2006 TOYOTA PRIUS parking brake

2
Instrument panel overview
1. Side vents297
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2. Side defroster outlets
3. Instrument cluster 5
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4. Center vents 297
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5. Glove boxes 307
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6. Power door lock switches 40
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7. Power window switches 43
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8. Auxiliary boxes 311
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9. Cup holders 312
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10. AUX adapter 306
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11. Power outlet 305
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12. Tilt steering lock release lever 104 . . . .
13. Hood lock release lever 45
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14. Parking brake pedal 156
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15. Power rear view mirror control switch 105
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16. Window lock switch 44
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11p020

13
Drive your vehicle with a smooth accel-
eration and deceleration.
While driving, energy is recovered
through the regenerative brake as the
vehicle decelerates. However, for more
efficient use, do not accelerate or de-
celerate your vehicle more than neces-
sary.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and decelera-
tion.
The remaining capacity of the hybrid
battery can be confirmed on the energy
monitor screen of the multi−information
display. See “Information” on page 166
for details. Gradual or non −abrupt ac-
celeration or deceleration will more ef-
fectively use the benefits of an electric
motor without having to use gasoline
engine power. When parking, be sure to put the hy-
brid transaxle in “P”. While driving, use
the hybrid transaxle in “D”.
In “N”, the gasoline engine operates
but electricity cannot be generated. The
battery will be discharged requiring un-
necessary engine power to recharge.
The hybrid system automatically re-
charges the hybrid battery when the
remaining battery power is reduced.
However, the charging is not available
if the hybrid transaxle is “N”.
INFORMATION:
The gasoline engine starts and stops
automatically. (It stops during a low
load driving, deceleration or when the
vehicle is stopped.)
If the “READY” light remains on, you
can start your vehicle using the electric
motor even with the gasoline engine
stopped.
The gasoline engine may not stop auto-
matically in the following conditions:

During gasoline engine warmup
 During hybrid battery charging
 During low or high hybrid battery
temperature
For efficient use of your
vehicle

15

As the vehicle runs with both the gaso-
line engine and electric motor, you may
hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment.
When the hybrid system is started or
stopped, you may hear a sound coming
from the hybrid battery in the luggage
compartment. However, this does not
indicate any trouble.
If the “READY” light is on, you can
start even though the gasoline engine
may be off.
When you shift the shift lever to “B”
and release it to its original position
and your foot from the accelerator ped-
al, engine braking will be applied. How-
ever, during high speed driving you
may feel that deceleration by engine
braking is less than that of ordinary
vehicle.
Be sure to put the hybrid transaxle in
“P” when parking.
In “N”, the hybrid battery assembly is not
charged, even if the gasoline engine is
operating. You cannot run your vehicle if
the hybrid transaxle is left in “N” for a
long time because the hybrid battery as-
sembly will be discharged. When you leave your vehicle, apply the
parking brake to put the hybrid trans-
axle in “P” and be sure to carry the
key with you and lock all the doors.
If you leave the hybrid system in “ACC”
or “IG
−ON”, the hybrid system may not
start because the 12 volt battery will be
discharged.
If the vehicle is parked for a long time,
the hybrid battery will discharge gradually.
To keep the hybrid battery in good condi-
tion, drive the vehicle at least once every
several months for at least 30 minutes or
ten miles. If the hybrid battery becomes
fully discharged and the vehicle will not
start even with a jump −start to the 12 volt
battery, contact your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
When you leave your vehicle, be
sure to shut off the hybrid system.
Be sure to put the hybrid transaxle
in “P” because the vehicle can start
with the “READY” light on and the
engine stopped (no engine sound
and vibration). When the “READY”
light is on, if you leave your ve-
hicle in shift position other than
“P” and “N”, the vehicle will creep
and start abruptly with the accelera-
tor pedal being depressed by mis-
take. This may cause death or seri-
ous injury.

17

Do not wet or put foreign objects over
the air vent. Otherwise, the hybrid bat-
tery may be adversely affected and be
damaged.
You may hear a cooling fan noise from
the air vent.
For vehicle repairs or maintenance, be
sure to consult your Toyota dealer.
If your vehicle is beyond repair because
of accident or something, be sure to
consult your Toyota dealer.
As sealed Nickel −Metal hydride batteries
are used, be sure to consult your Toyota
dealer when disposing of your vehicle.
CAUTION
If you are involved in an accident,
follow these precautions.
Move the vehicle to a safe place
and perform the followings to re-
duce the risk of high voltage elec-
tricity leakage.
 Depress the brake pedal and apply
the parking brake.
 Press the “P” position switch and
stop the hybrid system.
 If the key is inserted into key slot,
remove it.
If your vehicle has experienced ma-
jor damage, you may get an electric
shock. To prevent this, never touch
the high voltage parts (hybrid bat-
tery assembly, etc.) or cables
(orange color) connecting these
parts. If some exposed electric
wires are protruding inside or out-
side of the vehicle, an electric
shock may also occur. Never touch
them.
If the fluid leaks or gets in some
part of the vehicle, never touch it
because it may be electrolyte
(strong alkali) from the hybrid bat-
tery. If it gets on your skin or eyes,
wash off immediately with a large
amount of water, if possible, with
boric acid solution, and get immedi-
ate medical attention in order to
help avoid serious injury.
If a vehicle fire occurs, extinguish
it using a fire extinguisher for the
exclusive use on electric fires. As
a small amount of water may be
dangerous, use a large amount of
water, for example from a fire hy-
drant, or wait for a firefighting
team arrival.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
do it with the front wheels or all
four wheels raised. If the front
wheels are on the ground when
towing, the electric motor may con-
tinue to generate electricity which
could leak electricity. A fire could
occur depending on the degree of
damage. See “If your vehicle needs
to be towed” on page 372.

