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2514-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
WARNING
■ Before using dynamic radar cruise control
Do not overly rely on vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Be aware of the set speed. If automatic deceleration/acceleration is not
appropriate, adjust the vehicle speed, as well as the distance between your
vehicle and vehicles ahead by applying the brakes etc.
■ Cautions regarding the driving assist systems
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Assisting the driver to measure following distance
The dynamic radar cruise control is only intended to help the driver in
determining the following distance between the driver’s own vehicle and a
designated vehicle traveling ahead. It is not a mechanism that allows care-
less or inattentive driving, and it is not a system that can assist the driver in
low-visibility conditions. It is still necessary for driver to pay close attention
to the vehicle’s surroundings.
● Assisting the driver to judge proper following distance
The dynamic radar cruise control det ermines whether the following dis-
tance between the driver’s own vehicle and a designated vehicle traveling
ahead is appropriate or not. It is not capable of making any other type of
judgement. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for the driver to remain
vigilant and to determine whether or not there is a possibility of danger in
any given situation.
● Assisting the driver to operate the vehicle
The dynamic radar cruise control has no capability to prevent or avoid a
collision with a vehicle traveling ahead. Therefore, if there is ever any dan-
ger, the driver must take immediate and direct control of the vehicle and
act appropriately in order to ens ure the safety of all involved.
■ To avoid inadvertent cr uise control activation
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
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2524-5. Using the driving support systems
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WARNING
■ 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.
●Except on highways or expressways
● 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 ther e 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
■ When the sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes (or accelerator pedal) as necessary when any of the fol-
lowing types of vehicles are in front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles,
the approach warning ( →P. 246) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious
accident may result.
● Vehicles that cut in suddenly
● Vehicles traveling at low speeds
● Vehicles that are not moving in the same lane
● Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
● Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
● When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the
detecting of the sensor
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2534-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
WARNING
■ Conditions under which the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control may
not function correctly
Apply the brakes (or accelerator pedal) as necessary in the following condi-
tions as the radar sensor may not be able to correctly detect vehicles
ahead, and a fatal or serious accident may result:
●When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly
●When your vehicle is pointing upwards
(caused by a heavy load in the luggage
compartment, etc.)
●When the road curves or when the
lanes are narrow
● When steering wheel operation or your
position in the lane is unstable
Accelerate
Accelerate
Decelerate
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2564-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
Driving assist systems
◆ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)
The electronically controlled system generates braking force corre-
sponding to the brake operation
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal
is depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or
turning on slippery road surfaces
◆TRC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from
spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following
systems operate automatically in response to various driving
situations. Be aware, however, that these systems are supple-
mentary and should not be relied upon too heavily when operat-
ing the vehicle.
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Driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
◆VSC + (Vehicle Stability Control +)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery
road surfaces by controlling steering performance.
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on
an incline or slippery slope
◆PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system) (if equipped)
→P. 2 6 2
◆Emergency brake signal
When the brakes are applied suddenly, the emergency flashers
automatically flash to alert the vehicle behind.
The slip indicator light will flash
while the VSC/TRC/ABS systems
are operating.
When the VSC/TRC/ABS systems are operating
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2624-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system)∗
◆Pre-crash warning
When a high possibility of a
frontal collision is detected, a
buzzer sounds and a message
is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display to urge the driver to
take evasive action.
◆Pre-crash brake assist
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system
applies greater braking force in relation to how strongly the brake
pedal is depressed.
◆Pre-crash braking
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system
warns the driver using a warning display and buzzer. If the system
determines that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes are automati-
cally applied to reduce the collision speed.
∗: If equipped
When the radar sensor detects possibility of a frontal collision,
brakes are automatically engaged to lessen impact as well as
vehicle damage.The alert timing for the pre-crash safety system can be changed or
turned ON/OFF, as necessary, by operating the switch. ( →P. 263)
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Driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)■
Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no possibility of a
collision
In any of the following situations wher e the frontal area of the radar sensor is
interrupted, the radar sensor may detect possibility of a frontal collision and
the system may be activated.
● When passing by an oncoming vehicle in a curve or turn to the right or the
left
● When rapidly approaching an obstacle ahead (e.g. preceding vehicle, toll
gate barrier, etc.)
● When there is a structural object (billboard, low ceiling, fluorescent light,
etc.) above the uphill road ahead
● When driving on a narrow road or th rough under a low overhead structure
(bridge, tunnel, fly-under, etc.)
● When driving on an uneven road surface
● When there is a metal object, bump, or protrusion on the road surface
● When vehicle’s front part is raised or lowered depending on loading condi-
tions
● When the direction of radar sensor is misaligned by strong impact applied
on an area around the radar sensor, etc.
● When there is an obstacle (guard rail, etc.) by the roadside at the entrance
to a curve
● When the front of your vehicle is pointing upwards (cause by putting a heavy
load in the luggage compartment etc.)
● When driving through an area filled with steam or smoke
When the system is activated in the situations described above, there is also
a possibility that the brakes may be applied with a force greater than normal.
■ Obstacles not detected
The sensor cannot detect plastic obstacles such as traffic cones. There may
also be occasions when the sensor cannot detect pedestrians, animals, bicy-
cles, motorcycles, trees, or snowdrifts.
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2694-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
WARNING
■ Limitations of the pre-crash safety system
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
Do not use the pre-crash safety system instead of normal braking opera-
tions under any circumstances. This system will not prevent collisions or
lessen damage or injuries in all cases. Do not overly rely on this system.
Failure to do so may cause an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
This system has been designed to help avoid and reduce the impact of col-
lisions. However, the system operates differently depending on the situation
(→ P. 264, 265).
As a result, the same level of performance may not be expected in all
cases. Also, the pre-crash safety brakes may not operate if the driver is
depressing the brake pedal or turning the steering wheel, as the system will
determine such conditions as collision avoidance operations.
■ Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the pre-crash safety system can function
effectively.
Otherwise, the system may not function correctly and could result in an
accident.
●Keep the sensor and grille cover clean at all times.
Clean the sensor and grille cover with a soft cloth so you do not mark or
damage them.
● Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may not work
normally or malfunction. If the sensor or surrounding area is subject to a
strong impact, always have the area inspected and adjusted by any autho-
rized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional.
● Do not disassemble the sensor.
● Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille cover or sur-
rounding area.
● Do not modify or paint the sensor and grille cover.
● If the sensor needs to be replaced, contact any authorized Toyota dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.