
2484-5. Toyota Safety Sense C
PRIUS c_U
■High beam automatic turning on or off conditions
●When all of the following conditions are fulfilled, the high be am will be auto-
matically turned on (after approximately 1 second):
• Vehicle speed is approximately 21 mph (33 km/h) or more.
• The area ahead of the vehicle is dark.
• There are no vehicles ahead with headlights or tail lights turned on.
• There are few streetlights on the road ahead.
● If any of the following conditions is met, the high beams will turn off automat-
ically:
• Vehicle speed is below approx imately 17 mph (27 km/h).
• The area ahead of the vehicle is not dark.
• Vehicles ahead have their headlights or tail lights turned on.
• There are many streetlights on the road ahead.
■ Front sensor detection information
●The high beam may not be automatically turned off in the following situa-
tions:
• When vehicles ahead suddenly appear from a curve
• When the vehicle is cut in front of by another vehicle
• When vehicles ahead are hidden from sight due to repeated curv es, road
dividers or roadside trees
• When vehicles ahead appear from the faraway lane on wide road
• When vehicles ahead have no lights
● The high beam may be turned off if a vehicle ahead that is usin g fog lights
without using the headlights is detected.
● House lights, street lights, traffic signals, and illuminated billboards or signs
may cause the high beam to switch to the low beams, or the low beams to
remain on.
● The following factors may affect the amount of time taken to tu rn the high
beam on or off:
• The brightness of headlights, fog lights, and tail lights of v ehicles ahead
• The movement and direction of vehicles ahead
• When a vehicle ahead only has operational lights on one side
• When a vehicle ahead is a two-wheeled vehicle
• The condition of the road (gradient, curve, condition of the r oad surface,
etc.)
• The number of passengers and amount of luggage
● The high beam may be turned on or off when the driver does not expect it.
● Bicycles or similar objects may not be detected.

2634-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■When using the rear view monitor system
The rear view monitor system is a supplemental device intended to assist
the driver when backing up. When backing up, be sure to visually check all
around the vehicle both directly and using the mirrors before p roceeding. If
you do not, you may hit another vehicle, and could possibly cau se an acci-
dent.
Pay attention to the following precautions when using the rear view monitor
system.
● Never depend on the rear view monitor system entirely when back ing up.
The image and the position of the guide lines displayed on the screen may
differ from the actual state.
Use caution, just as you would when backing up any vehicle.
● Be sure to back up slowly, depressing the brake pedal to contro l vehicle
speed.
● The instructions given are only guidelines.
When and how much to turn the steering wheel will vary accordin g to traf-
fic conditions, road surface conditions, vehicle condition, etc . when park-
ing. It is necessary to be fully aware of this before using the rear view
monitor system.
● When parking, be sure to check that the parking space will acco mmodate
your vehicle before maneuvering into it.
● Do not use the rear view monitor system in the following cases:
• On icy or slick road surfaces, or in snow
• When using tire chains or the compact spare tire
• When the back door is not closed completely
• On roads that are not flat or straight, such as curves or slop es.
● In low temperatures, the screen may darken or the image may bec ome
faint. The image could distort when the vehicle is moving, or y ou may
become unable to see the image on the screen. Be sure to visual ly check
all around the vehicle both directly and using the mirrors befo re proceed-
ing.
● If the tire sizes are changed, the position of the fixed guide lines displayed
on the screen may change.
● The camera uses a special lens. The distances between objects a nd
pedestrians that appear in the image displayed on the screen will differ
from the actual distances. ( P. 258)

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.

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

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.

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.

2754-7. Driving tips
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
●Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the
parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from
being released. If the vehicle is parked without setting the pa rking
brake, make sure t o block the wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerou s because it may cause the vehi-
cle to move unexpectedly, pos sibly leading to an accident.
● If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, confirm
that the shift lever c annot be moved out of P
*.
*: The shift lever will be locked if it is attempted to be shifte d from P to any
other position without depressing the brake pedal. If the shift lever can be
shifted from P, there may be a problem with the shift lock syst em. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
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] in diameter)
Cross chain
(0.16 in. [4.0 mm] in diameter)
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 parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
1
2
Regulations on the use of tire chains

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.