2017 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME electric power steering

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
992-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
◆Air conditioning
●Turn the “A/C” switch (
*1 • *2) off when it is
not needed. Doing so can help r educe excessive electricity and
fuel consumption.
In summer: When the ambient temperature is high, use the recir-
culated air mode. Doing so will he lp to reduce the burden on the
air conditioning system and reduc e electricity and fuel consump-
tion as well.
In winter: Avoid excessive and unn ecessary use of the heater.
Usage of the heated steering wheel (if equipped) and seat heat-
ers is effective. ( →P. 513)
● Using the Remote Air Conditioning System (→P. 509) while the
charging cable is connected to th e vehicle can reduce electricity
consumption immediately after starting off by operating air condi-
tioning mainly using electricity from an external power source.
● When setting the timer, selecting the start time setting mode and
setting “Climate Prep” to “On” can reduce electricity consumption
immediately after starting off by operating air conditioning before
charging is completed. ( →P. 147)
*1: Vehicles with 7-inch display
*2: Vehicles with 11.6-inch display
◆Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire infl ation pressure frequently. If there is
improper tire inflation pressure in the tires, the EV driving range will
become shorter, and fuel c onsumption when in HV mode will
increase.
Also, as snow tires can cause larg e amounts of friction, their use on
dry roads can lead to increased fuel and electricity consumption.
◆Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage will lead to poor fuel economy. Avoid carry-
ing unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack will also cause
poor fuel economy.
◆Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically,
warming up is not necessary.

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
1893. Instrument cluster
3
Instrument cluster
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehicle’s
systems.
Warning lights
Warning lightsPages
*1Brake system warning light (U.S.A.) P. 653
*1Brake system warning light (Canada)
(Red)P. 653
*1Brake system warning light
(Yellow)P. 653
*1Charging system warning light
P. 653
*1Low engine oil pressure warning lightP. 653
*1Malfunction indicator lamp (U.S.A.) P. 653
*1Malfunction indicator lamp (Canada) P. 653
*1SRS warning lightP. 654
*1ABS warning light (U.S.A.) P. 654
*1ABS warning light (Canada)P. 654
*1Electric power steering system warning light
(Red/yellow)P. 654
*1, 2PCS warning light
P. 654
*1Slip indicator light P. 655
*1High coolant temperature warning lightP. 655

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
3075-1. Before driving
5
Driving
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. (→P. 337)
Shift the shift position to P. ( →P. 331)
Check that the shift position indicator shows P.
Press the power switch to stop the hybrid system.
Slowly release the brake pedal.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on your
person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Firmly set the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed, and
then shift the shift position to D.
Release the brake pedal and gentl y depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■ When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( →P. 477)
■ For electricity-saving and fuel-efficient driving
Understand the system characteristics of the vehicle to use the functions of
the hybrid system. Also, keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to con-
ventional vehicles, and it is necessary to refrain from activities such as sud-
den acceleration. Refer to “Plug-in hybrid vehicle driving tips” ( →P. 97).
■ Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
Parking the vehicle
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
4
5
6
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2
3

310
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY”
indicator is illuminated. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and ac\
cel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelera-
tor pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is
powered only by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine
noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement. Even
though the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle proximity notification sys-
tem, drive with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not notice the
vehicle if the surrounding area is noisy.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid
system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more
difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: →P. 645

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
4775-5. Using the driving support systems
5
Driving
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward move ment of the vehicle when start-
ing on an uphill
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to redu ce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel.
The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/ABS sys-
tems are operating.
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, di rt or snow, the TRAC system may
reduce power from the hybrid sy stem to the wheels. Pressing
to turn the system off may make it easier for you to rock the vehicle in
order to free it.
To turn the TRAC system off,
quickly press and release
.
The “Traction Control Turned Off”
will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
Press
again to turn the sys-
tem back on.
When the TRAC/VSC/ABS systems are operating
Disabling the TRAC system

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
4795-5. Using the driving support systems
5
Driving
■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.
■ Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
→P. 654
■ 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 power switch is turned off
● 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.
■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will
operate:
● The shift position is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline)
● The vehicle is stopped
● The accelerator pedal is not depressed
● The parking brake is not engaged
■ Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
● Shift the shift position to P or N
● The accelerator pedal is depressed
● The parking brake is engaged
● Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released

6508-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
■While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■ Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage compartment. ( →P. 610)
■ Towing eyelet installation hole on the rear of the vehicle
The hole is equipped for fastening the
vehicle while shipping. Your vehicle can-
not tow another vehicle.
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
■ While towing
● When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eye-
lets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit peo-
ple, and cause serious damage.
● Do not turn the power switch off.
This may lead to an accident as the front wheels will be locked by the
parking lock.
■ Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
● The towing eyelets are only for the vehicle equipped with them. Do not use
the towing eyelets for another vehicle, and do not use the towing eyelets
for this vehicle on another vehicle.
● Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the
front wheels raised or with all four wheels
raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the front wheels contacting
the ground, the drivetrain and related
parts may be damaged or electricity gen-
erated by the operation of the motor may
cause a fire to occur depending on the
nature of the damage or malfunction.

6548-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
SRS warning lightIndicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(Red/yellow)
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(Flashes)
PCS warning light
When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer sounds):
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision System)
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer does not
sound):
Indicates that the PCS (Pre-Collision System) is temporar-
ily unavailable, possibly due to either of the following:
• An area around the radar sensor or camera sensor being dirty or covered with condensation, ice, stickers,
etc.
→ Clear the dirt, condensation, ice, stickers, etc.
(→P. 364)
• Radar sensor or camera sensor operational conditions (such as temperature etc.) being not met
→ Driving is possible in th is case. The PCS (Pre-Colli-
sion System) will be enabled if the operational condi-
tions (such as temperature etc.) are met again.
When the warning light is illuminated:
Either the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system or PCS
(Pre-Collision System) is disabled or both are disabled.
→ To enable the PCS, enable both the VSC system and
PCS. ( →P. 373, 478)
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions