Page 70 of 596
701-1. For safe use
PRIUS c_U
Push the buckle release button
and fully retract the seat belt.Remove the luggage cover (if equipped). ( P. 3 9 5 )
Remove the head restraint ( P. 1 5 3 )
Secure the child restraint system using the LATCH anchors or a
seat belt.
Open the anchor bracket cover,
latch the hook onto the anchor
bracket and tighten the top
tether strap.
Make sure the top tether strap is
securely latched.
Reinstall the luggage cover (i f equipped) and the head restrain t.
■Laws and regulations pertaining to anchorages
The LATCH system conforms to FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2.
Child restraint systems conforming to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 spec ifica-
tions can be used.
This vehicle is designed to conform to SAE J1819.
Removing a child restraint installed with a seat belt
Child restraint systems with a top tether strap
1
2
3
4
5
Page 71 of 596

711-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■When installing a booster seat
To prevent the belt from going into ALR lock mode, do not fully extend the
shoulder belt. ALR mode causes the belt to tighten only. This c ould cause
injury or discomfort to the child. ( P. 34)
■ When installing a child restraint system
Follow the directions given in the child restraint system insta llation manual
and fix the child restraint system securely in place.
If the child restraint system is not correctly fixed in place, the child or other
passengers may be seriously injured or even killed in the event of sudden
braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
● When a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the should er belt is
positioned across the center of the child’s shoulder. The belt should be
kept away from the child’s neck, but not so that it could fall off the child’s
shoulder. Failure to do so may r esult in death or serious injury in the event
of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
● Ensure that the belt and plate are securely locked and the seat belt is not
twisted.
● If the driver’s seat interferes with the
child restraint system and prevents it
from being attached correctly, attach the
child restraint system to the right-hand
rear seat.
● Adjust the front passenger seat so that
it does not interfere with the child
restraint system.
● Only put a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front seat when unavoid-
able. When installing a forward-facing
child restraint system on the front pas-
senger seat, move the seat as far back
as possible even if the “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator light is illuminated. Failure to
do so may result in death or serious
injury if the airbags deploy (inflate).
Page 72 of 596

721-1. For safe use
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■When installing a child restraint system
● Shake the child restraint system left and right, and forward and backward
to ensure that it has been securely installed.
● After securing a child restraint system, never adjust the seat.
● Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system
manufacturer.
● When a child restraint system with a top tether strap is instal led, do not
install the head restraint. The head restraint may interfere wi th the top
tether strap preventing secure installation of the child restraint system.
● Make sure to properly store the removed head restraint in a secure place
when you use the child restraint system on the rear seat.
● When securing some types of child restraint systems in rear seats, it may
not be possible to properly use the seat belts in positions next to the child
restraint without interfering with it or affecting seat belt ef fectiveness. Be
sure your seat belt fits snugly across your shoulder and low on your hips. If
it does not, or if it interferes with the child restraint, move to a different
position. Failure to do so may result in death or serious injur y.
■ Do not use a seat belt extender
If a seat belt extender is used when installing a child restraint system, the
seat belt will not securely hold the child restraint system, which could cause
death or serious injury to the child or other passengers in the event of sud-
den braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
■ To correctly attach a child restraint system to the anchors
When using the LATCH anchors, be sure that there are no foreign objects
around the anchors and that the seat belt is not caught behind the child
restraint. Make sure the child restraint system is securely att ached, or it
may cause death or serious injury to the child or other passeng ers in the
event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
Page 73 of 596

731-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
Exhaust gas precautions
Harmful substance to the human body is included in exhaust
gases if inhaled.
WARNING
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases enter the vehicle and may lead to
an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a serious
health hazard.
■ Important points while driving
● Keep the back door closed.
● If you smell exhaust gases in the vehicle even when the back do or is
closed, open the windows and have the vehicle inspected at your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.
■ When parking
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a
garage, stop the hybrid system.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long t ime.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an o pen space
and ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior .
● Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or
where it is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle w hile the
hybrid system is operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi-
cle.
■ Exhaust pipe
The exhaust system needs to be checked periodically. If there is a hole or
crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaus t noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Page 75 of 596

751-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
◆When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops
* when the vehicle is stopped. During
start-off, the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehic le. At
slow speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine i s
stopped
* and the motor is used.
When the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction batt ery) is
not being charged.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging o r the engine
is warming up, etc., the gasoline engine will not automatically stop.
( P. 76)
◆During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor
(traction motor) charges the hybr id battery (traction battery) as nec-
essary.
◆When accelerating sharply
The power of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is added to that of
the gasoline engine via the ele ctric motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The wheels operate the electric motor (traction motor) as a pow er
generator, and the hybrid battery (traction battery) is charged.
When the gasoline engine is off while driving, a sound is produ ced to
warn pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and ve hicles
in the surrounding area that the vehicle is approaching. The pi tch of
the sound adjusts according to v ehicle speed. When vehicle spee d is
approximately 16 mph (25 km/h) or more, the warning system turn s
off.
Vehicle Proximity Notification System
Page 77 of 596
771-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U■
Charging the hybrid batt ery (traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction bat tery), the bat-
tery does not need to be charged from an outside source. Howeve r, i f t h e
vehicle is left parked for a long time the hybrid battery (trac tion battery) will
slowly discharge. For this reason, be sure to drive the vehicle at least once
every few months for at least 30 minutes or 10 miles (16 km). I f the hybrid
battery (traction battery) becomes fully discharged and you are unable to start
the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
P. 522
■ After the 12-volt battery has discharged or when the terminal h as been
removed and installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by the
hybrid battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your
Toyota dealer.
Page 79 of 596
791-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the
actual item.
Hybrid system precautions
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high volt -
age system (about 520 V at maximum) as well as contains parts
that become extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating.
Obey the warning labels attached to the vehicle.
Warning label
Service plug
Air conditioning compressor
Electric motor (traction motor) Power control unit with DC/DC
converter
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
High voltage cables (orange)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Page 81 of 596

811-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
■If a warning light comes on, a warning message is displayed, or the 12-
volt battery has been disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In this case, try to start the system again. If
the “READY” indicator does not come on, contact your Toyota dea ler.
■ Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cann ot be started,
refuel the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the lo w fuel level
warning light ( P. 479) go off. If there is only a small amount of fuel, the
hybrid system may not be able to start. (The standard amount of fuel is about
1.3 gal. [5.0 L, 1.1 Imp. gal.] when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value
may vary when the vehicle is on a slope. Add extra fuel when th e vehicle is
inclined.)
■ Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on hybrid vehicles incorporate el ectromag-
netic shielding, and therefore emit approximately the same amount of elec-
tromagnetic waves as conventional gasoline powered vehicles or home
electronic appliances.
● Your vehicle may cause sound interference in some third party-p roduced
radio parts.
■ Hybrid battery ( traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life. The lifespan of
the hybrid battery (traction battery) can change in accordance with driving
style and driving conditions.