2008 TOYOTA PRIUS parking brake

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
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 .................................... 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
2-1. Driving procedures........... 120 Driving the vehicle .............. 120
Power (ignition) switch........ 130
Transmission ...................... 136
Turn signal lever (Type A) ............................ 140
Turn signal lever (Type B) ............................ 141
Parking brake ..................... 142
2-2. Instrument cluster ............ 143 Gauges and meters ............ 143
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 146
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers .......... 150
Headlight switch (Type A) ............................ 150
1Before driving
2When driving

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PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Pictorial indexInstrument panel
Headlight switch
Turn signal lever
Fog light switch

P. 150
P. 140
P. 156
Gauges and meters P. 143
Windshield wipers and
washer switch
P. 158
“P” position switch P. 137
Auxiliary box P. 327
Hood lever P. 361
Parking brake pedal P. 142
Power outlet P. 332
Smart entry and start systemcancel switch
 P. 41
Tire pressure warning reset switch P. 380
Tilt steering control lever P. 70
Shift lever P. 136

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.

When driving2
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PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
2-1. Driving procedures ........ 120Driving the vehicle............ 120
Power (ignition) switch ..... 130
Transmission.................... 136
Turn signal lever (Type A) ......................... 140
Turn signal lever (Type B) ......................... 141
Parking brake ................... 142
2-2. Instrument cluster.......... 143 Gauges and meters ......... 143
Indicators and warning lights .............................. 146 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers ........ 150
Headlight switch (Type A) ......................... 150
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

120
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
Starting on a steep inclineFirmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to “D”.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing.
■ Starting the hybrid system ( P. 131)
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to “D”. ( P. 136)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 142)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in “D”, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, push
the “P” position switch. (
P. 137)
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in “D”, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 142)
Push the “P” position switch. ( P. 137)
When parking on hill, if necessary, block the wheels.
Press the “POWER” switch and stop the hybrid system.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key
on your person.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

124 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
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.

126 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
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.

127
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident
or fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked
in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. Braking distance
increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of the vehicle
to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may not
securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the hybrid system stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your reserved brake fluid pressure.
● The brake system consists of 3 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.