Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (2023 year). Manual in english - page 21

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

This system allows the headlights and front position lights to be turned
on for 30 seconds when the power switch is off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it with the light switch in

the 

 position after turning

the power switch off.

Pull the lever toward you and
release it again to turn off the
lights.

■

Daytime running light system

To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving, the
daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system is
started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch in the

 position. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.

■

Headlight control sensor

Extended Headlight Lighting system

IO53PH031

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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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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■

Automatic light off system 

●

When the light switch is in the 

 

or 

 

position: The headlights turn

off automatically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or
turned off.

●

When the light switch is in the 

 position: The headlights and all lights

turn off automatically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or
turned off.

To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light

switch to the 

 position once and then back to the 

 

or 

 

posi-

tion.

■

Automatic headlight leveling system

The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the
headlights do not interfere with other road users.

■

Light reminder buzzer

A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off and the driver’s door is
opened while the lights are turned on.

■

12-volt battery-saving function

In order to prevent the vehicle 12-volt battery from discharging, if the light

switch is in the 

 position when the power switch turned off the 12-volt

battery saving function will operate and automatically turn off all the lights
after approximately 20 minutes.
When any of the following are performed, the 12-volt battery-saving function
is canceled once and then reactivated. All the lights will turn off automatically
20 minutes after the 12-volt battery-saving function has been reactivated:

●

When the headlight switch is operated

●

When a door is opened or closed

■

If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display

The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any autho-
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

■

Customization

Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. 
(Customizable features: 



P. 726)

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

NOTICE

■

To prevent 12-volt battery discharge

Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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AHS (Adaptive High-beam System)

●

Adjusts the brightness and illuminated area of the high beams
according to the vehicle speed.

●

Operates the variable high
beams so that the area around
vehicles ahead is partially not
illuminated while all other areas
continue to be illuminated with
the high beams.

The variable high beams help opti-
mize forward visibility while reduc-
ing the dazzling effect on the
drivers of vehicles ahead.

●

Adjusts the intensity of the high beams, while driving on a curve, so
that the area in the direction that the vehicle is turning will be illumi-
nated more brightly than other areas.

●

Adjusts the distance that the low beams are projected according to
the distance to a preceding vehicle.

The Adaptive High-beam System uses a front camera located
behind the upper portion of the windshield to assess the bright-
ness of the lights of vehicles ahead, streetlights, etc., and auto-
matically controls the headlight light distribution as necessary.

Illuminated area of the high beams

Illuminated area of the low beams

WARNING

■

Limitations of the Adaptive High-beam System

Do not rely on the Adaptive High-beam System. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings and turning the high beam on or off man-
ually if necessary.

■

To prevent incorrect operation of the Adaptive High-beam system

Do not overload the vehicle.

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

Push the lever away from you
with the headlight switch in the

 or 

 position.

Press the Adaptive High-beam
System switch.

The Adaptive High-beam System
indicator will come on when the
headlights are turned on automati-
cally to indicate that the system is
active.

Activating the Adaptive High-beam System

IO53PH033

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2

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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■

Switching to low beam

Pull the lever to the original
position.

The Adaptive High-beam Sys-
tem

 

indicator will turn off.

Push the lever away from you to
activate the Adaptive High-
beam System again.

■

Switching to high beam

Press the Adaptive High-beam
System switch.

The Adaptive High-beam Sys-
tem indicator will turn off and the
high beam indicator will turn on.
Press the switch to activate the
Adaptive High-beam System
again.

Turning the high beam on/off manually

IO53PH031

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

■

Conditions in which the light distribution control of the headlights
changes automatically

●

When all of the following conditions are met, the high beams will be turned
on automatically and the system will operate:
• The vehicle speed is approximately 60 km/h (37 mph) or more.

*

*

: The area in the direction that the vehicle is turning will be illuminated more

brightly than other areas while driving on a curve.

●

When all of the following conditions are met, the variable high beams will
turn on and the distance that the low beams are projected will be adjusted
automatically, depending on the location of vehicles ahead:
• The vehicle speed is approximately 60 km/h (37 mph) or more.
• There are vehicles ahead with headlights or tail lights turned on.
• The area ahead of the vehicle is dark.

●

If any of the following conditions is met, the high beams or variable high
beams will be changed to the low beams automatically:
• The vehicle speed is below approximately 40 km/h (25 mph).
• The area ahead of the vehicle is not dark.
• There are many vehicles ahead.
• Vehicles ahead are moving quickly and the high beams may blind the

drivers of the other vehicles.

■

Front camera detection information

●

The high beams may not be automatically changed to the variable high
beams in the following situations:
• When vehicles ahead suddenly appear from a curve
• When the vehicle is cut in front of by another vehicle
• When vehicles ahead are hidden from sight due to repeated curves, road

dividers or roadside trees

• When vehicles ahead appear from the faraway lane on wide road
• When vehicles ahead have no lights

●

The high beams may be changed to the variable high beams if a vehicle
ahead that is using fog lights without its headlights turned on is detected.

●

House lights, street lights, traffic signals, and illuminated billboards or signs
may cause the high beams to change to the variable high beams, cause the
high beams not to change to the variable high beams, or change the area
that is not illuminated.

