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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Daytime running light system
●To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving,
the daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system
is started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch off or in
the / position (Illuminate dimmer than the headlights). Daytime run-
ning lights are not designed for use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the
headlight switch.
●Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.
■Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after a door is opened and closed if the power switch is turned to
ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The lights turn off immediately if on
the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and the driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light
switch off once and then back to or .
■Automatic headlight leveling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the
headlights do not interfere with other road users. The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the
windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.
Air conditioning operation may also be
interrupted.
218
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the cruise control.
The speed setting is also canceled
when the brakes are applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes
the cruise control and returns
vehicle speed to the set speed.
Resuming is available when the
vehicle speed is more than approx-
imately 25 mph (40 km/h).
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles
up to approximately 400 ft. (120 m) ahead, determines the current
vehicle-to-vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain a suit-
able following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long
downhill slopes.
Canceling and resuming the speed control
1
2
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
224
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
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 there 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. 219) 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
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
2254-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
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
253
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
◆Pre-collision warning
When a high possibility of a frontal
collision is detected, a buzzer
sounds and a message is shown
on the multi-information display to
urge the driver to take evasive
action.
◆Pre-collision 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-collision 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 automatically 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-collision system can be changed or
turned ON/OFF, as necessary, by operating the switch. (P. 254)
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
2554-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
The radar sensor detects vehi-
cles or other obstacles on or near
the road ahead and determines
whether a collision is imminent
based on the position, speed, and
heading of the obstacles.
■The pre-collision system is operational when
The pre-collision system is on (P. 254) and the following conditions are met:
●Pre-collision warning:
• Vehicle speed is greater than about 10 mph (15 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehi-
cle running ahead of you is greater than about 7 mph (10 km/h).
●Pre-collision brake assist:
• The VSC is not turned off.
• Vehicle speed is greater than about 19 mph (30 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehi-
cle running ahead of you is greater than about 19 mph (30 km/h).
• The brake pedal is depressed.
●Pre-collision braking:
• The VSC is not turned off.
• Vehicle speed is greater than about 10 mph (15 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehi-
cle running ahead of you is greater than about 7 mph (10 km/h).
Radar sensor
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no possibility of a
collision
If the following obstructs the front of the sensor, the system judges that a col-
lision may be possible and operates.
●When passing by a vehicle while making left or right turns or passing a vehi-
cle in an opposite lane.
●When the vehicle rapidly approaches an object in front of it (such as another
vehicle, toll gate, etc.)
●When climbing a steep hill, etc., and there are structures in the upper region
of the road (billboards, low ceilings, street lamps, etc.)
●When driving through narrow passages or places with low ceilings (bridges,
tunnels, overhead passes, etc.)
●When driving on an uneven road surface
●When metal objects are on the road surface causing level differences or
protrusions in the road
●When an extreme change in vehicle height occurs
●When the radar sensor moves off position due to its surrounding area being
subjected to a strong impact.
●When there is an obstacle (guardrails, etc.) on the roadside at a curve
entrance
●When the front of your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by putting a
heavy load in the luggage compartment)
When the system is activated in the situations described above, there is also
a possibility that the brakes will 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.
■Situations in which the pre-collision system does not function properly
The system may not function effectively in situations such as the following:
●On roads with sharp bends or uneven surfaces
●If a vehicle suddenly moves in front of your vehicle, such as at an intersec-
tion
●If a vehicle suddenly cuts in front of your vehicle, such as when overtaking
●In inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or sand storms
●When your vehicle is skidding with the VSC system off
●When an extreme change in vehicle height occurs
●When the radar sensor moves off position due to its surrounding area being
subjected to a strong impact
●Due to greatly turning the steering wheel when an obstacle suddenly
appears ahead
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
WARNING
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
It is the driver’s responsibility to drive safely. The driver should be aware of
the surroundings and strive for safe driving.
Do not rely on the pre-collision system instead of normal braking opera-
tions. This system does not avoid or reduce collisions in every situation.
Overly relying on the system and entrusting it with safety may cause an
unexpected accident which could lead to death or serious injury.
Although the system is designed for the purpose to support in avoiding colli-
sions or reducing the damage of a collision, the effect changes according to
various conditions. (P. 255)
Therefore, it does not always provide the same performance. Also, the pre-
collision braking does not work depending on the operating conditions of the
driver. When the driver has stepped on the brake pedal and is operating the
steering wheel, the system judges that the driver is taking avoiding action
and the automatic braking may not operate.
■Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the pre-collision system can function effec-
tively.
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 become
inaccurate or malfunction. If the sensor or surrounding area is subject to a
strong impact, always have the area inspected and adjusted by your
Toyota dealer.
●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 your Toyota dealer.