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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2414-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed pr operly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting t he driver or
passengers, possibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever poss i-
ble.
●Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment highe r
than the seatbacks.
●When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be pla ced
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is no t
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with t heir seat
belts properly fastened.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rea r seats (when stacking items)
• On the luggage cover (if equipped)
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehic le
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, d o not apply the load unevenly. I mproper
loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.
Page 242 of 740
242
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 664
Total load capacity means the co mbined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: P. 6 6 4
Seating capacity means the max imum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 1 50 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towi ng a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading inform ation label.
( P. 542)
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capaci ty,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering
and braking ability, res ulting in an accident.
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243
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch
or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bi cy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not des igned for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch mounted carriers.
Page 244 of 740
244
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the hybrid transmission and
AWD system (AWD models)
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the hybrid transmission.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the hybrid
transmission and AWD system.
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255
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Hybrid transmission
Shift lever
Operate the shift lever gently and ensure correct shifting operation.
Release the shift lever after each shifting operation to allow it to return to
the position.
When shifting from P to N, D or R, from D to R, or from R to D, ensure that
the brake pedal is being depressed and the vehicle is stationar y.
Shift position indicator
The current shift position is highlighted.
When any shift position other than D or B is selected, the arro w toward B
and B position indicator disappear from the shift position indicator.
When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift pos ition has
been changed to the desired posi tion by checking the shift position
indicator provided on t he instrument cluster.
Shifting the shift lever
1
When shifting to the D or R, move the shift lever along the shi ft
gate.
To shift to the N, slide the shift lever to the left and hold i t. The shift
position will change to N.
To shift to the B, pull the shift lever down. Shifting to B is only pos-
sible when shift position D is selected.
2
Page 265 of 740

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2654-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
CanadaThe headlights, side
marker, parking, LED
accent (if equipped),
daytime running lights
( P. 266) and so on
turn on and off automat-
ically (when the power
switch is in ON mode).
The side marker, park-
ing, LED accent (if
equipped), tail, license
plate, instrument panel
lights, and daytime run-
ning lights ( P. 266)
turn on.
The headlights and all the lig hts listed above (except day-
time running lights) turn on.
The daytime running lights turn on. ( P. 266)
With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to turn
on the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once.
You can flash the high beams with the headlights on or off.
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) secures excellent visibili ty at
intersections and on curves by automatically adjusting the dire ction of
the light axis of the headlights according to vehicle speed and the
degree of the tire’s angle as controlled by steering input.
AFS operates at speeds of approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) or high er.
1
2
Turning on the high beam headlights
3
4
1
2
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) (if equipped)
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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2714-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
●In the situations shown below, the system may not be able to accurately
detect surrounding brightness levels. This may cause the low be ams to
remain on or the high beams to cause problems for pedestrians, vehicles
ahead or other parties. In these cases, manually switch between the high
and low beams.
• In bad weather (rain, snow, fog, sandstorms etc.)
• The windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt etc.
• The windshield is cracked or damaged.
• The front camera is deformed or dirty.
• The front camera temperature is extremely high.
• Surrounding brightness levels are equal to those of headlights , tail lights
or fog lights.
• Vehicles ahead have headlights that are either switched off, d irty, are
changing color, or are not aimed properly.
• When driving through an area of intermittently changing brightness and darkness.
• When frequently and repeatedly driving ascending/descending roads, or roads with rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved
roads, gravel tracks etc.).
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a w inding
road.
• There is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or
a mirror.
• The back of a vehicle ahead is highly reflective, such as a co ntainer on a
truck.
• The vehicle’s headlights are damaged or dirty.
• The vehicle is listing or tilting, due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed etc.
• The high beam and low beam are repeatedly being switched betwe en in
an abnormal manner.
• The driver believes that the high beam may be causing problems or dis-
tress to other drivers or pedestrians nearby.
Page 299 of 740

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2994-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
■When to disable the pre-collision system
In the following situations, disable the system, as it may not operate prop-
erly, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or ser ious injury:
● When the vehicle is being towed
● When your vehicle is towing another vehicle
● When transporting the vehicle via truck, boat, train or similar means of
transportation
● When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the hybrid system on and the tires
are allowed to rotate freely
● When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chass is dyna-
mometer or speedometer tester, or when using an on vehicle whee l bal-
ancer
● When a strong impact is applied to the front bumper or front gr ille, due to
an accident or other reasons
● If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehi-
cle has been in an accident or is malfunctioning
● When the vehicle is driven in a sporty manner or off-road
● When the tires are not properly inflated
● When the tires are very worn
● When tires of a size other than specified are installed
● When tire chains are installed
● When a compact spare tire or an emergency tire puncture repair kit is used
● If equipment (snow plow, etc.) that may obstruct the radar sens or or front
camera is temporarily installed to the vehicle