2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PHV towing

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PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
1-9. Safety informationCorrect driving posture........ 182
SRS airbags ........................ 184
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 198
Child restraint systems........ 204
Installing child restraints...... 209
2-1. Driving procedures Driving 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
windshield 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
2When driving

50 1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with front wheels raised. If the
wheels connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground
when towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may
cause a fire. ( P. 525)
● Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery) (lit hium-ion battery) replacement and
disposal
Do not replace, dispose of, modify, or reuse the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) and do not use it for anything other than its intended use. Contact your
Toyota dealer for replacement or disposal.
If the hybrid battery (traction battery) is replaced, disposed of, modify or
reused in an improper way, or if the hybrid battery (traction battery) is used in
a way it is not intended for, there is a risk of severe burns and electrical
shock that may result in death or serious injury.
Also, improper handling of the hybrid battery (traction battery) can lead to
environmental hazards.

When driving2
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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

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2-4. Using other
driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
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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

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2-4. Using other
driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
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When driving
CAUTION
■To avoid inadvertent cruise control activation
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
■ Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an acci-
dent 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 downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up
and down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
● At entrances to expressways
● When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sen-
sors from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
● When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
● During emergency towing

344 2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Capacity and distributionCargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capa city) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the av ailable amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400  750 (5150)
= 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That wei ght may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trai ler, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. ( P. 348)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your
vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.

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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label. (P. 486)
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the ti res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 610
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants,
cargo and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the ma ximum number of occupants
whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■ Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the
weight and the number of occupants.

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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or
the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc.
Your vehicle is not designed for tr ailer towing or for the use of tow
hitch mounted carriers.