2012 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual

57
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
■
Air conditioning on/off
Switch the air conditioning ( ) to off when it is not needed.
Doing so can help control excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: In high temperatures, use the recirculated air mode.
Doing so will help to reduce t he burden on the air conditioner
and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasoline engine will not automatically cut
out until the gasoline engine and the interior of the vehicle are
warm, it will consume fuel. Also, fuel consumption can be
improved by avoiding overuse of the heater.
■ Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently.
Improper tire inflation pressure can cause poor fuel consump-
tion.
Also, as snow tires can cause lar ge amounts of friction, their use
on dry roads can lead to poor fuel consumption. Use a tire that is
appropriate for the season.
■ Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage can lead to poor fuel consumption.
Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack
can also cause poor fuel consumption.
■ Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically
when cold, warming up the engine is unnecessary. Moreover,
frequently driving s hort distances will ca use the engine to
repeatedly warm up, which can lead to poor fuel consumption.

58
1-2. Key information
Keys
Using the mechanical keyTo take out the mechanical key,
push the release button and take
the key out.
After using the mechanical key,
store it in the electronic key. Carry
the mechanical key together with
the electronic key. If the electronic
key battery is depleted or the
entry function does not operate
properly, you will need the
mechanical key. (P. 541)
The following keys are provid ed with the vehicle.
Electronic keys
• Operating the smart key
system ( P. 61, 79)
• Operating the wireless remote control function
( P. 85)
• Operating the Remote Air Conditioning System
*
(  P. 342)
Mechanical keys
Key number plate
*: If equipped

59
1-2. Key information
1
Before driving
■
Key number plate
Keep the plate in a safe place such as your wallet, not in the vehicle. In the
event that a mechanical key is lost, a new key can be made at your Toyota
dealer using the key number plate. ( P. 540)
■ When riding in an aircraft
When bringing an electronic key onto an aircraft, make sure you do not
press any buttons on the electronic key while inside the aircraft cabin. If you
are carrying an electronic key in your bag etc., ensure that the buttons are
not likely to be pressed accidentally. Pressing a button may cause the elec-
tronic key to emit radio waves that could interfere with the operation of the
aircraft.

60 1-2. Key information
NOTICE
■To prevent key damage
Observe the following:
●Do not drop the keys, subject them to strong shocks or bend them.
● Do not expose the keys to high temperatures for long periods of time.
● Do not get the keys wet or wash them in an ultrasonic washer etc.
● Do not attach metallic or magnetic materials to the keys or place the keys
close to such materials.
● Do not disassemble the keys.
● Do not attach a sticker or anything else to the surface of the electronic key.
● Do not place the keys near objects that produce magnetic fields, such as
TVs, audio systems and glass top ranges, or medical electrical equipment,
such as low-frequency therapy equipment.
■ Carrying the electronic key on your person
Carry the electronic key 3.9 in. (10 cm) or more away from electric appli-
ances that are turned on. Radio waves emitted from electric appliances
within 3.9 in. (10 cm) of the electronic key may interfere with the key, causing
the key to not function properly.
■ In case of a smart key system malf unction or other key-related prob-
lems
Take your vehicle with all the electronic keys provided with your vehicle to
your Toyota dealer.
■ When a vehicle key is lost
If the key remains lost, the risk of vehicle theft increases significantly. Visit
your Toyota dealer immediately with all remaining electronic keys that was
provided with your vehicle.

61
1
Before driving
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Smart key system (with entr y function)
The following operations can be performed simply by carrying the
electronic key on your person, for example in your pocket.
(The driver should always carry the electronic key.)
Unlocks and locks the side doors ( P. 6 2 )
Unlocks and locks the back door ( P. 63)
Starts and stops the hybrid system ( P. 192)

62 1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Unlocking and locking the doorsFront door handles (including front passenger door handle if
equipped with entry function) Grip the driver’s door handle to
unlock the door. Grip the passen-
ger’s door handle to unlock all
the doors.
*
Make sure to touch the sensor on
the back of the handle.
The doors cannot be unlocked for
3 seconds after the doors are
locked.
*: The door unlock settings can bechanged. ( P. 70)
Touch the lock sensor (the
indentation on the upper part of
the door handle) to lock the
doors.

63
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
1
Before driving
Back door (vehicles with entry function of front and back doors)
Press the unlock button to
unlock all the doors.
The doors cannot be unlocked for
3 seconds after the doors are
locked.
Press the lock button to lock all
the doors.

64 1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Antenna location and effective range
■ Antenna location
Vehicles with entry function of driver’s door Antennas outside cabin
Antennas inside cabin
Vehicles with entry function of front and back doors Antennas outside the cabin
Antennas inside the cabin
Antenna outside the luggage
compartment