2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PHV tow

192 1-9. Safety information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
● The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
● The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises:
Since the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm)
of inflation, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag pro-
vides you with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in.
(250 mm) away now, you can change your driving position in several
ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in.
(250 mm) distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, sim-
ply by reclining the back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of
your seat makes it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non-slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle has that feature\
.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air- bag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still
maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the
instrument panel controls.

194 1-9. Safety information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
● Do not sit on the edge of the seat or
lean against the dashboard.
● Do not allow a child to stand in front of
the SRS front passenger airbag unit or
sit on the knees of a front passenger.
● Do not allow the front seat occupants to
hold items on their knees.
● Do not lean against the door, the roof
side rail or the front, side and rear pil-
lars.
● Do not allow anyone to kneel on the
passenger seat toward the door or put
their head or hands outside the vehicle.

When driving2
223
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............ 224
Power (ignition) switch ..... 238
Hybrid transmission ......... 245
Turn signal lever .............. 254
Parking brake ................... 255
Horn ................................. 256
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ......... 257
Indicators and warning lights .............................. 262
Multi-information display............................ 266
Head-up display ............... 285 2-3.Operating the lights and
windshi

eld wipers
Headlight switch ............... 292
Fog light switch ................ 298
Windshield wipers and washer ........................... 300
Rear window wiper and washer ........................... 304
Headlight cleaner switch ............................. 307
2-4. Using other driving systems Cruise control ................... 308
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................ 312
Driving assist systems ..... 328
Hill-start assist control ...... 333
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .......................... 335
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage .......... 343
Vehicle load limits ............ 348
Winter driving tips ............ 349
Trailer towing ................... 354
Dinghy towing .................. 355

237
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, transmission fluid for the
hybrid system, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
If the P position control system is damaged by flooding, it may not be possi-
ble to shift the shift position to P, or from P to other positions. When the shift
position cannot be changed from P to any other position, the front wheels
will lock, and you will be unable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on
the ground, as the front wheels may be locked. In this case, transport the
vehicle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted.

246 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Shift position indicator
The position of the frame on the shift position indicator changes in
accordance with the current shift position.
When any shift position other than D or B is selected, the arrow toward
B and B position indicator disappear from the shift position indicator.
When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift position has
been changed to the desired position by checking the shift position indica-
tor provided on the instrument cluster.
■ Shift position purpose
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usu-
ally be used.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
BApplying moderate engine braking when driving down hills or on steep slopes

295
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
Turning on the high beam headlights
With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to
turn on the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once.
You can flash the high beams
with the headlights on or off.
■Daytime running light system
● For the U.S.A.: To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the
daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system
is started and the parking brake is released.
Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the switch. (if
equipped)
For Canada: To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the day-
time running lights turn on automatically (at a reduced intensity) whenever
the hybrid system is started and the parking brake is released. Daytime
running lights are not designed for use at night.
● For Canada: Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running
light system offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it
can help improve fuel economy.

309
2-4. Using other
driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■Adjusting the set speed
To change the set speed, operate the lever until the desired set
speed is obtained.
Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Fine adjustment: Momentarily
move the lever in the desired
direction.
Large adjustment: Hold the
lever in the desired direction.
The set speed will be increased or decreased as follows:
Fine adjustment: By approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time
the lever is operated.
Large adjustment: The set speed can be increased or
decreased continually until the lever is released.
■ Canceling and resuming the constant speed control
Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the constant speed
control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Pushing the lever up
resumes the constant
speed control.
Resuming is available when
the vehicle speed is more
than approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h).
ITO24P105
ITO24P106

311
2-4. Using other
driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
■ Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting
in death or serious injury.
● In heavy traffic
● On roads with sharp bends
● On winding roads
● On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
● On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
● During emergency towing