17Pictorial index
PRIUS c_UWindshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 212
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 272
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 219
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 219
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 536
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 433
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 541
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 272
Checking/rotation/tire pressur e warning system . . . . . . . . .P. 433
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 502
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 417
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 417
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 537
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 526
Headlights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 206
Parking lights/front turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 204, 206
Side turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 204
Front fog lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 210
Front side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 206
Stop lights/tail lights /rear side marker lights/
rear turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 204, 206
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 200
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 206
4
5
6
7
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 456, Watts: P. 542)
*: If equipped
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
2704-7. Driving tips
PRIUS c_U
◆Delays
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at
traffic lights, will lead to bad fuel economy. Check traffic re ports
before leaving and avoid delays as much as possible. When drivi ng
in a traffic jam, gently release the brake pedal to allow the v ehicle to
move forward slightly while avoid ing overuse of the accelerator
pedal. Doing so can help control excessive gasoline consumption.
◆Highway driving
Control and maintain the vehicle at a constant speed. Before st op-
ping at a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to releas e the
accelerator and gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of el ec-
trical energy can be regenerated when slowing down.
◆Air conditioning
Use the air conditioning only when necessary. Doing so can help
reduce excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: When the ambient tempe rature is high, use the recircu-
lated air mode. Doing so will help to reduce the burden on the air
conditioning system and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasolin e engine will not automatically cut out
until it and the interior of the vehicle are warm, it will cons ume fuel.
Also, fuel consumption can be improved by avoiding overuse of t he
heater.
◆Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently. Impr oper
tire inflation pressure can cause poor fuel economy.
Also, as snow tires can cause large amounts of friction, their use on
dry roads can lead to poor fuel economy. Use tires that are app ro-
priate for the season.
◆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.
2724-7. Driving tips
PRIUS c_U
●Use fluids that are appropriate t o the prevailing outside tempera-
tures. • Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt bat-
tery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that cha ins match
the size of the tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is fr ozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to p revent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ic e or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle's roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to roa d con-
ditions.
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a ma n-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Pre-winter preparations
Before driving the vehicle
When driving the vehicle
4377-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U■
Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of t
he replacement tire is greater than 1/2
of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axl e or the
rear axle, whichever is greater.
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to hi ghway
driving under dry conditions. Si nce summer tires do not have th e same
traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy ro ads. For driving on snow-covered
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When install-
ing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in sno w and to
be adequate for driving in most winter conditions as well as fo r use
year-round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate tra ction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Al so, all
season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performanc e com-
pared with summer tires in highway driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend us ing
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same si ze, con-
struction and load capacity as t he originally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construct ion. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for possible restrictions. Sno w tires
should be install ed on all wheels. ( P. 272)
■If the tread on snow tires wea rs down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost. For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the tire,
see the load limit at maximum cold tire
inflation pressure mentioned on the
sidewall of the tire. ( P. 5 4 6 )