tow TOYOTA PRIUS V 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
1Before driving
Information on the hybrid system and adjusting and op-
erating features such as door locks, mirrors, and steer-
ing 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
3
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............... 164
Power (ignition) switch ........ 175
EV drive mode .................... 182
Hybrid transmission ............ 185
Turn signal lever ................. 194
Parking brake ...................... 195
Horn .................................... 196
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ............ 197
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 208
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch .................. 213
Fog light switch ................... 221
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 223
Rear window wiper and washer .............................. 228
Headlight cleaner switch ..... 230 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ..................... 231
Dynamic radar cruise control .............................. 235
Driving assist systems ........ 252
Hill-start assist control ........ 256
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ............................ 258
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ............. 266
Vehicle load limits............... 272
Winter driving tips ............... 273
Trailer towing ...................... 277
Dinghy towing ..................... 278
2When driving

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 348
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............. 352
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..................... 355
General maintenance.......... 358
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................... 362
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 363
Hood ................................... 366
Positioning a floor jack ........ 369
Engine compartment ........... 372
12-volt battery ..................... 384
Tires .................................... 389
Tire inflation pressure ......... 398
Wheels ................................ 402
Air conditioning filter............ 405
Electronic key battery.......... 408
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 410
Light bulbs........................... 421 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers............ 436
If your vehicle needs to be towed................................ 437
If you think something is wrong ............................... 443
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds.............................. 444
If you have a flat tire ........... 462
If the hybrid system will not start ............................ 476
If you lose your keys........... 478
If the electronic key does not operate properly ......... 479
If the 12-volt battery is discharged........................ 481
If your vehicle overheats .... 487
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 491
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 493
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

40 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
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. 437)
● 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.

65
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
1
Before driving
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■
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. 479)
● 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

89
1-4. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
Before folding down the seatbacks
Park the vehicle in a safe place.
Apply the parking brake firmly and shift the shift position to P.
(P. 188)
Adjust the position of the front seat and the angle of the seat-
back. (
P. 84)
Depending on the position of the front seat, if the seatback is folded
backward, it may interfere with the operation of the rear seat.
Uncouple and stow the rear center seat belt. (P. 97)
This step is not necessary when operating the driver’s side seat only.
Lower the head restraint of the rear seat. (P. 9 3 )
Vehicles with an armrest: Stow the armrest of the rear seat if it
is pulled out. ( P. 321)
Folding down the seatbacks
Pull the seatback angle adjust-
ment lever.
To return the rear seatbacks to
their original positions, lift them
up until they lock.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

90 1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■Adjusting the position of the driver’s side seat back and forward
■ Seat belt hangers
The driver’s side seat can be slid forward
further than the front passenger’s side
seat, thus easing the loading and unload-
ing of luggage into and from the luggage
compartment.
The seat cannot be locked if it slid for-
ward as far as possible. After operating,
return the seat to a lockable position,
and secure it firmly in place.
Stow the seat belts of the outside seats in
their seat belt hangers when not in use.

92 1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
CAUTION
■After returning the seatback to the upright position
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
● Make sure that the seatback is securely locked in position by lightly push-
ing it back and forth.
● Check that the seat belts are not twisted or caught in the seatback.
● Re-couple the rear center seat belt if it has been uncoupled. ( P. 96)
● If the seat belt has been stowed using the seat belt hanger, check that the
seat belt has been removed from the hanger. ( P. 90)

94 1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■Adjusting the height of the head restraints (front seats)
■ Adjusting the rear cent er seat 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.

98 1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
Stow the buckle B.
■ Adjusting the seat belt shoulde r anchor height (front seats)
Push the seat belt shoulder
anchor down while pressing
the release button.
Push the seat belt shoulder
anchor up.
Move the height adjuster up
and down as needed until you
hear a click.
STEP 4
Buckle B