Page 31 of 600
311-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U■
Fastening the seat belt
The  rear  center  seat  belt  is  a  3-point  type  restraint  with  2  bu
ckles.
Both  seat  belt  buckles  must  be  correctly  located  and  securely
latched for proper operation.
Push  the  tabs  back  all  the
way  into  the  cover  and  then
remove the tabs.
Push  tab  “B”  into  the  buckle
until a click sound is heard.
Push  tab  “A”  into  the  buckle
until a click sound is heard.
Rear center seat belt
B
A
1
B
O
A
P 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 33 of 600
331-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
Holding  tab  “A”  and  “B”
together,  insert  both  tabs  all
the way into the cover on the
roof.
With  tab  “B”  inserted  all  the
way into the cover, move tab
“A”  slightly  back  toward  the
cover’s inlet, so that it blocks
the inlet.
B
A
3
BA
Q 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 37 of 600

371-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Seat belt damage and wear
● Do  not  damage  the  seat  belts  by  allowing  the  belt,  plate,  or  bu ckle  to  be
jammed in the door.
● Inspect the seat belt system periodically. Check for cuts, fray ing, and loose
parts.  Do  not  use  a  damaged  seat  belt  until  it  is  replaced.  Dam aged  seat
belts cannot protect an occupant from death or serious injury.
● Ensure that the belt and plate are locked and the belt is not twisted.
If the seat belt does not function correctly, immediately conta ct your Toyota
dealer.
● Replace  the  seat  assembly,  including  the  belts,  if  your  vehicle  has  been
involved in a serious accident, even if there’s no obvious dama ge.
● Do  not  attempt  to  install,  remove,  modify,  disassemble  or  dispo se  of  the
seat belts. Have any necessary repairs carried out by your Toyota dealer.
Inappropriate  handling  of  the  pretensioner  may  prevent  it  from  operating
properly, resulting in death or serious injury.
■ When using or storing th e rear center seat belt
● For vehicles with split rear seats, do not allow anyone sit on  the rear center
seat if the rear right seat is folded down, as the seat belt bu ckle for the rear
center  seat  belt  is  then  concealed  under  the  folded  seat  and  ca nnot  be
used.
● When  storing  the  rear  center  seat  belt,  ensure  that  the  tabs  ar e  securely
inserted into the cover on the roof. If the tabs are not stowed  properly, they
may drop from the cover while driving, resulting in serious inj ury.
●Do not use the rear center seat belt with
either buckle released. 
Fastening only one of the buckles may
result in death or serious injury in case
of sudden braking or a collision. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 88 of 600

88
PRIUS c_U
1-4. Theft deterrent system
Vehicles  without  a  smart  key  sys-
tem:  The  indicator  light  flashes
after  the  key  has  been  removed
from  the  power  switch  to  indicate
that the system is operating.
The  indicator  light  stops  flashing
after  the  registered  key  has  been
inserted  into  the  power  switch  to
indicate  that  the  system  has  been
canceled.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The indicator light flashes after the
power switch has been turned off to indicate that the system is  operat-
ing.
The indicator light stops flashing after the power switch has b een turned to
ACCESSORY or ON mode to indicate that the system has been canceled.
■ System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type immobilizer system.
■ Conditions affecting operation
Depending  on  the  surrounding  environment  and  conditions,  the  im mobilizer
system  may  not  operate  properly.  This  may  prevent  the  hybrid  sy stem  from
starting. ( P. 143)
Immobilizer system
The  vehicle’s  keys  ha ve  built-in  transponder  chips  that  prevent
the hybrid system from starting if a key has not been previousl y
registered in the vehic le’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehi-
cle.
This  system  is  designed  to  help  prevent  vehicle  theft  but  does
not guarantee absolute security against all vehicle thefts.
: If equipped 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 95 of 600
952. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehicle's
systems.
Warning lights
*
(U.S.A.)
Brake  system  warning
light ( P. 480)*
Slip indicator ( P. 482)
*
(Canada)
Brake  system  warning
light (P. 480)Low  fuel  level  warning
light (P. 482)
*
(Yellow)
Brake  system  warning
light (P. 480)Seat  belt  reminder  light
(P. 482)
*
(U.S.A.)
Malfunction  indicator
lamp ( P. 481)*Master warning light 
(P. 482)
*
(Canada)
Malfunction  indicator
lamp ( P. 481)*Tire  pressure  warning
light (P. 483)
*
SRS warning light 
(P. 481)
*
(Flashes or 
illuminates)
PCS warning light 
(  P.   4 8 2 )
*
(U.S.A.)
ABS warning light 
(P. 481)
(U.S.A)
Parking  brake  warning
light ( P. 207)
*
(Canada)
ABS warning light 
(P. 481)
(Canada)
Parking  brake  warning
light ( P. 207)
*Electric  power  steering
system warning light
(P. 481) 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 98 of 600

982. Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U
*1: These lights  turn on when  the power  switch  is turned to  the  “ON” position
(vehicles without a smart key system) or the power switch is tu rned to ON
mode (vehicles with a smart key system) to indicate that a system check is
being performed. They will turn off after the hybrid system is  on, or after a
few  seconds.  There  may  be  a  malfunction  in  a  system  if  a  light  does  not
come on, or turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota  dealer.
*2: The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
*3: This light turns on when the system is off.
*4: When  the  outside  temperature  is  approximately  37°F  (3°C)  or  lo wer,  the
indicator will flash for approximately 10 seconds, then stay on .
*4Low  outside  tempera-
ture indicator (P. 99)
WARNING
■If a safety system warning light does not come on 
Should  a  safety  system  light  suc h  as  the  ABS  or  SRS  warning  lig ht  not
come on when you start the hybrid system, this could mean that  these sys-
tems are not available to help protect you in an accident, whic h could result
in death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your  Toyota dealer
immediately if this occurs. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 265 of 600

2654-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
◆ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)
The electronically controlled system generates braking force corre-
sponding to the brake operation
◆ABS (Anti-lock  Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenl y,
or if the brakes are applied while  driving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake p edal
is depressed when the system de tects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps  the  driver  to  control  skidding  when  swerving  suddenly  or
turning on slippery road surfaces
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps  to  maintain  drive  power  and  prevent  the  drive  wheels  from
spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward movement of the vehicle when start -
ing on an uphill
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed  to
turn the steering wheel 
Driving assist systems
To  keep  driving  safety  and  perf ormance,  the  following  systems
operate  automatically  in  respon se  to  various  driving  situations.
Be  aware,  however,  that  these  systems  are  supplementary  and
should  not  be  relied  upon  too  heav ily  when  operating  the  vehi-
cle.  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 266 of 600
2664-6. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS c_U
The  slip  indicator  light  will  flash
while  the  TRAC/VSC/ABS  sys-
tems are operating.
If  the  vehicle  gets  stuck  in  mud,  dirt  or  snow,  the TRAC  system  may
reduce power from the hybrid syst em 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 “TRAC OFF” will be shown on
the multi-information display.
Press   again to turn the system
back on.
When the TRAC/VSC/ABS systems are operating
Disabling the TRAC system