tow TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS 2012 User Guide

119 1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Adjusting the height of the head restraints (front seats)
Adjusting the second and third seats head restraint
Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position when
using.
CAUTION
Head restraint precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the head restraints. Failure to
do so may result in death or serious injury.
Use the head restraints designed for each respective seat.
Adjust the head restraints to the correct position at all times.
After adjusting the head restraints, push down on them and make sure
they are locked in position.
Do not drive with the head restraints removed.
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.

165 1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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.
Since the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the first 50 - 75 mm (2 - 3 in.)
of inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10 in.) 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 250
mm (10 in.) 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 250 mm
(10 in.) distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, simply
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 above, while still maintaining
control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.

167 1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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.

2When driving
201
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle ............ 202
Power (ignition) switch...... 214
EV drive mode .................. 221
Hybrid transmission .......... 224
Turn signal lever ............... 233
Parking brake ................... 234
Horn .................................. 2352-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters .......... 236
Indicators and warning
lights ............................... 248
Head-up display ................ 253
2-3. Operating the lights
and windshield wipers
Headlight switch................ 261
Fog light switch ................. 266
Windshield wipers
and washer ..................... 268
Rear window wiper
and washer ..................... 272
Headlight cleaner switch ... 274
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control.................... 275
Dynamic radar cruise
control ............................. 280
Driving assist systems ...... 298
Hill-start assist control....... 304
PCS (Pre-Crash Safety
System) .......................... 307
2-5. Driving information
Cargo and luggage ........... 316
Winter driving tips ............. 319
Trailer towing .................... 323

213 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
NOTICE
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing 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 is flooded, be
sure to have any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional check the following:
Brake function
Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, transmission fluid for the
hybrid system, etc.
Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
If the P position control system is damaged by flooding, it may not be possi-
ble to shift the shift position to P, or from P to other positions. When the shift
position 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, transport the
vehicle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted.

225 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Shift position indicator
The position of the frame on the shift position indicator changes in
accordance with the current shift position.
When any shift position other than D or B is selected, the arrow toward
B and B position indicator disappear from the shift position indicator.
When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift position has
been changed to the desired position by checking the shift position indica-
tor provided on the instrument cluster.
Shift position purpose
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usu-
ally be used.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
BApplying moderate engine braking when driving
down hills or on steep slopes

262 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Turning on the high beam headlights
With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to
turn on the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once.
You can flash the high beams
with the headlights on or off.
Manual headlight leveling dial (if equipped)
The level of the headlights can be adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle.
Raises the level of the head-
lights
Lowers the level of the head-
lights

277 2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Canceling and resuming the constant speed control
Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the constant speed
control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Pushing the lever up
resumes the constant
speed control.
Resuming is available when
the vehicle speed is more
than approximately 40 km/h
(25 mph).

279 2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting
in death or serious injury.
In heavy traffic
On roads with sharp bends
On winding roads
On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
During emergency towing

284 2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Canceling and resuming the speed control
Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the cruise control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Pushing the lever up
resumes the cruise control
and returns vehicle speed
to the set speed.
Resuming is available when
the vehicle speed is more
than approximately 40 km/h
(25 mph).