power steering TOYOTA PRIUS V 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
1-1. Hybrid systemHybrid system features ........ 28
Hybrid system precautions ........................ 34
Energy monitor/consumption screen ................................ 40
Hybrid vehicle driving tips .... 50
1-2. Key information Keys ..................................... 52
1-3. Opening, closing and locking
the doors
Smart key system................. 55
Wireless remote control ....... 69
Side doors ............................ 71
Back door ............................. 76
1-4. Adjustable components
(seats, mirrors, steering
wheel)
Front seats ........................... 81
Rear seats ............................ 85
Head restraints ..................... 90
Seat belts ............................. 92
Steering wheel ................... 104
Inside rear view mirror........ 105
Outside rear view mirrors .............................. 107 1-5. Openi
ng and closing
the windows
Power windows................... 109
1-6. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .................................... 112
1-7. Theft deterrent system Immobilizer system ............. 116
Theft prevention labels (for the U.S.A.) ................. 118
1-8. Safety information Correct driving posture ....... 119
SRS airbags ....................... 121
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 135
Child restraint systems ....... 141
Installing child restraints ..... 146
1Before driving

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
3-1. Using the air conditioningsystem a nd defogger
Automatic air conditioning system .............................. 278
Using the steering wheel climate remote control
switches ........................... 291
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger
switch ............................... 293
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system types ............ 294
3-3. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................. 299
• Interior lights .................... 300
• Personal lights ................. 301 3-4. Using the storage features
List of storage features ....... 303
• Glove boxes ..................... 305
• Console box ..................... 306
• Cup holders ...................... 307
• Bottle holders ................... 309
• Auxiliary boxes ................. 310
• Door pockets .................... 311
• Card holder ....................... 311
3-5. Other interior features Sun visors ........................... 312
Vanity mirrors ..................... 313
Clock................................... 314
Power outlets ...................... 315
Seat heaters ....................... 317
Armrest ............................... 319
Panoramic roof shades....... 320
Floor mats........................... 324
Luggage compartment features ............................ 326
Garage door opener ........... 330
Safety Connect ................... 338
3Interior features

Before driving1
27
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
1-1. Hybrid systemHybrid system features ...... 28
Hybrid system precautions ...................... 34
Energy monitor/consumption screen .............................. 40
Hybrid vehicle driving tips ................................... 50
1-2. Key information Keys ................................... 52
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Smart key system .............. 55
Wireless remote control ..... 69
Side doors .......................... 71
Back door ........................... 76
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering
wheel)
Front seats ......................... 81
Rear seats.......................... 85
Head restraints................... 90
Seat belts ........................... 92
Steering wheel ................. 104
Inside rear view mirror ..... 105
Outside rear view mirrors............................ 107 1-5. Opening and closing
the windows
Power windows ................ 109
1-6. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ................................. 112
1-7. Theft deterrent system Immobilizer system .......... 116
Theft prevention labels (for the U.S.A.) ............... 118
1-8. Safety information Correct driving posture ........................... 119
SRS airbags ..................... 121
Front passenger occupant classification system ...... 135
Child restraint systems..... 141
Installing child restraints ........................ 146

105
1
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
Inside rear view mirror
Glare from the headlights of vehicles behind can be reduced by
using the following functions:
Manual anti-glare inside rear view mirrorNormal position
Anti-glare position
Auto anti-glare inside rear view mirror
In “AUTO” mode, sensors are used to detect the headlights of vehi-
cles behind and the reflected light is automatically reduced.
Turns automatic mode on
Turns automatic mode off
The indicator comes on when
automatic mode is turned on.
The mirror will revert to auto-
matic mode each time the
“POWER” switch is turned to
ON mode.
Indicator

108 1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
■Mirror angle can be adjusted when
The “POWER” switch is in ACCESSORY or ON mode.
■ When the mirrors are fogged up
Turn on the mirror defoggers to defog the mirrors. ( P. 293)
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
Observe the following precautions while driving.
Failing to do so may result in loss of control of the vehicle and cause an acci-
dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
● Do not adjust the mirrors while driving.
● Do not drive with the mirrors folded.
● Both the driver and passenger side mirrors must be extended and properly
adjusted before driving.
■ When a mirror is moving
To avoid personal injury and mirror malfunction, be careful not to get your
hand caught by the moving mirror.
■ When the mirror defo ggers are operating
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces, as they can become very hot and
burn you.

166 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
CAUTION
●Do not shift the shift position to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Do not shift the shift position to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Do not shift the shift position to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Moving the shift position to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage
the hybrid system. Engine braking is not available with the hybrid system
disengaged.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. 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.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 491
● Use engine braking (shift position B) to maintain a safe speed when driv-
ing down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (P. 183)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents,
resulting in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.

171
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
2
When driving
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 brake 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. 460)

178 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
■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.
■ Meter display
When the “POWER” switch is turned off, each display will extinguish as fol-
lows.
● The shift position indicator will extinguish after approximately 2 seconds.
● The odometer, clock, etc. will extinguish after approximately 30 seconds.
(Each display will also extinguish immediately if a door is locked before 30
seconds has elapsed)
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 3 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succession.
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.

250
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
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.
■Hill-start assist control
P. 254
■ PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
P. 256

252 2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
■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 (warning buzzer)
 P. 451
CAUTION
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● Tires with inadequate gripping ability are used (such as excessively worn
tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situ-
ations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■ TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.