2002 TOYOTA PRIUS suspension

47
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes can in-
terfere with proper operation of the
front seat belt pretensioners in some
cases.
Installation of electronic devices
such as a mobile twoway radio,
cassette tape player or compact
disc player
 Repairs on or near the front seat
belt retractor assemblies
 Modification of the suspension sys-
tem
 Modification of the front end struc-
ture
 Attachment of a grille guard (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow,
winches or any other equipment to
the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front
fenders, front end structure or con-
sole
22p010
This front seat belt pretensioner system
has a service reminder indicator to inform
the driver of operating problems. If either
of the following conditions occurs, this in-
dicates a malfunction of the airbags or
pretensioners. Contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible to service the ve-
hicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ACC” or
“ON” position, or remains on.
The light comes on or flashes while
driving.
If either front seat belt does not retract
or can not be pulled out due to a
malfunction or activation of the relevant
front seat pretensioner.
22p012
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible:
The front seat belt pretensioner assem-
bly or surrounding area has been dam-
aged.
The front part of the vehicle (shaded
in the illustration) was involved in an
accident that was not severe enough to
cause the front seat belt pretensioners
to operate.
Either front seat belt pretensioner as-
sembly or surrounding area is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise dam-
aged.

54
Do not modify or remove any wir-
ing. Do not modify, remove, strike
or open any components, such as
the steering wheel pad, steering
wheel, column cover, front passen-
ger airbag cover, front passenger
airbag or airbag sensor assembly.
Doing any of these may cause sud-
den SRS front airbag inflation or
disable the system, which could re-
sult in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious injury.NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes can in-
terfere with proper operation of the
SRS front airbag system in some
cases.
 Installation of electronic devices
such as a mobile twoway radio,
cassette tape player or compact
disc player
 Modification of the suspension sys-
tem
 Modification of the front end struc-
ture
 Attachment of a grille guard (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow,
winches or any other equipment to
the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front
fenders, front end structure, con-
sole, steering column, steering
wheel or dashboard near the front
passenger airbag
22p010
This SRS front airbag system has a ser-
vice reminder indicator to inform the driver
of operating problems. If either of the fol-
lowing conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction of the airbags. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to ser-
vice the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ACC” or
“ON” position, or the light remains on.
The light comes on while driving.

59
22p029c
Do not attach a cup holder or any
other device or object on or around
the door. When the side airbag in-
flates, the cup holder or any other
device or object will be thrown with
great force or the side airbag may
not activate correctly, resulting in
death or serious injury. Likewise,
the driver and front passenger
should not hold objects in their
arms or on their knees.
Do not use accessories for the
seats which cover the parts where
the side airbags inflate. Such acces-
sories may prevent the side airbags
from activating correctly, causing
death or serious injury.
Do not modify or replace the seats
or upholstery of front seats with
the side airbags. Such changes may
disable the system or cause the
side airbags to inflate accidentally,
resulting in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious injury.
Consult your Toyota dealer about any
repairs and modifications.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the
SRS side airbag system in some
cases.
 Installation of electronic devices
such as a mobile twoway radio,
cassette tape player or compact
disc player
 Modification of the suspension sys-
tem
 Modification of the side structure of
the passenger compartment
 Repairs made on or near the con-
sole or front seat

145
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Break−in period 146
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Fuel 146
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Fuel pump shut −off systemm 148
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Operation in foreign countries 148
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Three −way catalytic converter Toyota HC adsorber and catalyst
system 149
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Engine exhaust cautions 150
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Facts about engine oil consumption 151
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Iridium −tipped spark plugs 152
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Brake system 152
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 156
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Luggage stowage precautions 156
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Your Toyota’s identification 157
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Theft prevention labels 158
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Suspension and chassis 158
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Ty p e of tire s 158
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SECTION 3

158
Theft prevention labels
Your new vehicle carries theft preven-
tion labels which are approximately 56
mm (2.20 in.) by 16 mm (0.63 in.).
The purpose of these labels is to reduce
the incidence of vehicle thefts by facilitat-
ing the tracing and recovery of parts from
stolen vehicles. The label is designed so
that once it is applied to a surface, any
attempt to remove it will result in destroy-
ing the integrity of the label. Transferring
these labels intact from one part to anoth-
er, will be impossible.
NOTICE
You should not attempt to remove the
theft prevention labels as it may vio-
late certain state or federal laws.
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension/chassis
with lift kits, spacers, springs, etc. It
can cause dangerous handling charac-
teristics, resulting in loss of control.
Types of tires
Determine what kind of tires your ve-
hicle is originally equipped with.1. All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide
better traction in snow and to be adequate
for driving in most winter conditions, as
well as for use all year round.
All season tires, however, do not have
adequate traction performance compared
with snow tires in heavy or loose snow.
Also, all season tires fall short in accel-
eration and handling performance
compared with summer tires in highway
driving. 2. Summer tires
Summer tires are high −speed capability
tires best suited to highway driving under
dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tires, sum-
mer tires are inadequate for driving on
snow −covered or icy roads. For driving on
snow −covered or icy roads, we recom-
mend using snow tires. If installing snow
tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
Suspension and chassis

197
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the
engine turned off and the vehicle parked
on a level spot. See page 208 in Section
8−2 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have
the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See “Engine exhaust cautions” on
page 150 in Section 3.) Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip
−offs that
indicate service is needed. Some impor-
tant clues are as follows:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A fluid leak under the vehicle (however,
water dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked im-
mediately.)
Flat −looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving
straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension
movement
Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake pedal; pedal almost
touches floor; vehicle pulls to one side
when braking
Coolant temperature continually higher
than normal If you notice any of these clues, take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the ve-
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-
rious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
Does your vehicle need
repairing?