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4524-6. Driving tips
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Winter driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt bat-
tery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
●Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle
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4534-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road con-
ditions.
Park the vehicle and shift the shift position to P and block the wheel
under the vehicle without setting the parking brake. The parking brake
may freeze up, preventing it from being released. If the vehicle is
parked without setting the parking brake, make sure to block the
wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous because it may cause the vehicle
to move unexpectedly, possibly leading to an accident.
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. Chain
size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
3.0 mm (0.12 in.)
30.0 mm (1.18 in.)
10.0 mm (0.39 in.)
Cross chain
4.0 mm (0.16 in.)
25.0 mm (0.98 in.)
14.0 mm (0.55 in.)
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regulations before installing
chains.
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
1
2
3
4
5
6
Regulations on the use of tire chains
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4544-6. Driving tips
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
● Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the rear
tires.
● Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after
driving 0.5 - 1.0 km (1/4 - 1/2 mile).
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the specified size.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive at speeds in excess of the speed limit or the speed limit spec-
ified for the 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 accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 50 km/h (30 mph), 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 vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
● Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) (if equipped).
■ When parking the vehicle
When parking the vehicle without applying the parking brake, make sure to
chock the wheels. If you do not chock the wheels, the vehicle may move
unexpectedly, possibly resulting in an accident.
Page 482 of 770
4805-3. Using the storage features
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Vehicles with emergency tire puncture repair kit
Raise the hook to use.
The cargo hooks are provided for
securing loose items.
Vehicles with compact spare tire or full-size spare tire
Open the deck board, then
raise the hook to use.
Return the deck board to its
original position and close it.
Cargo hooks
1
2
Page 484 of 770
4825-3. Using the storage features
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
The warning reflector can be stowed on the center auxiliary box.
(The warning reflector itself is not included as an original equipment)
Depending on the size and shape of the warning reflector case, etc., you may
not be able to store it.
Warning reflector storage space
Vehicles with emergency tire
puncture repair kit (2WD mod-
els)
Vehicles with emergency tire
puncture repair kit (AWD mod-
els)
Vehicles with compact spare
tire
Vehicles with full-size spare
tire
WARNING
When storing the warning reflector, etc., make sure that it is properly stored.
If the warning reflector is not properly stored, it may fly out during emer-
gency braking and lead to an accident.
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4845-3. Using the storage features
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
■Stowing the luggage cover (except vehicles with full-size spare
tire)
Open the deck board and
secure it with the shopping
hooks.
Store cover in the deck under
box.
Close the deck board.
1
2
WARNING
● Do not place anything on the luggage cover. In the event of sudden brak-
ing or turning, the item may go flying and strike an occupant. This could
lead to an unexpected accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
● Do not allow children to climb on the luggage cover. Climbing on the lug-
gage cover could result in damage to the luggage cover, possibly causing
death or serious injury to the child.
● Make sure that the rear edge of the cover is laying flat. If the cover is
installed with the rear edge raised, t he view from the rear window may be
obstructed, which could cause an accident.
● Make sure that seat belts are not caught up in the luggage cover. If a seat
belt is caught up in the cover, it may not be able to restrain passengers
properly.
3
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5296-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
6
Maintenance and care
Rotate the tires in the order shown.
To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Toyota recommends that tire
rotation is carried out approximately every 10000 km (6000 miles).
Vehicle with the tire pressure warning system:
Do not fail to initialize the tire pressure warning system after tire rotation.
Tire rotation
Vehicles without full-size spare
tireVehicles with full-size spare
tire
FrontFront
Page 534 of 770

5326-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose
the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage.
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage.
If you are not sure, consult with any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■Replacing tires and wheels (vehicles with the tire pressure warning sys-
tem)
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not regis-
tered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for
about 10 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and stays
on to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it
has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks (vehicles with the tire pressure
warning system)
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pres-
sure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine
of daily vehicle checks.
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
■Low profile tires (vehicles with 215/45R17 tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip performance
will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to standard tires.
Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or icy roads and drive
carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions.