2008 TOYOTA PRIUS tow

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering 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
instructions for Canadian owners.
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

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5
6
7
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PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Headlight switch (Type B) ............................ 153
Fog light switch ................... 156
Windshield wipers and washer (Type A) ............... 158
Windshield wipers and washer (Type B) ............... 160
Rear window wiper and washer (Type A) ............... 162
Rear window wiper and washer (Type B) ............... 163
2-4. Using other driving systems ........................... 164
Cruise control ...................... 164
Rear view monitor system... 167
Driving assist systems ........ 170
2-5. Driving information ........... 173 Cargo and luggage ............. 173
Vehicle load limits ............... 176
Winter driving tips ............... 177
Trailer towing ...................... 181
Dinghy towing ..................... 182
3-1. Using the touch screen .... 186 Touch screen ...................... 186
Setting the touch screen (Vehicles with AUX
adapter) ............................ 191
Setting the touch screen (Vehicles without AUX
adapter) ............................ 196 3-2. Using the air conditioning
system and
defogger .......................... 201
Automatic air conditioning system (Vehicles with AUX
adapter) ............................ 201
Automatic air conditioning system (Vehicles without
AUX adapter) ................... 208
Using the steering wheel climate remote control
switches ........................... 215
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ......................... 217
3-3. Using the audio system ... 219 Audio system type (Vehicle with AUX adapter) ............ 219
Audio system type (Vehicle without AUX adapter) ....... 222
Using the radio (vehicle with AUX adapter) ............ 225
Using the radio (Vehicle without AUX adapter) ....... 234
Using the CD player (Vehicle with AUX
adapter) ............................ 239
Using the CD player (Vehicle without AUX
adapter) ............................ 247
Playing MP3 and WMA discs ................................. 254
Optimal use of the audio (Vehicle with AUX
adapter) ............................ 262
Optimal use of the audio system (Vehicle without
AUX adapter) ................... 266
3Interior features

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PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
5-1. Essential information ....... 416If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................ 416
If you think something is wrong ................................ 423
Event data recorder ............ 424
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency ....................... 426
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................... 426
If you have a flat tire............ 438
If the hybrid system will not start ................................... 448
If you lose your keys ........... 449
If the electronic key does not operate properly................ 450
If the vehicle 12 volt battery is discharged..................... 451
If your vehicle overheats ..... 456
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 459 6-1. Specifications ................... 462
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ......................... 462
Fuel information.................. 472
Tire information .................. 475
6-2. Customization................... 488 Customizable features........ 488
6-3. Initialization....................... 491 Items to initialize ................. 491
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners...................... 494
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 495
Abbreviation list ............... 498
Alphabetical index............ 500
What to do if...................... 506
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

33
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.
● Pull your vehicle off the road, put the shift lever in “P”, apply the parking
brake, turn the hybrid system off.
● 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 it 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 pos-
sible, 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 the rear wheels raised. If the
wheels with 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. 416)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery air vent
● Do not put foreign objects over the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat and be damaged.
● Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
● Do not wet the air vent. It may cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid
battery (traction battery).
● Do not load a large amount of water such as an aquarium into the vehicle.
If water spills over the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may be
damaged.

42 1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors and back door
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■Operation signals
A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that the doors
have been locked/unlocked. (Locked: Once; Unlocked: Twice)
■ Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations,
the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be
affected, preventing the smart key system and wireless remote control from
operating properly. (Way of coping: P. 450)
● 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 has come into contact with, or is covered by a
metallic object
● When multiple electronic keys are in the vicinity
● When carrying or using the electronic key together with the following
devices that emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key
• A wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computer
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to
the rear window

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1
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Rear seats
Folding down rear seatbacks■ Before folding down rear seatbacks
Stow the rear center seat belt
buckle.
Seatback angle adjustment
button
Press the button down until the
lock is completely released.

62
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Head restraints
■Adjusting the height of the head restraints
■ Adjusting the center rear seat head restraint
Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position when
using.
■ Vertical adjustment
Vertical adjustment
Push and hold the lock release
button when lowering the head
restraint.
Removal
Grip head restraint and remove
while holding the lock release
button.
Lock
release
button
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.

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1-4. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■Seat belt pretensioners
● Do not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger’s seat.
Doing so will disperse the passenger’s weight, which prevents the sensor
from detecting the passenger’s weight properly. As a result, the seat belt
pretensioner for the front passenger’s seat may not activate in the event of
a collision.
● If the pretensioner has activated, the seat belt becomes locked: it cannot
be further extended, nor will it return to the stowed position. The seat belt
cannot be used again and must be replaced at your Toyota dealer.
■ Using a seat belt extender
● Do not wear the seat belt extender, if you can fasten the seat belt without
the extender.
● Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system,
because the belt will not securely hold the child restraint system, increas-
ing the risk of death or injury in the event of a collision.
● The personalized extender may not be safe on another vehicle, when
used by another person, or at a different seating position other than the
one originally intended.
NOTICE
■When using a seat belt extender
When releasing the seat belt, press on the buckle release button on the
extender, not on the seat belt.
This helps prevent damage to the vehicle interior and the extender itself.