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3995-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
WARNING
■To avoid inadvertent dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed
range activation
Switch the dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range off using the
“ON-OFF” button when not in use.
■ Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed
range
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range 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.
● Roads where there are pedestrians, cyclers, etc.
● 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 freeways and highways
● When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sen-
sors from detecting correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
● When there is rain, snow, etc. on the front surface of the radar sensor or
camera sensor
● In traffic conditions that require frequent repeated acceleration and decel-
eration
● When your vehicle is during emergency towing
● When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
Page 401 of 744

4015-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-
vehicle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance button.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed
appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically
decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is
necessary, the system applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at
this time). The system will respond to changes in the speed of the vehicle
ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver.
Approach warning warns you when the system cannot decelerate suffi-
ciently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your vehicle will also stop (vehicle is
stopped by system control). After the vehicle ahead starts off, pushing the
cruise control lever up or depressing the accelerator pedal will resume fol-
low-up cruising.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower
than the set speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then
returns to constant speed cruising.
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2
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Page 406 of 744
4065-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
When your vehicle is too close to
a vehicle ahead, and sufficient
automatic deceleration via the
cruise control is not possible, the
display will flash and the buzzer
will sound to alert the driver. An
example of this would be if
another driver cuts in front of you
while you are following a vehicle.
Depress the brake pedal to
ensure an appropriate vehicle-to-
vehicle distance.
■Warnings may not occur when
In the following instances, warnings may not occur even when the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance is small.
●When the speed of the preceding vehicle matches or exceeds
your vehicle speed
●When the preceding vehicle is traveling at an extremely slow
speed
●Immediately after the cruise control speed was set
●When depressing the accelerator pedal
Approach warning (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode)
Page 409 of 744

4095-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
■Automatic cancelation of constant speed control mode
Constant speed control mode is automatically canceled in the following situa-
tions:
●Actual vehicle speed is more than approximately 16 km/h (10 mph) below
the set vehicle speed.
●Actual vehicle speed falls below approximately 40 km/h (25 mph).
●VSC is activated.
●TRC is activated for a period of time.
●When the VSC or TRC system is turned off by pressing the VSC OFF
switch.
●Pre-crash braking is activated.
If constant speed control mode is automatically canceled for any other rea-
son, there may be a malfunction in the system. Contact any authorized
Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Warning messages and buzzers for dynamic radar cruise control with
full-speed range
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or
to inform the driver of the need for caution while driving. If a warning message
is shown on the multi-information display, read the message and follow the
instructions.
Page 410 of 744
4105-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)■When the sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
In the case of the following and depending on the conditions, operate the
brake pedal when deceleration of the system is insufficient or operate the
accelerator pedal when acceleration is required.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles, the
approach warning (P. 406) will not be activated.
●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
●When your vehicle is pointing upwards
(caused by a heavy load in the luggage
compartment, etc.)
●Preceding vehicle has an extremely high
ground clearance
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4165-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
■ Automatic speed limiter cancellation
The set speed is automatically canceled in any of the situations:
● Cruise control is activated.
● When the VSC system and/or TRC system is turned off by pressing the
VSC OFF switch.
■ If the “Check Speed Limiter System” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
Stop in a safe location, turn the power switch off and back on again, and then
set the speed limiter. If the speed limiter cannot be set, the system may be
malfunctioning. Even though the vehicle can be driven normally, have the
vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
WARNING
■ To avoid operating the speed limiter by mistake
Keep the speed limiter switch off when not in use.
■ Situations unsuitable for speed limiter
Do not use the speed limiter in either of the following situations.
Doing so may result in control of the vehicle being lost and could cause a
serious or fatal accident.
● On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
● On steep hills
NOTICE
When a warning is issued using the meter display and buzzer after exceed-
ing the set speed limit on a steep decline, depress the brake pedal to decel-
erate.
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4225-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
WARNING
■Handling the radar sensor
● Keep the sensor and its surrounding area on the bumper clean at all times.
● Do not subject a sensor or its surrounding area on the rear bumper to a
strong impact.
If a sensor is moved even slightly off position, the system may malfunction
and vehicles may not be detected correctly.
In the following situations, have your vehicle inspected by any authorized
Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional.
• A sensor or its surrounding area is subject to a strong impact.
• If the surrounding area of a sensor is scratched or dented, or part of
them has become disconnected.
● Do not disassemble the sensor.
● Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor or surrounding area on
the bumper.
● Do not modify the sensor or surrounding area on the bumper.
● Do not paint the rear bumper any color other than an official Toyota color.
One Blind Spot Monitor sensor is
installed inside the left and right side of
the vehicle rear bumper respectively.
Observe the following to ensure the Blind
Spot Monitor can function correctly.
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4245-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
■The Blind Spot Monitor function is operational when
● The BSM system is set to on (P. 242)
● Vehicle speed is greater than approximately 16 km/h (10 mph)
■ The Blind Spot Monitor function will detect a vehicle when
● A vehicle in an adjacent lane overtakes your vehicle.
● Another vehicle enters the detection area when it changes lanes.
■ Conditions under which the Blind Spot Monitor function will not detect a
vehicle
The Blind Spot Monitor function is not designed to detect the following types
of vehicles and/or objects:
● Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.*
●Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction
● Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles and similar stationary objects*
●Following vehicles that are in the same lane*
●Vehicles driving 2 lanes across from your vehicle*
*: Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
WARNING
■ Cautions regarding the use of the system
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
The Blind Spot Monitor function is a supplementary function which alerts the
driver that a vehicle is present in the blind spot. Do not overly rely on the
Blind Spot Monitor function. The functi on cannot judge if it is safe to change
lanes, therefore over reliance could cause an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
According to conditions, the system may not function correctly. Therefore
the driver’s own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.