towing TOYOTA PRIUS V 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

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PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............... 162
Power (ignition) switch ........ 173
EV drive mode .................... 180
Hybrid transmission ............ 183
Turn signal lever ................. 192
Parking brake ...................... 193
Horn .................................... 194
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ............ 195
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 206
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch .................. 211
Fog light switch ................... 219
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 221
Rear window wiper and washer .............................. 226
Headlight cleaner switch ..... 228 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ..................... 229
Dynamic radar cruise control .............................. 233
Driving assist systems ........ 250
Hill-start assist control ........ 254
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ............................ 256
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ............. 264
Vehicle load limits............... 270
Winter driving tips ............... 271
Trailer towing ...................... 275
Dinghy towing ..................... 276
2When driving

38 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
CAUTION
■Road accident cautions
If your vehicle is involved in an accident, observe the following precautions
to reduce the risk of death or serious injury:
● Stop the vehicle in a safe place to prevent subsequent accidents.
While depressing the brake pedal, apply the parking brake and shift the
shift position to P to stop the hybrid system. Then, slowly release the
brake pedal.
● Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
● If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric
shock may occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
● If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch the fluid as it may be strong alkaline
electrolyte from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact
with your skin or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water
or, if possible, boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
● If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even
a small amount of water may be dangerous.
● 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 an electricity leakage leading to a fire. ( P. 435)
● 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)
Your vehicle contains a sealed nicke l-metal hydride battery. If disposed of
improperly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe
burns and electrical shock that may result in death or serious injury.

When driving2
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PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............ 162
Power (ignition) switch ..... 173
EV drive mode ................. 180
Hybrid transmission ......... 183
Turn signal lever .............. 192
Parking brake ................... 193
Horn ................................. 194
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ......... 195
Indicators and warning lights .............................. 206 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............... 211
Fog light switch ................ 219
Windshield wipers and washer ........................... 221
Rear window wiper and washer ........................... 226
Headlight cleaner switch ............................. 228
2-4. Using other driving systems Cruise control ................... 229
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................ 233
Driving assist systems ..... 250
Hill-start assist control ...... 254
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .......................... 256
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage .......... 264
Vehicle load limits ............ 270
Winter driving tips ............ 271
Trailer towing ................... 275
Dinghy towing .................. 276

232 2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
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

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2-4. Using other
driving systems
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
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When driving
CAUTION
■To avoid inadvertent cruise control activation
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
■ Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an acci-
dent 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 and snow
● On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up
and down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
● At entrances to expressways
● When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sen-
sors from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
● When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
● During emergency towing

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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
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When driving
Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capa city) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the av ailable amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400  750 (5150)
= 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That wei ght may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trai ler, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Co nsult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. ( P. 270)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your
vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.

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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label. (P. 396)
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the ti res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 915 lb. (415 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants,
cargo and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the ma ximum number of occupants
whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■ Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the
weight and the number of occupants.

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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
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When driving
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or
the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc.
Your vehicle is not designed for trai ler towing or for the use of tow
hitch mounted carriers.

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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.

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3-4. Using the
storage features
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
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Interior features
Bottle holders
Front doors
Rear doors
■ When using the bottle holder
● When storing a bottle, close the cap.
● The bottle may not be stored depending on its size or shape.
NOTICE
■Items that should not be stowed in the bottle holders
Put the cap on before stowing a bottle. Do not place open bottles in the bot-
tle holders, or glasses and paper cups containing liquid. The contents may
spill and glasses may break.
Bottle holders