2008 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual

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Installation of a mobile two-way radio systemAs the installation of a mobile two- way radio system in your vehicle
could affect electronic systems such as the multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel injection system, cruise control sys-
tem, anti-lock brake system, vehicle stability control system, SRS air-
bag system and seat belt pretensioner system and Toyota hybrid
system, be sure to check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary
measures or special instructions regarding installation.
High voltage parts and cables on th e hybrid vehicles emit approxi-
mately the same amount of elec tromagnetic waves as the conven-
tional gasoline powered vehicles or home electronic appliances
despite of their electromagnetic shielding.
Unwanted noise may occur in the reception of the mobile two-way
radio.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pret ensioner devices in your Toyota
contain explosive chemic als. If the vehicle is scrapped with the air-
bags and seat belt pretensioners left as they are, this may cause an
accident such as fire. Be sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag
and seat belt pretensioner removed and disposed of by a qualified
service shop or by your Toyota dealer before you scrap your vehicle.
Perchlorate Material
Special handling may apply,
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazar douswaste/perchlorate.
Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These
components may include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wire-
less remote control batteries.

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CAUTION
■General precautions while driving
Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influ-
ence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehi-
cle. Alcohol and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and
reduce coordination, which could lead to an accident that will hurt or kill you,
your occupants or others.
Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other
drivers or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.
Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that dis-
tracts the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or
reading can result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you,
your occupants or others.
■ When children are in the vehicle
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to
have or use the key.
When left unattended, children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the
vehicle into neutral. There is also a danger that children may injure them-
selves by playing with the cigarette lighter, the windows, the moon roof, or
other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat build-up or extremely cold
temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.
■ Dispose of the hybrid battery (traction battery)
If your vehicle is disposed of without the hybrid battery having been
removed, there is a danger of serious electric shock if high voltage parts,
cables and their connectors are touched. In the event of that your vehicle
must be disposed of, the hybrid battery must be disposed of your Toyota
dealer or a qualified service shop. If the hybrid battery is not disposed of
properly, they may cause electric shock that can result in death or serious
injury.

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Symbols used throughout this manual
Cautions & Notices
Symbols used in illustrations
CAUTION
This is a warning against anything which may cause injury to people if the
warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must or must not do in
order to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others.
NOTICE
This is a warning against anything which may cause damage to the vehicle or
its equipment if the warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must
or must not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of damage to your Toyota
and its equipment.
Safety symbol
The symbol of a circle with a slash through it means “Do not”,
“Do not do this”, or “Do not let this happen”.Arrows indicating operationsIndicates the action (pushing, turn-
ing, etc.) used to operate switches
and other devices.
Indicates the outcome of an opera-
tion (e.g. a lid opens).

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Before driving1
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1-1. Hybrid system .................. 22Hybrid system .................... 22
1-2. Key information................ 34 Keys ................................... 34
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors and
back door........................ 36
Smart key system .............. 36
Wireless remote control ..... 49
Doors ................................. 51
Back door ........................... 54
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering
wheel).............................. 57
Front seats ......................... 57
Rear seats.......................... 59
Head restraints................... 62
Seat belts ........................... 64
Steering wheel ................... 70
Anti- glare inside rear view mirror ............................... 71
Outside rear view mirrors ... 73 1-5. Opening and closing the
windows and
moon roof ....................... 75
Power windows .................. 75
1-6. Refueling........................... 78 Opening the fuel tank cap .. 78
1-7. Theft deterrent system .... 81 Immobilizer system ............ 81
Alarm (if equipped)............. 84
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.) ............................ 86
1-8. Safety information ........... 87 Correct driving posture....... 87
SRS airbags ....................... 89
Front passenger occupant classification system ...... 101
Child restraint systems..... 107
Installing child restraints... 110

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1-1. Hybrid system
Hybrid system
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from
conventional vehicles. Be sure you are closely familiar with the char-
acteristics of your vehicle, and operate with care.
The hybrid system combines a gasoline engine and an electric
motor (traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving
fuel efficiency and reducing exhaust emissions.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (Traction motor)

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1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
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■
Regenerative braking
The motor generator converts kinetic energy to electric energy when:
● The accelerator pedal is released.
● The brake pedal is depressed with the shift lever in “D” or “B”.
■ Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop
automatically in the following conditions:
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is being charged.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) temperature is low or high.
■ When stopped/during take-off
The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped. During
take-off, the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehicle. At
slow speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine
is stopped and the motor is used.
■ During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor
(traction motor) charges the hybr id battery (traction battery) as
necessary.
■ When accelerating sharply
The power of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is added via
electric motor (traction motor) to that of the gasoline engine.
■ When braking (Regenerative brake)
The electric motor (traction mo tor) charges the hybrid battery
(traction battery).

24 1-1. Hybrid system
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■Charging the battery
● As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the
battery does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if
the vehicle is left parked for a long time the hybrid battery will slowly dis-
charge. For this reason, be sure to drive the vehicle at least once every
several months for at least 30 minutes or 10 miles (16 km). If the hybrid
battery becomes fully discharged and you are unable to jump-start the
vehicle with the 12 volt battery, contact your Toyota dealer.
● If the shift lever is in “N”, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. When driving in heavy traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift
lever in “D” to avoid discharging the battery.
■ After the 12 volt battery has di scharged or has been changed or
removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Toyota
dealer.