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5-5. Using the driving support systems
WARNING
●Observe the following precautions, as the sensors may stop func tioning
properly which may lead to an accident.
• Do not subject the sensor to strong shocks by hitting it, etc. The sen-
sors may not function properly.
• When using a high-pressure washer to wash the vehicle, do not spray
water directly on the sensors. Equipment may not function prope rly if
subjected to an impact from strong water pressure. If the vehic le
bumper strikes something, equipment may not operate properly du e to
a sensor malfunction. Have the vehicle inspected at your Toyota dealer.
● In the following situations, the sensors may not operate normally and may
lead to an accident. Drive carefully.
• Obstacles cannot be detected in the side areas until a scan of the side
areas is completed. ( P. 434)
• Even after the scan of the side areas is completed, obstacles such as other vehicles, people or animals that approach from the sides cannot
be detected.
• The sensor is frozen (if it thaws, the system returns to norma l).
A warning message may display at particularly low temperatures due to
the sensor freezing and it may not detect parked vehicles.
• The sensor is blocked by someone’s hand.
• The vehicle is tilted a large amount.
• The temperature is extremely hot or cold.
• The vehicle is driven on undulating roads, slopes, gravel road s, in areas
with tall grass, etc.
• An ultrasonic wave source is nearby, such as the horn or senso rs of
another vehicle, a motorcycle engine or the air brake of a larg e vehicle.
• Heavy rain or a water strikes the vehicle.
• The angle of the sensor may be deviated when assist control st arts
even if there is a parked vehicle in the target parking spot. Have the
vehicle inspected at your Toyota dealer.
• Do not install any accessories within the sensor detection ran ge.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5-5. Using the driving support systems
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the s ystem from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an exten ded period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should thi s 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 wa rning light (warning buzzer)
P. 661
■ 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 wh en vehicle
speed increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-e nabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases.
■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assi st control will
operate:
● The shift position is in a position other than P or N (when sta rting 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 release d
Page 489 of 792

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
4895-5. Using the driving support systems
5
Driving
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (suc h as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or s lick road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, espe cially in the
following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■ TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC systems are operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and p ower may be
lost.
■ Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
● Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start ass ist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered wit h ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not inte nded to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.
■ When the TRAC, VSC and/or ABS is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
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5-6. Driving tips
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.
Park the vehicle and shift the shift position to P and block th e wheel
under the vehicle without setting the parking brake. The parkin g brake
may freeze up, preventing it fro m being released. If the vehicle is
parked without setting the parking brake, make sure to block th e
wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous because it may cause the vehi cle
to move unexpectedly, possi bly leading to an accident.
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. Chain
size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
0.12 in. (3.0 mm)
1.18 in. (30.0 mm)
0.39 in. (10.0 mm)
Cross chain 0.16 in. (4.0 mm)
0.98 in. (25.0 mm)
0.55 in. (14.0 mm)
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Always chec k local regulations before installing
chains.
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
1
2
3
4
5
6
Regulations on the use of tire chains
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
4935-6. Driving tips
5
Driving
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
● Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tir e chains on the rear
tires.
● Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Reti ghten chains after
driving 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided with th e tire chains.
■ Consumption of fuel and electricity
In cold temperatures, resistance of the parts of a vehicle (tra nsmission, tires,
etc.) generally increases, resulting in increase of energy cons umption. As a
result, fuel economy is likely to decrease.
Consumption of fuel and electricity of this vehicle is also lik ely to become
worse in cold temperatures.
WARNING
■ Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of acciden ts.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and ca use death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the specified size.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of acciden ts.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be d riven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tir e chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that v ehicle con-
trol is maintained.
● Do not use LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control).
■ When parking the vehicle
When parking the vehicle without applying the parking brake, ma ke sure to
chock the wheels. If you do not chock the wheels, the vehicle m ay move
unexpectedly, possibly resulting in an accident.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5777-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Hybrid transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift positionis in P, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clear-
ance from the floor? ( P. 723)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( P. 723)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when
the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights aimed correctly? ( P. 639)
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake pedal move
smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking
brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com- ing from the steering wheel.
Page 615 of 792
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Replacing the tire
●Stop the vehicle in a safe place on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift position to P.
● Stop the hybrid system.
When raising your vehicle with a jack, position the jack cor-
rectly.
Improper placement m ay damage your vehicle or cause injury.
Before jacking up the vehicle
Page 654 of 792
6548-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the front From the rear
Release the parking brake. Us e a towing dolly under the
front wheels.