11 0
23p137a
HEADLIGHTS
To turn on the following lights: Twist
the headlight/turn signal lever knob.
Position 1—Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument panel lights
Position 2—Headlights and all of the
above
Position 3 (“AUTO”)—Headlights and/or all
of the lights in position 1
They automatically turn on or off depend-
ing on the darkness of the surroundings.*
Manually twist the knob to the position 2
to turn on the headlights if they are need-
ed immediately when entering a dark tun-
nel, parking structure, etc.NOTE: *The operating condition or sensi-
tivity can be changed. Ask your Toyota
dealer for details.
23p124_1
The automatic light control sensor is on
the top of the driver’s side instrument
panel.
Do not place anything on the instrument
panel, and/or do not affix anything on the
windshield to block this sensor.
Automatic light cut off system
The lights automatically turn off when the
driver ’s door is opened with the hybrid
system off. To turn them on again, press
the “POWER” switch twice from the off
setting to select the “IG
−ON” mode with-
out depressing the brake pedal or actuate
the headlight switch. If you are going to
park for over one week, make sure the
headlight switch is off.
Headlights and turn signals
(with automatic light control system)

111
When the headlight switch is turned to the
first or second clickstop, the brightness of
the instrument cluster will be reduced
slightly unless the instrument panel light
control dial is turned fully on.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the switch on
longer than necessary when the hy-
brid system is not running.
Daytime running light system
The headlights turn on at reduced intensi-
ty when the parking brake is released with
the hybrid system started, even with the
light switch in the “OFF” position.
To turn on the other exterior lights and
instrument panel lights, twist the knob to
the position 1.
To turn off the daytime running light sys-
tem, twist the knob to the position 2 or
position 3 with the headlights on or turn
the hybrid system off.
23p109b
HighLow beams—For high beams, turn
the headlights on and push the lever away
from you (position 1). Pull the lever to-
ward you (position 2) for low beams.
The headlight high beam indicator light
(blue light) on the instrument panel will
tell you that the high beams are on.
Flashing the high beam headlights
(position 3)—Pull the lever all the way
back. The high beam headlights turn off
when you release the lever.
You can flash the high beam headlights
even with the knob turned to “OFF”.
23p110b
TURN SIGNALS
To signal a turn, push the headlight/
turn signal lever up or down to position
1.
The hybrid system must be in the “IG −
ON” mode.
The lever automatically returns after you
make a turn, but you may have to return
it by hand after you change lanes.
To signal a lane change, move the lever
up or down to the pressure point (position
2) and hold it.

11 2
If the turn signal indicator lights (green
lights) on the instrument panel flash faster
than normal, a front or rear turn signal
bulb is burned out. See “Replacing light
bulbs—” on page 418.
23p001e
HEADLIGHTS
To turn on the following lights: Twist
the headlight/turn signal lever knob.
Position 1—Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument panel lights
Position 2—Headlights and all of the
aboveAutomatic light cut off system
The lights automatically turn off when the
driver ’s door is opened with the hybrid
system off. To turn them on again, press
the “POWER” switch twice from the off
setting to select the “IG
−ON” mode with-
out depressing the brake pedal or actuate
the headlight switch. If you are going to
park for over one week, make sure the
headlight switch is off.
When the headlight switch is turned to the
first or second clickstop, the brightness of
the instrument cluster will be reduced
slightly unless the instrument panel light
control dial is turned fully on.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the lights on
longer than necessary when the hy-
brid system is not running.
Headlights and turn signals
(without automatic light control system)

125
If the indicator or buzzer comes on...Do this.
(a)
or
(red indicator and buzzer)If parking brake is off, stop immediately and contact Toyota dealer.
(yellow indicator)
Take vehicle to Toyota dealer. If red brake system warning light is also on, stop imme-
diately and contact Toyota dealer.
(b)
(indicator and buzzer)
Fasten driver ’s seat belt.
(c)
(indicator and buzzer)
Fasten front passenger ’s seat belt.
(d)orTake vehicle to Toyota dealer.
(e)See multi −information display.
(f)orTake vehicle to Toyota dealer. If red brake system warning light is also on, stop imme-
diately and contact Toyota dealer.
If any warning comes on, the hybrid system may not start by pu shing the “POWER” switch. In that case, push it once again.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers