3235-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
transmission, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
If the shift control system is damaged by flooding, it may not be possible to
shift the shift position to P, or from P to other positions. When the shift posi-
tion cannot be changed from P to any other position, the front wheels will
lock, and you will be unable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the
ground, as the front wheels may be locked. In this case, transport the vehi-
cle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted.
3265-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch
or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch mounted carriers.
IO51PH002
3495-3. Operating the lights and wipers
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
●The following factors may affect the amount of time taken to turn the high
beam on or off, or the speed by which the areas not illuminated change:
• The brightness of headlights, fog lights, and tail lights of vehicles ahead
• The movement and direction of vehicles ahead
• When a vehicle ahead only has operational lights on one side
• When a vehicle ahead is a two-wheeled vehicle
• The condition of the road (gradient, curve, condition of the road surface
etc.)
• The number of passengers and amount of luggage
●The light distribution control of the headlights may change unexpectedly.
●Bicycles or similar objects may not be detected.
●In the situations shown below, the system may not be able to accurately
detect surrounding brightness levels. This may cause the low beams to
remain on or the high beams to cause problems for pedestrians, vehicles
ahead or other parties. In these cases, manually switch between the high
and low beams.
• In bad weather (rain, snow, fog, sandstorms etc.)
• The windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt etc.
• The windshield is cracked or damaged.
• The camera sensor is deformed or dirty.
• The camera sensor temperature is extremely high.
• Surrounding brightness levels are equal to those of headlights, tail lights
or fog lights.
• Vehicles ahead have headlights that are either switched off, dirty, are
changing color, or have are not aimed properly.
• The vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a preceding vehicle.
• When driving through an area of intermittently changing brightness and
darkness.
• When frequently and repeatedly driving ascending/descending roads, or
roads with rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved
roads, gravel tracks etc.).
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding
road.
• There is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or
a mirror.
• The back of a vehicle ahead is highly reflective, such as a container on a
truck.
• The vehicle’s headlights are damaged or dirty.
• The vehicle is listing or tilting, due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed etc.
• The high beam and low beam are repeatedly being switched between in
an abnormal manner.
• The driver believes that the high beam may be causing problems or dis-
tress to other drivers or pedestrians nearby.
3705-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(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 collision damage or injury in every situation. Do not overly rely on
this system. Failure to do so may lead to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury.
● Although this system is designed to help avoid a collision or help reduce
the impact of the collision, its effectiveness may change according to vari-
ous conditions, therefore the system may not always be able to achieve
the same level of performance.
Read the following conditions carefully. Do not overly rely on this system
and always drive carefully.
• Conditions under which the system may operate even if there is no pos-
sibility of a collision: P. 376
• Conditions under which the system may not operate properly: P. 3 7 8
● Do not attempt to test the operation of the pre-crash safety system your-
self, as the system may not operate properly, possibly leading to an acci-
dent.
■ Pre-crash braking*3
●When the pre-crash braking function is operating, a large amount of brak-
ing force will be applied.
● If the vehicle is stopped by the operation of the pre-crash braking function,
the pre-crash braking function operation will be canceled after approxi-
mately 2 seconds. Depress the brake pedal as necessary.
● The pre-crash braking function may not operate if certain operations are
performed by the driver. If the accelerator pedal is being depressed
strongly or the steering wheel is bei ng turned, the system may determine
that the driver is taking evasive action and possibly prevent the pre-crash
braking function from operating.
● In some situations, while the pre-crash braking function is operating, oper-
ation of the function may be canceled if the accelerator pedal is depressed
strongly or the steering wheel is turned and the system determines that
the driver is taking evasive action.
● If the brake pedal is being depressed, the system may determine that the
driver is taking evasive action and possibly delay the operation timing of
the pre-crash braking function.
*3: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was sold, the pre-crash
braking function may not be available.
