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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Daytime running light system
●The  daytime  running  lights  illuminate  using  the  same  lights  as  the  head-
lights, and illuminate dimmer than the headlights.
● To  make  your  vehicle  more  visible  to  other  drivers  during  dayti me  driving,
the  daytime  running  lights  turn  on  automatically  when  all  of  the  following
conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designe d for use at
night.)
• The hybrid system is operating
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the  ,  ,   or 
* position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, eve n if the park-
ing brake is set again.
● For  the  U.S.A.:  Daytime  running  lights  can  be  turned  off  by  ope rating  the
switch.
● Compared  to  turning  on  the  headlights,  the  daytime  running  ligh t  system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it  can help improve
fuel economy.
■ Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
■ Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights tur n off 30 sec-
onds  after  a  door  is  opened  and  closed  if  the  power  switch  is  t urned  to
ACCESSORY  mode  or  turned  off.  (The  lights  turn  off  immediately  if    on
the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
● When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and the  driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode,  or turn the light
switch to the  ,  ,   or   position once and then back to the
 or   position. 
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that  blocks  the  sensor  is  affixed  to  the
windshield. 
Doing  so  interferes  with  the  sensor
detecting  the  level  of  ambient  light  and
may  cause  the  automatic  headlight  sys-
tem to malfunction. 
Air  conditioning  operation  may  also  be
interrupted. 
     
        
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
The system can detect the following:
●Vehicles
● Bicyclists
● Pedestrians
: If equipped
The  pre-collision  system  uses  a  radar  sensor  and  front  camera
to detect objects ( P. 296) in front of the vehicle. When the sys-
tem  determines  that  the  possibility  of  a  frontal  collision  with  an
object is high, a warning operates to urge the driver to take e va-
sive action and the potential brake pressure is increased to he lp
the  driver  avoid  the  collision.  If  the  system  determines  that  t he
possibility of a frontal collision with an object is extremely  high,
the  brakes  are  automatically  applied  to  help  avoid  the  collisio n
or help reduce the impa ct of the collision.
The  pre-collision  system  can  b e  disabled/enabled  and  the  warnin g
timing can be changed. ( P.   3 0 0 )
Detectable objects 
     
        
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the front camera
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or front camera is misaligned
● In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking fo rce may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If  the  braking  functions  cannot  operate  to  their  full  extent,  such  as  when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If  the  vehicle  is  not  properly  maintained  (brakes  or  tires  are   excessively
worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When  the  vehicle  is  being  driven  on  a  gravel  road  or  other  sli ppery  sur-
face
■ If VSC is disabled
●If VSC is disabled ( P. 422), the pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision
braking functions are also disabled.
● The PCS warning light will turn on and “VSC Turned Off Pre-Coll ision Brake
System Unavailable” will be displayed on the multi-information  display.
• If  the  front  of  the  vehicle  is  raised  or
lowered 
     
        
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Dynamic radar cruise control wi th full-speed range can be set when
● The shift position is in D.
● The desired set speed can be set when the vehicle speed is approximately
20 mph (30 km/h) or more. 
(However,  when  the  vehicle  speed  is  set  while  driving  at  below  approxi-
mately 20 mph [30 km/h], the set speed will be set to approxima tely 20 mph
[30 km/h].)
■ Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
The vehicle can accelerate by operating the accelerator pedal.  After acceler-
ating,  the  set  speed  resumes.  However,  during  vehicle-to-vehicl e  distance
control mode, the vehicle speed may decrease below the set spee d in order
to maintain the distance to the preceding vehicle.
■ When the vehicle stops while follow-up cruising
●Pushing  the  lever  up  while  the  vehicle  ahead  stops  will  resume  follow-up
cruising  if  the  vehicle  ahead  starts  off  within  approximately  3   seconds  after
the lever is pushed up.
● If the vehicle ahead starts off within 3 seconds after your veh icle stops, fol-
low-up cruising will be resumed.
■ Automatic cancelation of vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode is automatically cance led in the fol-
lowing situations.
● VSC is activated.
● TRAC is activated for a period of time.
● When the VSC or TRAC system is turned off.
● The sensor cannot detect correctly because it is covered in some way.
● Pre-collision braking is activated.
● The parking brake is operated.
● The vehicle is stopped by system control on a steep incline.
● The  following  are  detected  when  the  vehicle  has  been  stopped  by   system
control:
• The driver is not wearing a seat belt.
• The driver’s door is opened.
• The vehicle has been stopped for about 3 minutes.
In this situation, the shift position may automatically switch  to P. (P. 258)
If  vehicle-to-vehicle  distance  control  mode  is  automatically  ca nceled  for  any
reasons  other  than  the  above,  there  may  be  a  malfunction  in  the   system.
Contact your Toyota dealer. 
     
