Toyota Prius 2008 Quick Reference Guide

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BY

2008

Quick Reference Guide

2008
Prius

This Quick Reference Guide is a summary of
basic vehicle operations. It contains brief
descriptions of fundamental operations so you
can locate and use the vehicle’s main
equipment quickly and easily.

The Quick Reference Guide is not intended as
a substitute for the Owner’s Manual located
in the vehicle’s glove box. We strongly
encourage you to review the Owner’s Manual
and supplementary manuals so you will have
a better understanding of the vehicle’s
capabilities and limitations.

Your dealership and the entire staff of Toyota
Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. wish you many years
of satisfied driving in your new Prius.

A word about safe vehicle operations

!

This Quick Reference Guide is not a full
description of Prius operations. Every
Prius owner should review the Owner’s
Manual that accompanies this vehicle.

Pay special attention to the boxed
information highlighted in yellow
throughout the Owner’s Manual. Each box
contains safe operating instructions to
help you avoid injury or equipment
malfunction.

All information in this Quick Reference
Guide is current at the time of printing.
Toyota reserves the right to make changes
at any time without notice.

INDEX

Item Page no.

BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION

Hybrid Synergy Drive System 2
Keyless entry 6
Key fob 3
Parking & turning OFF the Hybrid System 9
Shifting 8
Smart Key system 4-5

Smart Key unlock functions

Turning the Hybrid System ON 7

OVERVIEW

Engine maintenance 15
Fuel tank door opener and cap 14
Hood release 15
Indicator symbols 12-13
Instrument cluster 12
Instrument panel 10-11
Light control-Instrument panel 14
Rear hatch 14

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Air Conditioning/Heating 20-21
Audio 22-23
Clock 25
Cruise control 21
Cup and bottle holders 25
Garage door opener (HomeLink®)
Lights & turn signals 16
Luggage storage box 24
Parking brake 25
Power outlets 25
Seat adjustments-Front 18
Seat adjustments-Rear 18
Seats-Head restraints 18
Telephone controls (Bluetooth®) 24
Tilt steering wheel 19
Window wipers & washers 17
Windows 19

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Door locks 26
Doors-Child safety locks 26
Emergency flashers 27
Jump starting 28
Rear air vent 27
Seat belts 26
Seat belts-Shoulder belt anchor 26
Spare tire & tools 29
Tire Pressure Warning System 27

1

2

5

OVERVIEWBASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

17

1

Programmable by customer. For dealer-programmable

features, please visit your Toyota dealer.

2

HomeLink® is a registered trademark of Johnson Controls, Inc.

1

BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE
OPERATION

Hybrid Synergy Drive System

The Hybrid Synergy Drive System utilizes a computer
controlled gasoline engine and electric motor to
provide the most efficient combination of power for
the vehicle. To conserve energy, when the brakes
are applied, braking force generates electricity
which is then sent to the traction battery. In
addition, the engine shuts off when the vehicle is
stopped. The benefits are better fuel economy,
reduced vehicle emissions and improved
performance.

Note: Fuel consumption and energy information

of the Hybrid System are shown on the
multi-information display. Refer to this
screen for important driving information
and feedback to maximize energy
use/creation and conserve fuel.

Tips for improved fuel economy

-Ensure tire pressures are maintained at levels
specified in the Owner's Manual.

-If possible, link trips to reduce engine cold starts.

-Avoid driving at speeds that are higher than
necessary, especially on the highway.

-When possible, avoid sudden stops to maximize
regenerative braking energy.

-Minimize use of the Air Conditioning.

Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details.

2

Key fob

Master key

Ignition key

Mechanical key

* Lock/Unlock the driver’s door only

*

Slide

Pull out

Master key Ignition key & wireless remote.
Mechanical key Fits into master key and can be

removed to manually lock/unlock driver door only.
Ignition key slot When inserting, push completely
in. When removing, gently pull; key will be pushed
out by a spring. DO NOT FORCE THE KEY. If it
cannot be removed, push it all the way in again,
then pull it out.
To remove or replace mechanical key Slide the
lock knob in the direction of the arrow.

(key fob) slot

OVERVIEWBASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

3

BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION

Smart Key system (if equipped)

Carrying a Smart Key allows the vehicle to be
locked, unlocked and the Hybrid System engaged
without handling the key.

Locking operation

Front door

Rear hatch

Push

Push

Unlocking operation

Front door

NOTE: After unlocking, if a door is not opened

within 30 seconds, all doors will relock for safety.
Refer to your Owner’s Manual and the following
section of this guide for Smart Key unlocking
programmable options.

Rear hatch

4

Smart Key system cancel switch

Push

ON

OFF

NOTE: To conserve battery power, turn the Smart Key

system “OFF” when not using the vehicle for prolonged
periods of time. For more battery saving information,
refer to the

Owner’s Manual for more details.

OVERVIEWBASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Smart Key unlock functions

The Smart Key unlocking function can be
programmed to operate in three different modes
when Smart Key is activated. In all modes, grasping
the front passenger door handle will unlock all
doors.

-To unlock driver side door only, grasp driver side
handle.

-To unlock all doors, grasp any door handle except
rear doors.

-To unlock driver side door or hatch independently,
grasp the handle.

(if equipped)

Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more information
on this feature, and how to change modes.

5

BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION

Keyless entry

Locking operation

Push

Unlocking operation

Push ONCE: Driver door

TWICE: All doors

NOTE: After unlocking, if a door is not opened within

30 seconds, all doors will relock for safety.

Panic button

Push and hold

6

Turning the Hybrid System ON

Start function

Insert key.*
Depress the brake pedal and push the “POWER”
button briefly and firmly.
The “READY” light will blink. After a few
seconds, when the light remains ON and a beep
sounds, you may begin driving.

BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Note: The brake pedal must be depressed to turn
the Hybrid System on.

* It is not necessary to insert the ignition key (key

fob) if Smart Key system is installed and activated.

Changing operation modes

Pressing “POWER” without depressing the brake
pedal while the Hybrid System is OFF will change
the operation mode in succession from:

ACCESSORY

ON

OFF

Accessories such as the radio
will operate.

Ignition is on; Hybrid System is not
engaged.

All systems OFF.

7

BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION

Shifting

Park button

Shift position

Shift lever

Park button

Reverse (buzzer sounds)

Neutral

Drive

Engine brake

Brake pedal must be depressed when shifting to or
from the Park position. If brake is not applied, a
beep will sound and the vehicle cannot be shifted.

NOTE: The shift lever will always return to its
original position after shifting. ALWAYS CONFIRM

SHIFT POSITION BY CHECKING INDICATOR SYMBOLS
ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.

* The engine brake is the equivalent of downshifting.

Shift to “B” when engine braking is desired (i.e.
downhill driving, coasting to a stop, etc.).

8

*