2012 TOYOTA PRIUS C brakes

229
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspec t the condition of the 12-volt
battery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have
accumulated on the exterior li ghts, vehicle's roof, chassis,
around the tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes
before getting in the vehicle.

352 4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery Check the connections. ( P. 375)
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should
move smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching).
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro- priate clearance from the floor?
(P. 497)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play?
(P. 497)
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effec- tively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the
brakes are applied.
Head restraints
(Adjustable type) • Do the head restraints move
smoothly and lock securely?
Hybrid transmission “Park” mech-
anism • When parked on a slope and the
parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers
function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?

5
When trouble arises
425
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your hybrid transmission.
Contact your Toyota dealer before towing.
● The hybrid system is operating but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available in
an emergency, your vehicle may
be temporarily towed using a
cable or chain secured to the
emergency towing eyelet. This
should only be attempted on
hard surfaced roads for short
distances at under 18 mph (30
km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to
steer and operate the brakes.
The vehicle’s wheels, drive train,
axles, steering and brakes must
be in good condition.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.

5
When trouble arises
429
5-1. Essential information
CAUTION
■
Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelet and the cables or chains. Always
be cautious of the surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
● Do not turn the engine switch off (vehicles without a smart key system) or
the “POWER” switch off (vehicles with a smart key system).
This may lead to accidents because the steering wheel will be locked and
you will not be able to operate the steering wheel.
● If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will
not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■ Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelet is installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelet may come loose during towing. This
may lead to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission when towing
using a wheel-lift type truck
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent body damage when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission in emergency
towing
Never tow a vehicle from the rear with four wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to the transmission.

438 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■When the electric power steerin g system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold
firmly and operate using more force than usual.
■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is pr obable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with th e spare tire and have the flat tire
repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning syste m may not activate immediately.

5
When trouble arises
467
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Replacing a flat tire
●Do not touch the disc wheels or the area around the brakes immedi-
ately after the vehicle has been driven.
After the vehicle has been driven the disc wheels and the area around
the brakes will be extremely hot.
Touching these areas with hands, feet
or other body parts while changing a tire, etc. may result in burns.
●Do not attach a heavily damaged wheel ornament, as it may fly off the
wheel while the ve hicle is moving.
●Failure to follow these precautions could cause the wheel nuts to
loosen and the tire to fall off, resulting in death or serious injury.
• Have the wheel nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 76 ft•lbf (103
N•m, 10.5 kgf•m) as soon as po ssible after changing wheels.
• When installing a tire, only use wheel nuts that have been specifi- cally designed for that wheel.
• If there are any cracks or deformations in the bolt screws, nut threads or bolt holes of the wh eel, have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer.
• When installing the wheel nuts, be sure to install them with the
tapered ends facing inward. ( P. 393)

5
When trouble arises
487
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■
If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
● Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the
brake pedal harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn.
Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the hybrid system.
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Never attempt to remove the key, as
doing so will lock the steering wheel.
Vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem: To stop the hybrid sys-
tem, press and hold the
“POWER” switch for 3 consec-
utive seconds or more, or
press it briefly 3 times or more
in succession.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.STEP4
Press and hold for 3 seconds or more,
or press briefly 3 times or more
STEP5

497
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
Brakes
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 66 lbf (294 N, 30
kgf) while the engine is running.
*2: Parking brake lever travel when pulled up with a force of 45 lbf (200 N, 20kgf).
Steering
Pedal clearance*12.8 in. (70 mm) Min.
Pedal free play 0.04  0.24 in. (1.0  6.0 mm)
Brake pad wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Brake lining wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake lever travel*28  11 clicks
Fluid typeSAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
Free playLess than 1.2 in. (30 mm)