2010 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual

145
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Open the anchor bracket cover,
latch the hook onto the anchor
bracket and tighten the top tether
strap.
Make sure the top tether strap is
securely latched.
Outside only: Do the following.
Foldable type
Adjust the head restraint to the
downmost position.
Non-foldable type Install the head restraint.
STEP2
STEP3

146 1-8. Safety information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Laws and regulations pertaining to anchors
The LATCH system conforms to FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2. 
Child restraint systems conforming to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 specifica-
tions can be used.
This vehicle is designed to conform to the SAE J1819.
CAUTION
■ When installing a booster seat
Do not fully extend the shoulder belt to prevent the belt from going to ALR
lock mode: ( P. 87) 
ALR mode causes the belt to tighten only which could cause injury or dis-
comfort to the child.
■ When installing a child restraint system
Follow the directions given in the child restraint system installation manual
and fix the child restraint system securely in place. 
If the child restraint system is not correctly fixed in place, it may result in
death or serious injury to the child or other passengers in the event of sud-
den braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
● If the driver’s seat interferes with the
child restraint system and prevents it
from being attached correctly, attach
the child restraint system to the right-
hand rear seat.
● Adjust the front passenger seat so that
it does not interfere with the child
restraint system.

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1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■
When installing a child restraint system
● When a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the shoulder belt is
positioned across the center of the child’s shoulder. The belt should be
kept away from the child’s neck, but not so that it could fall off the child’s
shoulder. Failing to do so may result in death or serious injury in the event
of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
● Ensure that the belt and tab are securely locked and the seat belt is not
twisted.
● Push and pull the child restraint system from side to side and forward to be
sure it is secure.
● After securing a child restraint system, never adjust the seat.
● Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system
manufacturer.
■ Do not use a seat belt extender
If a seat belt extender is used when installing a child restraint system, the
seat belt will not securely hold the child restraint system, which could cause
death or serious injury to the child or other passengers in the event of sud-
den braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
■ To correctly attach a child r estraint system to the anchors
When using the LATCH anchors, be sure that there are no foreign objects
around the anchors and that the seat belt is not caught behind the child
restraint system. Make sure the child restraint system is securely attached,
or it may cause death or serious injury to the child or other passengers in the
event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or accident.
● Only put a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front seat when unavoid-
able. When installing a forward-facing
child restraint system on the front pas-
senger seat, move the seat as far back
as possible even if “AIR BAG OFF” indi-
cator light is illuminated. Failing to do
so may result in death or serious injury
if the airbags deploy (inflate).

148 1-8. Safety information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.

When driving2
149
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............ 150
Power (ignition) switch ..... 162
EV-Drive Mode................. 168
Transmission.................... 171
Turn signal lever .............. 178
Parking brake ................... 179
Horn ................................. 180
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ......... 181
Indicators and warning 
lights .............................. 185
Multi-information  display............................ 188 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............... 206
Fog light switch ................ 209
Windshield wipers 
and washer .................... 210
Rear window wiper  and washer .................... 212
Headlight 
cleaner switch ................ 213
2-4. Using other driving systems Cruise control ................... 214
Dynamic radar 
cruise control ................. 218
Rear view monitor 
system ........................... 231
LKA (Lane-Keeping 
Assist) ............................ 235
Hill-start assist control ...... 243
Driving assist systems ..... 245
Pre-Collision System........ 249
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage .......... 255
Vehicle load limits ............ 260
Winter driving tips ............ 261
Trailer towing ................... 266
Dinghy towing .................. 267

150
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing.
■ Starting the hybrid system ( P. 164)
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to “D”. 
(  P. 173)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 181)
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. 176)
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in “D”, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 181)
Push the “P” position switch. ( P. 176)
When parking on hill, if necessary, block the wheels.
Turn the “POWER” switch OFF 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

151
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Starting on a steep incline
Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to “D”.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■Driving in the rain
● Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observe:
● For the first 200 miles (300 km): 
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 600 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

152 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P. 558)
■ For efficient use
● Put the shift lever into “D” when driving. 
In the “N” position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be
generated. 
The hybrid battery (traction battery) will be discharged requiring unnec-
essary engine power to recharge.
● Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and
deceleration will make more effective use of the traction motor without
having to use gasoline engine power.
● 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.