2004 TOYOTA PRIUS light

123
Hold down the button for at least 5 sec-
onds. The odometer indicates “000000”
and the light goes off.
If the system fails to reset, the light will
remain flashing.
(k) “VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle stability control
system.
The light will come on when the “IG−ON”
mode is enabled and will go off after the
“READY” light comes on.
If the light comes on while driving, the
system does not work. However, as con-
ventional braking operates when applied,
there is no problem to continue your driv-
ing.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the “IG −ON” mode is enabled.
The warning light remains on after the
“READY” light comes on.
The warning light comes on while you
are driving.
CAUTION
If the “VSC” warning light remains on
together with the red brake system
warning light, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact
your Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the vehicle sta-
bility control system will fail but also
the vehicle will become extremely un-
stable during braking.
(l) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key if you open the driver’s door when the
hybrid system is off and the key is in-
serted into the key slot.
(m) Shift Position Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer will sound if the driver ’s door
is opened while the hybrid transaxle is in
“N”, “D” or “B”. CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER INDICA-
TORS (except the low fuel level indica-
tor light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the doors. The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Press the “POWER” switch twice with- out pressing the brake pedal to select
the “IG −ON” mode. At this time, all the
bulbs are checked in self −diagnosis
mode.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light come
on. The yellow brake system, “ABS”
and “VSC” warning lights go off after
a few seconds.
There may be the case that the yellow
brake system, “ABS” and “VSC” warning
lights stay on for about 60 seconds after
the “IG −ON” mode is enabled. It is normal
if they go out after a while.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, have it checked by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.

126
(a) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the auxiliary battery
is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, there
is a problem somewhere in the charging
system.
The hybrid system will continue to oper-
ate, however, until the auxiliary battery is
discharged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to
the nearest Toyota dealer or repair shop.(b) Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it stays on while you are driving, pull
off the road to a safe place and stop the
engine immediately. Call a Toyota dealer
or qualified repair shop for assistance.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(c) High Coolant Temperature Warning Light
The light operates to warn that the hybrid
system is almost over heating.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop
the vehicle and check your hybrid system.
For detailed instructions, see “If your ve-
hicle overheats” on page 242.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
NOTICE
 Do not remove the thermostat in
the cooling system as this may
cause the hybrid system to over-
heat. The thermostat is designed to
control the flow of coolant to keep
the temperature of the hybrid sys-
tem within the specified operating
range.
 Continued driving with the light on
could result in the overheating of
hybrid system.

127
(d) Electric Power Steering SystemWarning Light
This light comes on when the power
steering control system fails.
CAUTION
If this light comes on, take your ve-
hicle to the Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. In this case, you may feel
the heavy steering wheel maneuver-
ing. Drive your vehicle while gripping
the steering wheel firmly.
(e) Hybrid System Warning Light ()
This light comes on if there is a problem
in the electric motor, inverter unit, hybrid
vehicle battery, etc.
If this light is on, stop your vehicle in a
safe place immediately and contact your
Toyota dealer.
Even if the hybrid system warning light
comes on, you can temporarily increase
the vehicle speed by depressing the ac-
celerator pedal. Immediately pull up your
vehicle to a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer. (f) Hybrid Vehicle Battery Warning
Light
This light comes on in the following
cases.
a. The hybrid vehicle battery voltage
drops when the hybrid transaxle is left in
“N” position.
The system works properly if you put the
hybrid transaxle in “P” position and the
light goes off.
b. The hybrid vehicle battery is dis-
charged.
If this light comes on with the “READY”
light on in case of b., stop your vehicle
in a safe place and contact your Toyota
dealer.
(g) Automatic Headlight Leveling Sys- tem Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the automatic headlight
leveling system.
If it comes on, have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer,

130
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Press the “POWER” switch slowly and
surely. Quick operation may not activate
the desired mode.
CAUTION
Do not press the switch while driv-
ing, except in an emergency.
In hot weather, the switch surface
may get hot. Take care not to get
burned.
NOTICE
Observe the following instructions or
the push switch start system may not
work properly.
The switch should be operated with
a clean finger. Do not use an oily
or dirty finger.
 Be careful not to spill water or oth-
er liquid on the switch.
In the following conditions, contact
your Toyota dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
 If the indicator on the switch
flashes in amber, the system may
be malfunctioning. Once you turn
the power off, it may not turn on
again.
 If you find anything unusual in the
switch function, refrain from using
the vehicle.
In the following condition, have your
vehicle inspected by your Toyota deal-
er.
 The indicator light on the “POWER”
switch does not come on when the
clearance lights are turned on.
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Without depressing the brake pedal
Each time you press the “POWER”
switch briefly without the brake pedal
depressed, the hybrid system mode
changes in the order of “OFF”, “ACC”,
“IGON” and then back to “OFF”.
1) “ACC” (Green indicator is turned on)
Accessories such as the radio operate.
Pressing the “POWER” switch briefly with-
out depressing the brake pedal in the
“OFF” mode turns on this mode.
The key can be removed at this position.
The hybrid system is automatically turned
off.
“POWER” switch Push button start—
—without smart function

