2008 TOYOTA PRIUS CHECK

113
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
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While pushing the child seat into
the rear seat, allow the shoulder
belt to retract until the child seat
is securely in place.
After the shoulder belt has
retracted to a point where there is
no slack in the belt, pull the belt to
check that it cannot be extended.
■
Booster seat
Place the booster seat on the
seat facing the front of the vehi-
cle.
Sit the booster in the child seat.
Fit the seat belt to the booster
seat according to the manufac-
turer’s instructions and insert the
plate into the buckle. Make sure
that the belt is not twisted.
Check that the shoulder belt is
correctly positioned over the
child’s shoulder, and that the lap
belt is as low as possible.
( P. 64)
STEP4
STEP1
STEP2

122 2-1. Driving procedures
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●Avoid repeated acceleration
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving
with the accelerator pedal slightly released.
● Push the “P” position switch when parking
In the “N” position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge.
Leaving the shift lever in the “N” position for an extended period of the
time may discharge the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot run if the
hybrid battery is discharged.
■ Normal characteristics after turning off the hybrid system
Approximately five hours after the hybrid system is turned off, you may hear
sound coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is because
the fuel evaporation leakage check is performed. It does not indicate a mal-
function.

123
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
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CAUTION
■
When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid sys-
tem running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator
pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● The driver should pay attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is pow-
ered only by the electric motor (traction motor). Because there is no hybrid
system sounds, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or st op the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. this may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving
position, or roll forward while the shift lever is in “R”.
Doing so may cause the hybrid system not to operate or lead to poor
brake and steering performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the
vehicle.
● If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the back door is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehi-
cle can cause driver drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a
serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.

124 2-1. Driving procedures
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CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to “R”, “N” or push the
“P” position switch while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission and may result
in a loss of vehicle control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake not to operate properly and lead to
an accident.
● Do not turn the hybrid system off while driving.
The power steering and brake actuator will not operate properly if the
hybrid system is not running.
● Use engine braking (“B”) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 136)
● When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.

125
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
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CAUTION
■
When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
● Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by
upshifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not race the hybrid system.
If the vehicle is in any gear other t han “P” or “N” the vehicle may acceler-
ate suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the hybrid system is running
to prevent an accident caused by the vehicle moving.

126 2-1. Driving procedures
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CAUTION
■When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Failure to do so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
● Always apply the parking brake, push the “P” position switch, stop the
hybrid system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the hybrid system is running.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the hybrid system is running or imme-
diately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
● Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build up, or
where it is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the
hybrid system is operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi-
cle. this may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
■ Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the hybrid system. In a
closed area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the
vehicle. This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
cause by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure
to have the vehicle inspected and repa ired by your Toyota dealer. Failure
to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in death or
a serious health hazard.

128 2-1. Driving procedures
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NOTICE
■While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always push the “P” position switch. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle
to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is
accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have your Toyota dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as pos-
sible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Front brake only: Moderate levels of the brake pad and disc wear allow
enhanced front braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly
than conventional brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads,
Toyota recommends that you also have the thickness of the discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or that of the brake discs are exceeded.

129
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
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NOTICE
■
If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 441)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, transmission fluid for the
hybrid system, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.