        
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
■When the sensor may not be correctly detect ing the vehicle ahead
In  the  case  of  the  following  and  depending  on  the  conditions,  o perate  the
brake  pedal  when  deceleration  of  the  system  is  insufficient  or  operate  the
accelerator pedal when acceleration is required.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types o f vehicles, the
approach warning ( P. 336) may not be activated.
● Vehicles that cut in suddenly
● Vehicles traveling at low speeds
● Vehicles that are not moving in the same lane
● Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board,  etc.)
● Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
● When  water  or  snow  thrown  up  by  the  surrounding  vehicles  hinders  the
detecting of the sensor
●When  your  vehicle  is  pointing  upwards
(caused  by  a  heavy  load  in  the  luggage
compartment, etc.)
● Preceding vehicle has an extremely high
ground clearance 
     
        
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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3414-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Conditions  under  which  the  vehic le-to-vehicle  distance  control mode
may not function correctly
In the case of the following conditions, operate the brake peda l (or accelera-
tor pedal, depending on the situation) as necessary.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, the system
may not operate properly.
● When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly
● When driving on a road surrounded by a structure, such as in a  tunnel or on
a bridge
● While  the  vehicle  speed  is  decreasing  to  the  set  speed  after  th e  vehicle
accelerates by depressing the accelerator pedal
●
When the road curves or when the lanes
are narrow
● When  steering  wheel  operation  or  your
position in the lane is unstable 
     
        
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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3694-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
■When using intuitive parking assist
Observe the following precautions to avoid an unexpected accident.
● Do not exceed the speed limit of 6 mph (10 km/h).
● The sensors’ detection areas and reaction times are limited. When moving
forward  or  reversing,  check  the  areas  surrounding  the  vehicle  ( especially
the  sides  of  the  vehicle)  for  safety,  and  drive  slowly,  using  t he  brake  to
control the vehicle’s speed.
● Do not install accessories within the sensors’ detection areas. 
     
        
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
WARNING
■Sensors
Certain  vehicle  conditions  and  the  surrounding  environment may  affect  the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular  instances where
this may occur are listed below.
● There  is  dirt,  snow  or  ice  on  the  sensor.  (Wiping  the  sensors  w ill  resolve
this problem.)
● The sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this probl em.) 
In  especially  cold  weather,  if  a  sensor  is  frozen,  the  screen  m ay  show  an
abnormal display, or obstacles may not be detected.
● The sensor is covered in any way.
● In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather
● On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass
● The  vicinity  of  the  vehicle  is  noisy  due  to  vehicle  horns,  moto rcycle
engines, air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises pro ducing ultra-
sonic waves.
● The sensor is splashed with water or drenched with heavy rain.
● The sensor is drenched with water on a flooded road.
● The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
● The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
● The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
● The area directly under the bumpers is not detected.
● If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
● The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
● A non-genuine Toyota suspension (lowered suspension etc.) is in stalled.
● There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors i n the vicin-
ity.
● Towing eyelets are installed.
● A backlit license plate is installed.
In addition to the examples above, depending on the shape and c ondition of
obstacles,  detection  may  not  be  possible,  or  the  detection  rang e  may  be
shortened.