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65
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
1
Before driving
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■
Conditions aff ecting operation
The smart key system, wireless remote control and immobilizer system use
weak radio waves. In the following situations, the communication between
the electronic key and the vehicle may be affected, preventing the smart key
system, wireless remote control and immobilizer system from operating
properly. (Ways of coping: P. 479)
● When the electronic key battery is depleted
● Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electri-
cal noise
● When carrying a portable radio, ce llular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication devices
● When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following
metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
● When other wireless key (that emit radio waves) is being used nearby
● When carrying the electronic key together with the following devices that
emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio
waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to
the rear window
Page 128 of 568

128 1-8. Safety information
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■SRS airbag deployment conditions (SRS front airbags)
● The SRS front airbags will deploy in the event of an impact that exceeds
the set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to an approxi-
mately 12 - 18 mph [20 - 30 km/h] frontal collision with a fixed wall that
does not move or deform).
However, this threshold velocity will be considerably higher if the vehicle
strikes an object, such as a parked vehicle and sign pole, which can move
or deform on impact, or if the vehicle is involved in an underride collision
(e.g. a collision in which the front of the vehicle “underrides”, or goes
under, the bed of a truck, etc.).
● Depending on the type of collision, it is possible that only the seat belt
pretensioners will activate.
● The SRS front airbags for the front passenger will not activate if there is
no passenger sitting in the front passenger seat. However, the SRS front
airbags for the front passenger may deploy if luggage is put in the seat,
even if the seat is unoccupied. ( P. 138)
■ SRS airbag deployment conditions (S RS side and curtain shield air-
bags)
● The SRS side and curtain shield airbags will deploy in the event of an
impact that exceeds the set threshold level (the level of force corre-
sponding to the impact force produced by an approximately 3300 lb.
[1500 kg] vehicle colliding with the vehicle cabin from a direction perpen-
dicular to the vehicle orientation at an approximate speed of 12 - 18 mph
[20 - 30 km/h]).
● The SRS curtain shield airbags may also deploy in the event of a severe
frontal collision.
Page 129 of 568
129
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■
Conditions under which the SRS airbags may deploy (inflate), other
than a collision
The SRS front airbags may also deploy if a serious impact occurs to the
underside of your vehicle. Some examples are shown in the illustration.
■ Types of collisions that may not de ploy the SRS airbags (SRS front air-
bags)
The SRS front airbags do not generally inflate if the vehicle is involved in a
side or rear collision, if it rolls over, or if it is involved in a low-speed frontal
collision. But, whenever a collision of any type causes sufficient forward
deceleration of the vehicle, deployment of the SRS front airbags may occur.
● Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or
hard surface
● Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
● Landing hard or falling
●Collision from the side
● Collision from the rear
● Vehicle rollover
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130 1-8. Safety information
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■Types of collisions that m ay not deploy the SRS airbags
(SRS side and curtain shield airbags)
The SRS side and curtain shield airbags may not activate if the vehicle is
subjected to a collision from the side at certain angles, or a collision to the
side of the vehicle body other than the passenger compartment.
The SRS side and curtain shield airbags do not generally inflate if the vehi-
cle is involved in a frontal or rear collision, if it rolls over, or if it is involved in
a low-speed side collision.
● Collision from the side to the vehicle
body other than the passenger com-
partment
● Collision from the side at an angle
●Collision from the front*
●Collision from the rear
● Vehicle rollover
*: Depending on the conditions and type
of accident, the curtain shield airbags
may deploy (inflate) upon frontal
impact.
Page 138 of 568
138
1-8. Safety information
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
Front passenger occupant classification system
Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classifica-
tion system. This system detects the conditions of the front passen-
ger seat and activates or deactiv ates the devices for the front
passenger.
SRS warning light
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light
“AIR BAG ON” indicator light
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139
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant
classification system
■ Adult
*1
■Child*3 or child restraint system*4
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator lights “AIR BAG
ON”
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Flashing
*2
DevicesFront passenger airbag
Activated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag in the front passen- ger side
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator lights “AIR BAG
OFF”
*5
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Flashing
*2
DevicesFront passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Activated
Curtain shield airbag in the front passen-
ger side
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner
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187
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
2
When driving
■
Selecting a driving mode
The following modes can be selected to suit driving conditions:
Eco drive mode
The torque generated in response to accelerator pedal depres-
sion will lessen compared to nor mal, and air conditioning opera-
tion (heating/coo ling) will be restrained, thus suiting driving with
improved fuel efficiency.
When the “ECO MODE” switch is pressed, the “ECO MODE” indicator
comes on.
Power mode
Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable,
such as when driving in mountainous regions or when overtak-
ing.
When the power mode switch is pressed, the power mode indicator
comes on.
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189
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
2
When driving
■
Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency. ( P. 187) To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ For the shift positions
● When the “POWER” switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.
● When the “POWER” switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not oper-
ating), the shift position can only be changed to N. The shift position will
be changed to N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and held in that
position.
● When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be changed
from P to D, N or R.
● When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cannot be
changed from P to another position even if the shift lever is operated.
Wait until the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing to a solid light,
and then operate the shift lever again.
● The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.
In addition, if an attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the
shift lever in any of the following situations, the buzzer will sound and the
shifting operation will be disabled or the shift position will automatically
change to N. When this happens, select an appropriate shift position.
● Situations where the shifting operation will be disabled:
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another
position by moving the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P or N to B by moving the shift lever.