2006 TOYOTA PRIUS power steering

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

7
or
Hybrid vehicle immobilizer / Theft deterrent
system indicator light
Tail light indicator light Shift position indicator light
∗ 4
Driving ready light
Automatic air conditioner indicator light
Recirculate mode indicator light
Smart entry and start system warning light
∗ 5
Windshield air flow indicator light
Slip indicator light
Headlight high beam indicator light
Headlight indicator light Turn signal indicator lights
Cruise control indicator light∗3
Hybrid system warning light∗2
Automatic head light leveling system
warning light∗2
Electric power steering system warning light∗2
Front passenger occupant classification
indicator light
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers indicator light

72
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, dashboard
near the front passenger airbag,
front passenger airbag cover, front
passenger airbag or airbag sensor
assembly. Doing so may prevent the
front airbag system from activating
correctly, cause sudden front air-
bags activation of the system 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.
Consult your Toyota dealer about any
repair and modification.
If you wish to modify your vehicle for
a person with a physical disability,
consult your Toyota dealer. It may
dangerously interfere with the SRS
side airbags and curtain shield air-
bags operation.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
22p010a
This indicator comes on when the “IG
ON” mode is enabled. It goes off after
about 6 seconds. This means the SRS
front airbags are operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, side and curtain shield airbag sen-
sors, curtain shield airbag sensors,
driver ’s seat position sensor, driver ’s seat
belt buckle switch, front passenger occu-
pant classification system and indicator
light, front passenger ’s seat belt buckle
switch, seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
interconnecting wiring and power sources.
(For details, see “Service reminder indica-
tors and warning buzzers” on page 125.)

104
22p058f
To change the steering wheel angle,
hold the steering wheel, push down the
lock release lever, tilt the steering
wheel to the desired angle and push
the lever up to lock the steering wheel
in position.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving. Doing
so may cause the driver to mishan-
dle the vehicle and an accident may
occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.
After adjusting the steering wheel,
try moving it up and down to make
sure it is locked in position.
When you move the steering wheel, an
electrical motor noise may be heard. This
is the power steering motor noise, and is
not a malfunction.
22p059a
Adjust the mirror so that you can just
see the side of your vehicle in the mir-
ror.
Be careful when judging the size or dis-
tance of any object seen in the outside
rear view mirror on the passenger ’s side
because it is a convex mirror. Any object
seen in a convex mirror will look smaller
and farther away than when seen in a flat
mirror.
When you touch the rear window defogger
switch, the heater panels in the outside
rear view mirrors will quickly clear the
mirror surface. (See “Rear window and
outside rear view mirror defoggers” on
page 118.)
Tilt steering wheelOutside rear view mirrors—

135
(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
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 Battery Warning Light
This light comes on in the following
cases.
a. The hybrid 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 battery is discharged.
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,

317
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Break−in period 318
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Fuel 318
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Fuel pump shut −off systemm 320
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Operation in foreign countries 320
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Three −way catalytic converters 321
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Engine exhaust cautions 322
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Facts about engine oil consumption 322
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Coolant heat storage system 324
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Iridium −tipped spark plugs 324
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Brake system 325
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Electric power steering system 329
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 329
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Your Toyota’s identification 330
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Theft prevention labels 331
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Suspension and chassis 331
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Tire information 332
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Vehicle load limits 342
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Cargo and luggage 342
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Types of tires 345
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SECTION 3

326
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
hybrid system is not operating.
Each push on the pedal uses up
your reserved brake fluid pressure.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard, much harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
increase.
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
The antilock brake system is designed
to automatically help prevent lockup of
the wheels during a sudden braking or
braking on slippery road surfaces. This
assists in providing directional stability
and steering performance of the vehicle
under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake
pedal: When the anti −lock brake system
function is in action, the slip indicator in
the instrument cluster flashes and you
will hear a noise. In this situation, to let
the anti −lock brake system work for you,
just hold the brake pedal down more
firmly. Do not pump the brake in a panic
stop. This will result in reduced braking
performance.
The anti −lock brake system becomes op-
erative after the vehicle has accelerated
to a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph). Depressing the brake pedal on slippery
road surfaces such as on a manhole cov-
er, a steel plate at a construction site,
joints in a bridge, etc. on a rainy day
tends to activate the anti
−lock brake sys-
tem.
When the antilock brake system is ac-
tivated, the following condition may oc-
cur. They do not indicate a malfunction
of the system:
You may hear the anti −lock brake sys-
tem operating and the vibrations of the
vehicle body and steering wheel. You
may also hear the motor sound in the
engine compartment even after the ve-
hicle is stopped.

329
The electric power steering system, us-
ing an electric motor, assists the turn-
ing of the steering wheel.
In the following cases, you may feel the
steering becomes heavy. However, the
electric power steering system warning
light does not come on. (Because it is
not a malfunction.)
When maneuvering the steering fre-
quently or keeping the steering wheel
turned fully while the vehicle is stopped
or moving very slowlyThe power steering effect will be re-
duced to prevent the system from over-
heating. Avoid turning the steering
wheel, or stop the vehicle. When you
leave the vehicle in the “IG −ON” mode
for a while, the system will become
cool.
NOTICE
If you repeat the operation which will
turn on the overheating prevention
function, the electric power steering
system may be damaged.
When the 12 volt battery is discharged
Check the 12 volt battery’s condition.
If necessary, recharge or replace the
battery. For details, see “Checking 12
volt battery condition” on page 414.
When the steering wheel is operated
with the hybrid system not to be turned
on (with the “READY” light off)
The 12 volt battery capacity is de-
creased temporarily. The system re-
turns to normal some time after the
hybrid system is turned on.
If there is a problem somewhere in the
electric power steering system, the warn-
ing light comes on in the multi −information
display. For details, see “Multi −information
display” on page 132.
When you move the steering wheel, an
electrical motor noise may be heard. This
is power steering motor noise, and is not
a malfunction.30p003
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.
Electric power steering system Brake pad wear limit
indicators