Page 263 of 588

2634-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)■
Sounds and vibrations caused by th e ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC and
hill-start assist control systems
Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are oper-
ating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
● Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
● A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
● The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
● The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■ ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the following cases, but it does not
indicate that a malfunction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from engine compartment when the brake pedal is
operated.
● Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or two min-
utes passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain
from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system
off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automati-
cally re-enabled in the following situations:
● When the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or the “POWER” switch is turned off (vehicles with a
smart key system)
● If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle
speed increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases
Page 271 of 588

2714-7. Driving tips
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the park-
ing brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being
released. If necessary, block the wheels to prev ent inadvertent sliding
or creeping.
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. Chain
size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
(0.12 in. [3.0 mm] in diameter)
Cross chain
(0.16 in. [4.0 mm] in diameter)
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Al ways check local regulations before installing
chains.
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions wh en installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the
rear tires.
●Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains
after driving 1/4 1/2 mile (0.5 1.0 km).
●Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
1
2
Regulations on the use of tire chains
Page 370 of 588
370
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Adjusting the temperature setting
To adjust the temperature setting, turn clockwise to increase
the temperature and turn count erclockwise to decrease the
temperature.
Automatic air conditioning system
Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted according
to the temperature setting.
Air conditioning controls
Page 377 of 588

3776-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)■
Air conditioning filter
P. 442
■ Customization
The air conditioning control of Eco drive mode can be changed to the same
setting as that used in normal drive mode.
(Customizable features P. 551)
WARNING
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
●Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather.
The difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-
ing your vision.
■ When the outside rear view mirror defoggers are on (if equipped)
Do not touch the outside surface of the rear view mirrors, as they can
become very hot and burn you.
NOTICE
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
hybrid system is off.
●Do not place anything on the instrument
panel which may cover the air outlets.
Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,
preventing the windshield defoggers
from defogging.
Page 381 of 588

3816-2. Using the interior lights
6
Interior features
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
■Illuminated entry system
Vehicles without a smart key system
When the interior lights switch is in the door position, the interior lights auto-
matically turn on/off according to the engine switch position, whether the
doors are locked/unlocked, and whether the doors are open/closed.
Vehicles with a smart key system
When the interior lights switch is in the door position, the interior lights auto-
matically turn on/off according to “POWER” switch mode, the presence of the
electronic key, whether the doors are locked/unlocked, and whether the doors
are open/closed.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Vehicles without a smart key system
If the interior lights, personal lights or luggage compartment light remain on
when the engine switch is “LOCK” position, the lights will go off automatically
after 20 minutes.
Vehicles with a smart key system
If the interior lights, personal lights or luggage compartment light remain on
when the “POWER” switch is off, the lights will go off automatically after 20
minutes.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. the time elapsed before lights turn off) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 550)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.
Page 383 of 588
3836-3. Using the storage features
6
Interior features
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Pull up the lever to open the glove
box.
Lift the lid while pulling up the
knob to release the lock.
Remove the lid at the bottom of
the console box.
Small items can be stored in this
space.
■When using the console box lid as an armrest
Glove box
Console box (if equipped)
The lid can be slid forward or backwards.
Page 396 of 588

396
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
7-1. Maintenance and care
●Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
● Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly
with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the wate rproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors before washing the vehi cle. Start washing from the front of
the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors before driving.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle's paint.
● In certain automatic car washes, the rear spoiler may interfere with machine
operation. This may prevent the vehicle from being cleaned properly or
result in damage to the rear spoiler.
■ High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of
the windows.
● Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is
closed properly.
■ When using a car wash (veh icles with a smart key system)
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the ef\
fective
range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the fol-
lowing correction procedures to wash the vehicle:
● Place the electronic key in a location 6 ft. (2 m) or more away from the vehi-
cle. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
● Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart key sys-
tem. ( P. 139)
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in
prime condition:
Page 406 of 588

4067-2. Maintenance
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side whenthe brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints
(Adjustable type)• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Hybrid transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the parkingbrake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake lever operate nor-mally?
• 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 damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.
ItemsCheck points