2013 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN Park

333
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
2
When driving
Hill-start assist control
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
●The system operates in the following situations:
•The shift position is in a position other than P.
•The parking brake is not applied.
•The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●Hill-start assist control cannot be operated while the slip indicator light is
illuminated.
■Hill-start assist control
●While hill-start assist control is operating, the brakes remain automati-
cally applied after the driver releases the brake pedal. The stop lights and
the high mounted stoplight turn on.
●Hill-start assist control operates for about 2 seconds after the brake pedal
is released.
●If the slip indicator does not flash and the buzzer does not sound when
the brake pedal is further depressed, slightly reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal (do not allow the vehicle to roll backward) and then firmly
depress it again. If the system still does not operate, check if the operat-
ing conditions explained above have been met.
Hill-start assist control helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards when starting on an incline or slippery slope.
To e n g a g e h i l l - s t a r t a s s i s t c o n -
trol, further depress the brake
pedal when the vehicle is
stopped completely.
A buzzer will sound once to
indicate the system is acti-
vated. The slip indicator will
also start flashing.

334
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
■Hill-start assist control buzzer
●When hill-start assist control is activated, the buzzer will sound once.
●In the following situations, hill-start assist control will be canceled and the
buzzer will sound twice.
•No attempt is made to drive the vehicle within approximately 2 seconds
of releasing the brake pedal.
•Push the P position switch.
•The parking brake is applied.
•The brake pedal is depressed again.
•The brake pedal has been depressed for more than approximately 3
minutes.
■If the slip indicator light comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■Hill-start assist control
●Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control
may not operate effectively on extremely steep inclines or roads covered
in ice.
●Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline for an extended
period of time, as doing so may lead to an accident.

350
2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
●To e n s u r e p r o p e r o p e r a t i o n o f t he climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have
accumulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis,
around the tires or on the brakes.
●Remove snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
■When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you
and the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to
road conditions.
■When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and shift the shift position to P and block the
wheel under the vehicle without setting the parking brake. The
parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released.
If necessary, block the wheels to prevent inadvertent sliding or
creeping.

430
4-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
NOTICE
■Cleaning detergents
●Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehi-
cle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces:
•Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasoline,
alkaline or acidic solutions, dye, and bleach
•Seats: Alkaline or acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, and alcohol
●Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
■Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces:
●Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.
●Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
●Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Ve h i c l e s y s t e m s s uc h a s t h e a u d i o s y s t e m m a y b e d a m a g e d i f w a t e r c om e s
into contact with electrical components such as the audio system above or
under the floor of the vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.
■Cleaning the inside of the rear window
●Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause
damage to the rear window defogger heater wires. Use a cloth dampened
with lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in
strokes running parallel to the heater wires.
●Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires.

435
4-2. Maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
4
Maintenance and care
Luggage compartment
Ve h i c l e i n t e r i o r
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery Check the connections. (→P. 4 7 1 )
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal
•The accelerator pedal should
move smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching).
Hybrid transmission “Park” mech-
anism
•When parked on a slope and the
shift position is in P, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Brake pedal
•Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
•Does the brake pedal have appro-
priate clearance from the floor?
(→P. 6 1 9 )
•Does the brake pedal have the
correct amount of free play?
(→P. 6 1 9 )
Brakes
•The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
•The brakes should work effec-
tively.
•The brake pedal should not feel
spongy.
•The brake pedal should not get
too close to the floor when the
brakes are applied.

436
4-2. Maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
Head restraints•Do the head restraints move
smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers•Do the indicators and buzzers
function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
•Does the parking brake pedal
move smoothly?
•When parked on a slope and the
parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Seat belts
• Do the seat belts operate
smoothly?
•The seat belts should not be dam-
aged.
Seats•Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel
•Does the steering wheel rotate
smoothly?
•Does the steering wheel have the
correct amount of free play?
•There should not be any strange
sounds coming from the steering
wheel.
ItemsCheck points

437
4-2. Maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
4
Maintenance and care
Ve h i c l e e x t e r i o r
Charging equipment
ItemsCheck points
Doors • Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood•Does the engine hood lock sys-
tem work properly?
Fluid leaks
•There should not be any signs of
fluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.
Tires
•Is the tire inflation pressure cor-
rect?
•The tires should not be dam-
aged or excessively worn.
•Have the tires been rotated
according to the maintenance
schedule?
•The wheel nuts should not be
loose.
ItemsCheck points
Charging cable
•Check that the electrical leakage
detection function operates prop-
erly. (→P. 1 0 3 )
CAUTION
■If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation
before performing maintenance checks.

441
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
●Make sure that the indicator on the “POWER” switch and the “READY”
indicator are both off.
●Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust
manifold, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids
may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes
are flammable.
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the “POWER” switch is off.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. (→P. 4 6 6 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.