Toyota PRIUS 2008 User manual

2008
Quick Reference Guide
POWERED
BY

!A word about safe vehicle operations
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.
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.
2008
Prius

1
OVERVIEWBASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
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
1
5
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
®
)
2
17
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 Programmable by customer. For dealer-programmable
features, please visit your Toyota dealer.
2 HomeLink® is a registered trademark of Johnson Controls, Inc.

2
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.

3
OVERVIEWBASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
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
Master key
Mechanical key*
Ignition key
(key fob) slot
* Lock/Unlock the driver’s door only
Slide
Pull out

4
BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION
Locking operation
Front door Rear hatch
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.
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

5
OVERVIEWBASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
Smart Key unlock functions (if equipped)
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.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more information
on this feature, and how to change modes.
Smart Key system cancel switch
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.
ON OFF
Push

6
BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION
Panic button
Push and hold
Keyless entry
Locking operation
Unlocking operation
NOTE: After unlocking, if a door is not opened within
30 seconds, all doors will relock for safety.
Push
Push ONCE: Driver door
TWICE: All doors

BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION
7
OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
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.
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.
Turning the Hybrid System ON
Changing operation modes
Pressing “POWER” without depressing the brake
pedal while the Hybrid System is OFF will change
the operation mode in succession from:
Start function
ACCESSORY
ON
OFF
Accessories such as the radio
will operate.
Ignition is on; Hybrid System is not
engaged.
All systems OFF.

8
BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION
Shifting
Park button
Shift lever
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.).
Park button
Reverse (buzzer sounds)
Neutral
Drive
Engine brake
Shift position
*

9
OVERVIEWBASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
When the vehicle is at a complete stop, keep
brake pedal depressed and push Park button
above the shift lever.
Push the “POWER” button to turn off the system.
Fully depress the parking brake.
Remove the key fob if inserted.*
Information
In some instances when the engine starts, and/or on a
short trip after the engine is stopped, the engine
water pump may continue operating for a short time.
This is a standard operation of the vehicle to ensure
optimum performance and shouldn’t be a concern.
WARNING: If the “POWER” button is held for longer
than three seconds while the vehicle is moving, the
Hybrid System will shut off.
* It is not necessary to insert the ignition key (key
fob) if Smart Key system is installed and activated.
Parking & turning OFF the Hybrid System

10
OVERVIEW
Headlight, turn signal and front fog light1controls
Wiper and washer controls
“POWER” button
Clock
“AUDIO” switch (multi-information display control)
“CLIMATE” switch (multi-information display control)
Multi-information display
“DISPLAY” switch (multi-information display control)
“INFO” switch (multi-information display control)
Mph or km/h button
Trip meter reset
Emergency flasher button
Instrument panel

11
OVERVIEWBASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
Audio system
12V DC Power outlet
Park button
Electronic shift lever
Ignition key (key fob) slot
Cruise control1
Tire Pressure Warning System reset
Smart Key system cancel1
Steering wheel climate control
Instrument panel light control
Steering wheel audio control
1 If equipped
2For details, refer to the Navigation System
Owner’s Manual.
With navigation system1, 2
Without navigation system

12
OVERVIEW
Low engine oil pressure warning1
Service indicators and reminder
Speedometer
Fuel gauge
Odometer and two trip meters
Instrument cluster
Driver seat belt reminder1
(alarm will sound if speed is over 12 mph)
Front passenger seat belt reminder1
(alarm will sound if speed is over 12 mph)
Brake system warning1
Charging system warning1
Low fuel level indicator1
Malfunction/Check Engine indicator1
Indicator symbols
Master warning1
High coolant temperature warning1
Open door warning1
Airbag SRS warning1
1For details, refer to “Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers-- --
Instrument cluster” Section 5-2, 2008 Owner’s Manual.
2If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” Section 2-4, 2008 Owner’s Manual.
Engine oil replacement reminder1
Vehicle Stability Control warning1
Traction battery warning1
Low Tire Pressure Warning1

BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION
13
OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
Headlight indicator
Anti-lock Brake System warning1
3For details, refer to “Transmission” Section 2-1, 2008 Owner’s Manual.
Driving ready light
Turn signal indicator
Headlight high beam indicator
Cruise control indicator2
Slip indicator
Hybrid System warning1
Electric power steering system
warning1
Smart Key system warning1
Automatic headlight leveling system warning1
Running mode position indicator3
Automatic Air Conditioner indicator
Recirculate mode indicator
Windshield airflow indicator
Rear window and outside rearview mirror
defoggers indicator
Hybrid vehicle immobilizer/Theft deterrent
system indicator
Front passenger occupant classification
indicator

14
Rear hatch
Pull
NOTE: Tighten until one click is heard. If the cap is
not tightened enough, Check Engine “ ” indicator
may illuminate.
NOTE: MAINTAIN GASOLINE IN THE TANK AT ALL
TIMES. SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE HYBRID
SYSTEM CAN OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE RUNS
OUT OF GASOLINE.
Fuel tank door opener and cap
Tu r n
Driver seat Pull up
Store
OVERVIEW
To open the rear hatch, grasp the handle and pull up.
Light control-Instrument panel
Brightness
control
+
-

BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION
15
OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
Hood release
Engine maintenance
Windshield washer fluid tank
Engine oil filler cap
Engine coolant reservoir
Engine oil level dipstick
Note: Regularly scheduled maintenance, including
oil changes, will help extend the life of
your vehicle and maintain performance.
Please refer to the “Owner’s Warranty
Information Booklet,” “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual
Supplement.”
Pull up latch and
raise hood
Pull

16
FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Lights & turn signals
Headlights
-Automatic light cutoff system Automatically turns
off lights when the driver’s door is opened with the
Hybrid System “OFF.”
* If equipped
Turn signals
Front fog lights (if equipped)
Front fog lights come on only when the headlights
are on low beam.
TUA O
AUTO
Low beam
AUTO*
Head lights
High beam
High beam flasher
Parking light
Tu r n
TUAO
Right turn
Left turn
Lane change
Lane change

Garage door opener (HomeLink®)
(if equipped)
Indicator
Buttons
Garage door openers manufactured under license
from HomeLink®* can be programmed to operate
garage doors, estate gates, security lighting, etc.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details.
For programming assistance, contact the Toyota
Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331, or
visit http://www.homelink.com
* HomeLink®is a registered trademark of Johnson Controls, Inc.
BASIC HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
Window wipers & washers
Front
Rear
17
Wash and wipe
Wash and wipe
Interval wipe
Wipe
Adjust interval
Single wipe
Interval wipe
Slow
Fast
Pull to wash and wipe

18
FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Seats-Head restraints
Lock release button
Seat adjustments-Front
Seat adjustments-Rear
Lock release button
Front Rear
Position
(2) Fold down
(1) Push down
Seatback angle