3715-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
WARNING
■When to disable the pre-crash safety system
In the following situations, disable the system, as it may not operate prop-
erly, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
● When the vehicle is being towed
● When your vehicle is towing another vehicle
● When transporting the vehicle via truck, boat, train or similar means of
transportation
● When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the hybrid system operating and
the tires are allowed to rotate freely
● When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chassis dyna-
mometer or speedometer tester, or when using an on vehicle wheel bal-
ancer
● When a strong impact is applied to the front bumper or front grille, due to
an accident or other reasons
● If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehi-
cle has been in an accident or is malfunctioning
● When the vehicle is driven in a sporty manner or off-road
● When the tires are not properly inflated
● When the tires are very worn
● When tires of a size other than specified are installed
● When tire chains are installed
● When a compact spare tire or an emergency tire puncture repair kit is used
● If equipment (snow plow, etc.) that may obstruct the radar sensor or cam-
era sensor is temporarily installed to the vehicle
3755-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
Region C
(The pedestrian detection function and pre-crash braking function are not
available)
The pre-crash safety system is enabled and the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle is high.
Each function is operational at the following speeds:
●Pre-crash warning:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 15 and 180 km/h (10 and 110
mph).
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is
approximately 10 km/h (7 mph) or more.
●Pre-crash brake assist:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 30 and 180 km/h (19 and 110
mph).
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is
approximately 30 km/h (19 mph) or more.
The system may not operate in the following situations:
●If a 12-volt battery terminal has been disconnected and reconnected and
then the vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of time
●If the shift lever is in R
●If VSC is disabled (only the pre-crash warning function will be operational)
●If the PCS warning light is flashing or illuminated
■Pedestrian detection function
*4
*4: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was sold, the pedestrian
detection function may not be available.
■Cancelation of the pre-crash braking
*3
If either of the following occur while the pre-crash braking function is operat-
ing, it will be canceled:
●The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly.
●The steering wheel is turned sharply or abruptly.
*3: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was sold, the pre-crash brak-
ing function may not be available. The pre-crash safety system detects
pedestrians based on the size, profile,
and motion of a detected object. However,
a pedestrian may not be detected
depending on the surrounding brightness
and the motion, posture, and angle of the
detected object, preventing the system
from operating properly. (P. 380)
3795-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
• If a vehicle ahead makes an abrupt maneuver (such as sudden swerving,
acceleration or deceleration)
• When suddenly cutting behind a preceding vehicle
• When driving in inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or a
sandstorm
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a vehicle ahead
• When driving through steam or smoke
• When driving in a place where the surrounding brightness changes sud-
denly, such as at the entrance or exit of a tunnel
• When a very bright light, such as the sun or the headlights of oncoming
traffic, shines directly into the camera sensor
• When the surrounding area is dim, such as at dawn or dusk, or while at
night or in a tunnel
• After the hybrid system has started the vehicle has not been driven for a
certain amount of time
• While making a left/right turn and for a few seconds after making a left/
right turn
• While driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving on a curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the camera sensor
• The vehicle is wobbling.
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds.
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or camera sensor is misaligned • When a vehicle ahead is not directly
in front of your vehicle
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or
lowered
3805-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)●In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking force may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If the braking functions cannot operate to their full extent, such as when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If the vehicle is not properly maintained (brakes or tires are excessively
worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven on a gravel road or other slippery sur-
face
●Some pedestrians such as the following may not be detected by the radar
sensor and camera sensor, preventing the system from operating prop-
erly
*4:
• Pedestrians shorter than approximately 1 m (3.2 ft.) or taller than approx-
imately 2 m (6.5 ft.)
• Pedestrians wearing oversized clothing (a rain coat, long skirt, etc.), mak-
ing their silhouette obscure
• Pedestrians who are carrying large baggage, holding an umbrella, etc.,
hiding part of their body
• Pedestrians who are bending forward or squatting
• Pedestrians who are pushing a stroller, wheelchair, bicycle or other vehi-
cle
• Groups of pedestrians which are close together
• Pedestrians who are wearing white and look extremely bright
• Pedestrians in the dark, such as at night or while in a tunnel
• Pedestrians whose clothing appears to be nearly the same color or
brightness as their surroundings
• Pedestrians near walls, fences, guardrails, or large objects
• Pedestrians who are on a metal object (manhole cover, steel plate, etc.)
on the road
• Pedestrians who are walking fast
• Pedestrians who are changing speed abruptly
• Pedestrians running out from behind a vehicle or a large object
• Pedestrians who are extremely close to the side of the vehicle (outside
rear view mirror, etc.)
*4: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was sold, the pedestrian
detection function may not be available.