2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN towing

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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. 5 2 5 )
●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) (lithium-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
To y o t a d e a l e r f o r r e p l a c e m e n t o r d i s p o s a l .
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.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
CAUTION
■To a v o i d o p e r a t i n g t h e c r u i s e c o n t r o l b y m i s ta k e
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
Ve h i c l e s p e e d m a y e x c e e d t h e s e t s p e e d w h e n d r i v i n g d o w n a s t e e p h i l l .
●During emergency towing

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2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
CAUTION
■To a v o i d i n a d v e r t e n t c ruise 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
Ve h i c l e s p e e d m a y e x c e e d t h e s e t s p e e d w h e n d r i v i n g d o w n a s t e e p h i l l .
●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

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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (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 available 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 weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, 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. 3 4 8 )
To y o t a d o e s n o t r e c o m m e n d t o w i n g a t r a i l e r w i t h y o u r v e h i c l e . Yo u r
vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.

348
2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Ve h i cl e l o a d l i m i t s
■To ta l l o a d c a pa c i t y a n d s e a t i n g c a pa c i t y
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label. (→P. 4 8 6 )
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Ve h i c l e l oa d l i m i ts i n c l u d e t o ta l l o a d c a pa c i t y, s e a t i ng c a pa c i t y,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
■To ta l l o a d c a pa c i t y ( v e h i c l e c a pa c i t y w e i g h t ) : →P. 6 1 0
To t a l l o a d c a p a c i t y m e a n s t h e c o m b i n e d w e i g h t o f o c c u p a n t s ,
cargo and luggage.
■Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of occupants
whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■To w i n g c a pa c i t y
To y o t a d o e s n o t r e c o m m e n d t o w i n g a t r a i l e r w i t h y o u r v e h i c l e .
■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)
Tr ailer towing
To y o ta d o e s n o t r e c o m m e n d t o w i n g a trailer with your vehicle.
To y o ta a l s o d o e s n o t r e c o m m e n d t h e i n s ta l l a t i o n o f a t o w h i t c h o r
the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc.
Yo u r v e h i c l e i s n o t d e s i g n e d f o r t railer towing or for the use of tow
hitch mounted carriers.

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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To a v o i d s e r i o u s d a m a g e t o y o u r v e h i c l e
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.
Yo u r v e h i c l e i s n o t d e s i g n e d t o b e d i n g h y t o w e d ( w i t h 4 w h e e l s o n
the ground) behind a motor home.

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3-4. Using the storage features
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Bottle holders
ITO35P121
CAUTION
■Items unsuitable for the bottle holder
Do not place anything other than pet bottles in the bottle holders.
Other items may be thrown out of the holders in the event of sudden braking,
sudden swerving or an accident and cause injury.
NOTICE
■Items that should not be stowed in the bottle holders
Put the cap on before stowing a bottle. Do not place open bottles in the bot-
tle holders, or glasses and paper cups containing liquid. The contents may
spill and glasses may break.
Bottle holders