2012 TOYOTA PRIUS brakes

318 2-5. Driving information
■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 lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis,
around the tires or on the brakes.
● Remove snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
■ When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you
and the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to
road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and shift the shift position to P and block the
wheel under the vehicle without setting the parking brake. The
parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released.
If necessary, block the wheels to prevent inadvertent sliding or
creeping.

406 4-2. Maintenance
Luggage compartment
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery Check the connections. ( P. 431)
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal
• The accelerator pedal should
move smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching).
Hybrid transmission “Park” mech-
anism • When parked on a slope and the
shift position is in P, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro- priate clearance from the floor?
(P. 568)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play?
(P. 568)
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.

486 5-1. Essential information
Emergency towingIf 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(s).
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.

490 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 eyelets and the cables or chains. Always
be cautious of the surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
● Do not turn the “POWER” switch off.
This may lead to an accident as the front wheels will be locked by the
parking lock.
● 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 eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing. This
may lead to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.

504 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■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.
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a differ-
ent size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load information label], you should determine the
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)

5
When trouble arises
513
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Warning messageDetailsCorrection
procedure
(Flashes
rapidly)
(If equipped) Indicates that there is a high
possibility of a collision, or that
the pre-collision braking func-
tion is operating.
A buzzer also sounds.
At the same time,
will appear on the
head-up display (the image
flashes). Slow the vehicle by
applying the
brakes.
(If equipped) Indicates that there is a high
possibility of a collision.
Slow the vehicle by
applying the
brakes.
(If equipped, flashes) Indicates that your vehicle is
nearing the vehicle ahead (in
radar cruise mode).
A buzzer also sounds.
At the same time,
will appear on the
head-up display (the image
flashes). Slow the vehicle by
applying the
brakes.

5
When trouble arises
521
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Interior
buzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Contin-
uous Contin-
uous
(Displayed alternately)(Flashes) An open door
other than the
driver’s door is
closed while the
electronic key is
outside the
detection range
and the
“POWER”
switch is in
ACCESSORY
or ON mode
with the shift
position not in P.
• Shift the
shift posi-
tion to P.
• Confirm the loca-
tion of the
electronic
key.
Once 
(Comes on for 15 seconds.)
The electronic
key battery is
low. Replace
the bat-
tery.
(
P. 454)
Once 
(Flashes)An open door
has been
closed and the
“POWER”
switch has been
turned twice to
the ACCES-
SORY mode
from OFF. Press the
“POWER”
switch
while
applying
the
brakes.

536 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.
●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 possible after changing wheels.
• When installing a tire, only use wheel nuts that have been specifically designed for that wheel.
• If there are any cracks or deformations in the bolt screws, nut threads or bolt holes of the wheel, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
• When installing the wheel nuts, be sure to install the wheel nuts with the tapered end facing inward. ( P. 452)
■
After using the tools and jack
Before driving, make sure all the tools and jack are securely in place in
their storage location to reduce the po ssibility of personal injury during a
collision or sudden braking.
■When stowing the flat tire
●Make sure the rear seatbacks are in their original position.
●Secure it using a tire tie-down belt. Otherwise, the flat tire may fly out
in case of sudden braking or an a ccident, resulting in death or serious
injury.