Page 267 of 600

2674-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
■Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems
To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off, press and hold for more than 3
seconds while the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on and the “TRAC OFF” wil l be shown
on the multi-information display.
*
Press again to turn the system back on.
*: When the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, pre-collision brake assist
and pre-collision braking will be disabled and the PCS warning light will illu-
minate. ( P. 240)
■ When the message is displayed on the multi-information display show-
ing that TRAC has been disab led even if has not been pressed
TRAC is temporary deactivated. If the information continues to show, contact
your Toyota dealer.
■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assi st control will
operate:
● The shift lever 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:
● The shift lever is shifted to P or N
● The accelerator pedal is depressed
● The parking brake is engaged
● 2 seconds at maximum elapsed after the brake pedal is released
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and
hill-start assist control systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is depressed repeatedly, when the hybrid system is started or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a mal function has
occurred in any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above system s are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occur red.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard also after the vehicle comes to a s top.
Page 268 of 600

2684-6. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS c_U■
ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the following cases, but it does not
indicate that a malfunction has occurred.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brak e pedal
is operated.
● Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of th e vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or t wo min-
utes passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring so und) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ 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. 484
■ 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 to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or the power switch is turned off (vehicles with a smart
key system)
● 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.
Page 269 of 600

2694-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
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 roads.
■ 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 system is 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/ABS/VSC are activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the r oad condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stabilit y and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.
Page 270 of 600
2704-6. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, trea d pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if di fferent tires
are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replaci ng tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspensio n will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfuncti on.
Page 276 of 600

2764-7. Driving tips
PRIUS c_U
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire cha ins 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 th e instructions provided with th e tire chains.
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 size specified.
● 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) system.
Page 277 of 600
2774-7. Driving tips
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Toyota dealer s or legiti-
mate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affect s the opera-
tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■ Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not funct ion correctly
when tire chains are fitted.
Page 283 of 600
2835-2. Basic Operations (Multimedia system)
5
Audio system
PRIUS c_U
Vo l u m e s w i t c h• Increases/dec reases volume
• Press and hold: Continuously increases/decreases volume
Cursor switch • Selects (radio stations/radio presets/tracks/files/songs)
• Moves cursor
• Press and hold: Seek up /down (radio stations)
• Fast up/down (tracks/files)
“MODE” switch • Changes audio source
• Press and hold this switch to mute or pause the current operat ion
To cancel the mute or pause, press and hold.
Steering wheel audio switches
Some audio features can be cont rolled using the switches on
the steering wheel.
Operation may differ depending on the type of audio system or
navigation system. For details, refer to the manual provided with
the audio system or navigation system.
Operating the multimedia system using the steering wheel
switches
1
12
3
WARNING
■To reduce the risk of an accident
Exercise care when operating the audio switches on the steering wheel.
Page 285 of 600
2855-2. Basic Operations (Multimedia system)
5
Audio system
PRIUS c_U
■AUX port
The AUX port only supports audio input.
WARNING
■While driving
Do not connect a device or operate the device controls.
NOTICE
■Cord hook
Do not secure items other than cords on the cord hook. Doing so may dam-
age the cord hook.