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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●

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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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

■

If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display

The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any autho-
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

■

Customization

Some functions can be customized. (Customizable features: 



P. 726)

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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Fog light switch

Turns the front and

rear fog lights off

Turns the front fog

lights on

Turns both front and

rear fog lights on 

Releasing the switch ring returns it

to .

Operating the switch ring again turns only the rear fog lights off.

■

Fog lights can be used when

Front fog lights: The front position lights are turned on.
Rear fog lights: The front fog lights are turned on.

The fog lights offer improved visibility in difficult driving condi-
tions, such as in rain and fog.

Operating instructions

IO53PH036

1

2

3

NOTICE

■

To prevent 12-volt battery discharge

Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.

348

5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

Windshield wipers and washer

Operating the 

 lever operates the wipers or washer as follows.

Off

Rain-sensing operation

Low speed operation

High speed operation

Temporary operation 

When 

 is selected, the wipers

will operate automatically when the
sensor detects falling rain. The
system automatically adjusts wiper
timing in accordance with rain vol-
ume and vehicle speed. 

The sensor sensitivity can be adjusted when 

 is selected.

Increases the sensitivity
Decreases the sensitivity

Operating the wiper lever

IO53PH037

1

2

3

4

5

6
7

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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Washer/wiper dual
operation

Pulling the lever operates the wip-
ers and washer.
The wipers will automatically oper-
ate a couple of times after the
washer squirts.

■

The windshield wipers and washer can be operated when

The power switch is in ON mode.

■

Dripping prevention wiper sweep

After washing and wiping operation several times, the wipers operate one
more time after a short delay to prevent dripping. However, this function will
not operate while driving.

■

Raindrop sensor

●

If the wiper switch is turned to the 

 position while the power switch is in

ON mode, the wipers will operate once to show that AUTO mode is acti-
vated.

●

If the wiper sensitivity is adjusted to higher, the wiper may operate once to
indicate the change of sensitivity.

●

If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 85



C (185



F) or higher, or -15



C

(5°F) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate the
wipers in any mode other than AUTO mode.

■

If no windshield washer fluid sprays

Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the
washer fluid tank.

■

Customization

Settings of AUTO mode operation can be changed. (Customizable features:



P. 726)

8

●

The raindrop sensor judges the amount
of raindrops. 
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are
present on the windshield.

IO53PH040

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

WARNING

■

Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in AUTO mode

The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subject to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care that your fin-
gers etc. do not become caught in the windshield wipers.

■

Caution regarding the use of washer fluid

When it is cold, do not use the washer fluid until the windshield becomes
warm. The fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause low visibility. This
may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.

NOTICE

■

When the windshield is dry

Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.

■

When the washer fluid tank is empty

Do not operate the switch continually as the washer fluid pump may over-
heat.

■

When a nozzle becomes blocked

In this case, contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.

■

To prevent 12-volt battery discharge

Do not leave the wipers on longer than necessary when the hybrid system
is off.

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5-4. Refueling

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Opening the fuel tank cap

●

Turn the power switch off and ensure that all the doors and win-
dows are closed.

●

Confirm the type of fuel.

■

Fuel types



P. 724

■

Fuel tank opening for unleaded gasoline

To help prevent incorrect fueling, your vehicle has a fuel tank opening that
only accommodates the special nozzle on unleaded fuel pumps.

Perform the following steps to open the fuel tank cap:

Before refueling the vehicle

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5-4. Refueling

WARNING

■

When refueling the vehicle

Observe the following precautions while refueling the vehicle. Failure to do
so may result in death or serious injury.

●

After exiting the vehicle and before opening the fuel door, touch an
unpainted metal surface to discharge any static electricity. It is important to
discharge static electricity before refueling because sparks resulting from
static electricity can cause fuel vapors to ignite while refueling.

●

Always hold the grips on the fuel tank cap and turn it slowly to remove it. 
A whooshing sound may be heard when the fuel tank cap is loosened.
Wait until the sound cannot be heard before fully removing the cap. In hot
weather, pressurized fuel may spray out of the filler neck and cause injury.

●

Do not allow anyone that has not discharged static electricity from their
body to come close to an open fuel tank.

●

Do not inhale vaporized fuel.
Fuel contains substances that are harmful if inhaled.

●

Do not smoke while refueling the vehicle.
Doing so may cause the fuel to ignite and cause a fire.

●

Do not return to the vehicle or touch any person or object that is statically
charged.
This may cause static electricity to build up, resulting in a possible ignition
hazard.

■

When refueling

Observe the following precautions to prevent fuel overflowing from the fuel
tank:

●

Securely insert the fuel nozzle into the fuel filler neck.

●

Stop filling the tank after the fuel nozzle automatically clicks off.

●

Do not top off the fuel tank.

NOTICE

■

Refueling

Do not spill fuel during refueling. 
Doing so may damage the vehicle, such as causing the emission control
system to operate abnormally or damaging fuel system components or the
vehicle’s painted surface.

■

Notice about fuel



P. 104

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Press the opener to open the
fuel filler door.

Turn the fuel tank cap slowly to
open and hang it on the back of
the fuel filler door.

■

When the fuel filler door cannot be opened by pressing the inside switch

Opening the fuel tank cap

1

2

Open the back door and remove the
cover underneath the luggage compart-
ment light.

Pull the lever backward and check that
the fuel lid opens.

1

2