detected. (Constant speed control mode can be used).
Grille cover
Radar sensor

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. 3 1 9 ) w i l l n o t b e a c t i v a t e d , a n d a f a t a l o r s e r i o u s
accident may result.
●Ve h i c l e s t h a t c u t i n s u d d e n l y
●Ve h i c l e s t r a v e l i n g a t l o w s p e e d s
●Ve h i c l e s t h a t a r e n o t m o v i n g
●Ve h i c l e s w i t h s m a l l r e a r e n d s ( t r a i l e r s w i t h n o l o a d o n b o a r d e t c . )
●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

327
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
CAUTION
■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 grille cover clean at all times.
Clean the sensor and 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 become
inaccurate or malfunction. If the sensor or surrounding area is subject to a
strong impact, always have the area inspected and adjusted by your Toy-
ota 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.

335
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
PCS (Pre-Collision System)∗
∗: If equipped
When the radar sensor detects possibility of a frontal collision, the
pre-collision systems such as the brakes and seat belts are automat-
ically engaged to lessen impact as well as vehicle damage.
■Pre-collision seat belts (front seat belts only)
If the pre-collision sensor detects that a collision is unavoidable, the
pre-collision system will retract the seat belt before the collision occurs.
The same will happen if the driver makes an emergency braking or
loses control of the vehicle. (→P. 1 5 8 )
However, when the VSC system is disabled, the system will not oper-
ate in the event of skidding.
■Pre-collision brake assist
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system applies
greater braking force in relation to how strongly the brake pedal is
depressed.
■Pre-collision braking
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system warns
the driver using a warning light, warning display and buzzer. If the sys-
tem determines that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes are automat-
ically applied to reduce the collision speed. Pre-collision braking can be
disabled using the pre-collision braking off switch.

336
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Disabling pre-collision braking
Pre-collision braking enabled
Pre-collision braking disabled
The “PCS” warning light will
turn on when pre-collision
braking is disabled.
Radar sensor
The radar sensor detects vehi-
cles or other obstacles on or
near the road ahead and deter-
mines whether a collision is
imminent based on the position,
speed, and heading of the obsta-
cles.