138
(g) Vehicle driving characteristics
Creeping
In order to hold the vehicle properly on an
incline and for better accelerator pedal
operation at starting, your vehicle is de-
signed like a typical automatic transmis-
sion vehicle which tends to move without
depressing the accelerator pedal with the
transaxle in a position other than “P” or
“N”.
With the transaxle in a position other than
“P” or “N”, depress the brake pedal firmly
even when stopped and apply the parking
brake as required.
When moving in a compact area or during
a traffic jam, it is an effective way to
control the speed using only the brake
pedal operation without depressing the ac-
celerator pedal.
Regenerative brake
When the accelerator pedal is released or
the brake pedal is depressed, the electric
motor acts as a generator and converts
kinetic energy to electric energy to provide
deceleration and recover electric energy to
charge the hybrid vehicle battery.
At this time, the electric motor running
noise may increase.The operation is the same as a typical
gasoline powered vehicle.
You may experience the following condi-
tion while braking. As they do not indicate
a malfunction, perform braking as usual:
In the “OFF” mode, pressing the
“POWER” switch once or twice will se-
lect “ACC” or “IG
−ON” only if the brake
pedal is not depressed. In this condi-
tion, the brake pedal may move a little.
Hybrid driving
This vehicle runs in combination with the
gasoline engine and electric motor.
If the “READY” light is on, you can start
your vehicle even with the gasoline engine
stopped. (h) If the system malfunctions
In the following conditions, there is some
problem in the system.
The indicator on the “P” position switch
flashes. However, this does not indi-
cate a malfunction unless a warning
message appears in the multi
−informa-
tion display.
All frames of shift position indicators in
the instrument cluster flash.
The parking system error message ap-
pears on the multi −information display.
The instrument cluster and multi −infor-
mation display does not come on when
the “IG −ON” mode is enabled.
In these cases, stop your vehicle in a
safe and level place, apply the parking
brake securely and contact your Toyota
dealer immediately.
(i) When the auxiliary battery is dis- connected
Before you disconnect the aux iliary bat-
tery, confirm the shift position is “P” and
apply the parking brake completely.
After you reconnect the auxiliary battery,
shift the shift lever to “N” and confirm the
shift position is in “N” when the “IG −ON”
mode is enabled.

139
The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
systems such as antilock brake sys-
tem, brake assist system, hybrid system
control, etc. This system automatically
controls the brakes and hybrid system
to help prevent the vehicle from skid-
ding when cornering on a slippery road
surface or operating steering wheel
abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle
speed is more than about 15 km/h (9
mph).CAUTION
Do not rely exclusively on the ve-
hicle stability control system. Even
if the vehicle stability control sys-
tem is operating, you must always
drive carefully and attentively to
avoid serious injury. Reckless driv-
ing will result in an unexpected ac-
cident. If the slip indicator light
flashes, sounding an alarm, special
care should be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The
size, manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern for all 4 tires should be the
same. If you use tires other than
specified, or mixed types or size,
the vehicle stability control system
may not function correctly. When
replacing the tires or wheels, con-
tact your Toyota dealer. (See
“Checking and replacing tires” on
page 291.)
25p115
Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driv-
ing, the slip indicator light blinks and an
alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
The slip indicator light blinks in the follow-
ing conditions also.
The vehicle tires are racing. Utmost
care is required when driving.
When the anti−lock brake system is
operating. See “Brake system” on page
209 for details.
Vehicle stability control
system

140
The slip indicator light comes on when the
“IG−ON” mode is enabled and will go off
after the “READY” light comes on. If the
indicator light does not come on when the
ignition is turned on, contact your Toyota
dealer.
25p117
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle stability control
system.
The light will come on when the “IG −ON”
mode is enabled and will go off after the
“READY” light comes on.
If the light comes on while driving, the
system does not work. However, because
the conventional braking still operates, you
can drive your vehicle without damaging
it. Contact your Toyota dealer. In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the “IG
−ON” mode is enabled.
The warning light remains on after the
“READY” light comes on.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.

141
25p008a
Vehicles sold in U.S.A.
25p009a
Vehicles sold in Canada
When parking, firmly apply the parking
brake to avoid inadvertent creeping.
To set: Fully depress the parking brake
pedal. For better holding power, first de-
press the brake pedal and hold it while
setting the parking brake.
To release: Depress the parking brake
pedal while depressing the brake pedal.
To remind you that the parking brake is
set, the parking brake reminder light in
the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake en-
gaged can reduce braking power.
Before driving, be sure the parking
brake is fully released and the park-
ing brake reminder light is off.
Cruise control
The cruise control allows you to cruise
the vehicle at a desired speed over 40
km/h (25 mph) even with your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained up
or down grades within the limits of hybrid
system performance, although a slight
speed change may occur when driving up
or down the grades. On steeper hills, a
greater speed change will occur so it is
better to drive without the cruise control.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control
of your vehicle, do not use the
cruise control when driving in
heavy or varying traffic, or on slip-
pery (rainy, icy or snow
–covered) or
winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases when
driving downhill. If the vehicle
speed is too fast in relation to the
cruise control set speed, cancel the
cruise control then shift the shift
lever to “B” position to use engine
braking to slow down.
Parking brake