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3135-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
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Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Use engine braking (shift position B instead of shift position D) to maintain
a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 3 3 0 )
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, head or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage
the hybrid system or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
● After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the
brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
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3455-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
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Driving
●The following factors may affect the amount of time taken to turn the high
beam on or off, or the speed by which the areas not illuminated change:
• The brightness of headlights, fog lights, and tail lights of vehicles 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 road surface
etc.)
• The number of passengers and amount of luggage
●The light distribution control of the headlights may change unexpectedly.
●Bicycles or similar objects may not be detected.
●In the situations shown below, the system may not be able to accurately
detect surrounding brightness levels. This may cause the low beams 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, dirty, are
changing color, or are not aimed properly.
• The vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a preceding vehicle.
• 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 winding
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 container 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 between in
an abnormal manner.
• The driver believes that the high beam may be causing problems or dis-
tress to other drivers or pedestrians nearby.
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3595-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
5
Driving
WARNING
●Do not dirty or damage the front camera.
When cleaning the inside of the windshi eld, do not allow glass cleaner to
contact the lens of the front camera. Also, do not touch the lens.
If the lens is dirty or damaged, contact any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
● Do not subject the front camera to a strong impact.
● Do not change the installation position or direction of the front camera or
remove it.
● Do not disassemble the front camera.
● Do not modify any components of the vehicle around the front camera
(inside rear view mirror, etc.) or ceiling.
● Do not attach any accessories to the hood, front grille or front bumper that
may obstruct the front camera. Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer for details.
● If a surfboard or other long object is to be mounted on the roof, make sure
that it will not obstruct the front camera.
● Do not modify the headlights or other lights.
Page 425 of 818
4235-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
5
Driving
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)
The Blind Spot Monitor is a system that has 2 functions;
●The Blind Spot Monitor function
Assists the driver in making the decision when changing lanes
●The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function
Assists the driver when backing up
These functions use same sensors.
Outside rear view mirror indicators
Blind Spot Monitor function:
When a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, the outside rear view mirror
indicator comes on while the turn signal lever is not operated. If the turn
signal lever is operated toward the detected side, the outside rear view
mirror indicator flashes.
Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function:
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left rear of the vehicle is
detected, the outside rear view mirror indicators flash.
: If equipped
Summary of the Blind Spot Monitor
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4255-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
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Driving
■The BSM outside rear view mirror indicators visibility
When under strong sunlight, the outside rear view mirror indicator may be dif-
ficult to see.
■The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert buzzer hearing
The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert buzzer may be difficult to hear over loud
noises such as high audio volume.
■When “Blind Spot Monitor Unavailable” is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display
The sensor voltage has become abnormal, water, snow mud, etc., may be
built up in the vicinity of the sensor area of bumper (P. 438). Removing the
water, snow, mud, etc., from the vicinity of the sensor area bumper should
return it to normal. Also, the sensor may not function normally when used in
extremely hot or cold weather.
■When “Blind Spot Monitor System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is
shown on the multi-information display
There may be a sensor malfunction or misaligned. Have the vehicle
inspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or
any reliable repairer.
Page 441 of 818
4395-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
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Driving
The Blind Spot Monitor function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles
that are traveling in an adjacent lane in the area that is not reflected in
the outside rear view mirror (the blind spot), and advises the driver of
the vehicle’s existence via the outside rear view mirror indicator.
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of the detection area extends to:
Approximately 3.5 m (11.5 ft.)
from the side of the vehicle
The first 0.5 m (1.6 ft.) from the
side of the vehicle is not in the
detection area
Approximately 3 m (9.8 ft.) from
the rear bumper
Approximately 1 m (3.3 ft.) for-
ward of the rear bumper
The Blind Spot Monitor function
The Blind Spot Monitor function detection areas
IO55PH029
1
2
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Page 445 of 818
4435-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
5
Driving
The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert functions when your vehicle is in
reverse. It can detect other vehicles approaching from the right or left
rear of the vehicle. It uses radar sensors to alert the driver of the other
vehicle’s existence through flashing the outside rear view mirror indi-
cators and sounding a buzzer.
The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function
IO55PH087
Approaching vehicles Detection areas
WARNING
■ Cautions regarding the use of the system
There is a limit to the degree of recognition accuracy and control perfor-
mance that this system can provide, do not overly rely on this system. The
driver is always responsible for paying attention to the vehicle’s surround-
ings and driving safely. ( P. 440)
■ To ensure the system can operate properly
P. 438
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Page 485 of 818

4835-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
5
Driving
When a beep sounds once
and the stop display ( P. 477)
is shown on the display, stop
the vehicle.
Change the shift position to D.
Assume an ordinary driving posture, rest your hands lightly on
the steering wheel without applying any force, directly confirm
the safety of the area to the front and around the vehicle and
slowly proceed forward while adjusting your speed by depressing
the brake pedal.
When a beep sounds once and the stop display ( P. 4 7 7 ) i s
shown on the display, stop the vehicle.
Change the shift position to R.
Assume an ordinary posture for backing up, rest your hands
lightly on the steering wheel without applying any force, directly
confirm the safety of the area to the rear and around the vehicle
and slowly back up while adjusting your speed by depressing the
brake pedal.
Depending on the condition of the parking space, steps to may
need to be repeated.
When the vehicle is almost entirely within the target parking spot,
a high-pitched beep is emitted and the stop display is shown on
the display, stop the vehicle.
This completes the parallel parking assist mode.
● After stopping, feel free to maneuver the vehicle to reach the
desired parking spot.
● Be sure to back up while checking the area to the front and
rear of the vehicle directly and by using the mirrors.
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