Get INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA -> Brake system Guide for Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

Iridium−tipped spark plugs

Brake system

For detailed information on oil level check,

see “Checking the engine oil level” on

page 208 in Section 8−2.

REGENERATIVE BRAKE

When the brake is applied, the electric

motor used as a generator converts kinet-

ic energy into electric energy.

The regenerative brake works in the fol-

lowing operations.

1. When the accelerator pedal is re-

leased, the reduced speed equal to en-

gine braking in a gasoline−fueled ve-

hicle is obtained in accordance with the

running mode position of the selector

lever.

2. When the brake pedal is depressed

with the selector lever in “D” or “B”,

the regenerative brake works.

Your engine is fitted with iridium−tipped

spark plugs.

NOTICE

Use only iridium−tipped spark plugs

and do not adjust gaps for your en-

gine performance and smooth drivabil-

ity.

152

HYDRAULIC BRAKE

The brake system warning light may stay

on for about 60 seconds after the ignition

key is turned to the “ON” position. It is

normal if the light turns off after a while.

ANTI−LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM

This brake system has 2 independent hy-

draulic circuits. If either circuit should fail,

the other will still work. However, the ped-

al will be harder to press, and your stop-

ping distance will be longer. Also, the

brake system warning light may come on.

The anti−lock brake system is designed

to automatically help prevent lock−up of

the wheels during a sudden braking or

braking on slippery road surfaces. This

assists in providing directional stability

and steering performance of the vehicle

under these circumstances.

Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly

may turn on the brake system warning

light and buzzer. It is normal if the light

turns off and the buzzer stops sounding

after a few seconds.

CAUTION

Effective way to press the ABS brake

pedal: When the anti−lock brake system

function is in action, you may feel the

brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise.

In this situation, to let the anti−lock

brake system work for you, just hold the

brake pedal down more firmly. Do not

pump the brake in a panic stop. This

will result in reduced braking perfor-

mance.

You may hear a small sound in the engine

compartment after the hybrid system is

started or the brake pedal is depressed

Do not drive your vehicle with only a

single brake system. Have your

brakes fixed immediately.

repeatedly. This is

pump pulsating

sound of the brake system, and it is not

a malfunction.

BRAKE BOOSTER

The brake booster uses brake fluid pres-

surized by the pump to power−assist the

brakes. If the brake booster fails during

driving, the brake system warning light

comes on and buzzer sounds continuous-

ly. In this case, the brakes may not work

properly. If they do not work well, depress

the brake pedal firmly. If the brake system

warning light comes on, immediately stop

your vehicle and contact your Toyota deal-

er.

CAUTION

D Do not pump the brake pedal if the

hybrid system is not operating.

Each push on the pedal uses up

your reserved brake fluid pressure.

The anti−lock brake system becomes op-

erative after the vehicle has accelerated

to a speed in excess of approximately 10

km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the

D Even if the power assist is com-

pletely lost, the brakes will still

work. But you will have to push the

pedal hard, much harder than nor-

mal. And your braking distance will

be longer.

vehicle decelerates to

speed below

approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).

153

Depressing the brake pedal on slippery

road surfaces such as on the manhole

cover, the steel plate under the construc-

tion, joints in the bridge, etc. on a rainy

day tends to activate the anti−lock brake

system.

Anti−lock brake system is not de-

signed to shorten the stopping dis-

tance: Always drive at the moderate

speed and maintain a safe distance

from the vehicle in front of you.

Compared with vehicles without an

anti−lock brake system, your vehicle

CAUTION

Do not overestimate the anti−lock

brake system: Although the anti−lock

brake system assists in providing ve-

hicle control, it is still important to

drive with all due care and maintain

a moderate speed and safe distance

from the vehicle in front of you, be-

cause there are limits to the vehicle

stability and effectiveness of steering

wheel operation even with the anti−

lock brake system on.

You may hear a click or motor sound in

the engine compartment for a few seconds

when the engine is started or just after

the vehicle is started. This means that the

anti−lock brake system is in the self

check mode, and does not indicate a mal-

function.

may require

longer stopping dis-

tance in the following cases:

D Driving on rough, gravel or snow−

covered roads.

D Driving with tire chains installed.

When the anti−lock brake system is ac-

tivated, the following conditions may

occur. They do not indicate a malfunc-

tion of the system:

D Driving over the steps such as the

If tires grip performance exceeds its

capability, or if hydroplaning occurs

during high speed driving in the rain,

the anti−lock brake system does not

provide vehicle control.

joints on the road.

D Driving on roads where the road

surface is pitted or has other differ-

ences in surface height.

D You may hear the anti−lock brake sys-

tem operating and feel the brake pedal

pulsating and the vibrations of the ve-

hicle body and steering wheel. You

may also hear the motor sound in the

engine compartment even after the ve-

hicle is stopped.

Install all 4 tires of specified size at

appropriate pressure: The anti−lock

brake system detects vehicle speeds

using the speed sensors for respec-

tive wheels’ turning speeds. The use

of tires other than specified may fail

to detect the accurate turning speed,

D At the end of the anti−lock brake sys-

tem activation, the brake pedal may

move a little forward.

resulting in

tance.

longer stopping dis-

154

“ABS” warning light

A warning light turning on briefly during

operation does not indicate a problem.

The light comes on when the ignition

key is turned to the “ON” position. If

the anti−lock brake system works prop-

erly, the light turns off after a few sec-

onds. Thereafter, if the system malfunc-

tions, the light comes on again.

CAUTION

If the “ABS” warning light remains on

together with the brake system warn-

ing light, immediately stop your ve-

hicle at a safe place and contact your

Toyota dealer.

30p002a

When the “ABS” warning light is on (and

the brake system warning light is off), the

anti−lock brake system does not operate,

but the brake system still operates con-

ventionally.

In this case, not only the anti−lock

brake system will fail but also the

vehicle will become extremely unsta-

ble during braking.

When the “ABS” warning light is on (and

the brake system warning light is off), the

anti−lock brake system does not operate

so that the wheels could lock up during

a sudden braking or braking on slippery

road surfaces.

Vehicle sold in U.S.A.

Either of the following conditions may

occur, but does not indicate the mal-

function:

D The light may stay on for about 60

seconds after the ignition key is turned

to the “ON” position. It is normal if it

turns off after a while.

If either of the following conditions oc-

curs, this indicates a malfunction some-

where in the parts monitored by the

warning light system. Contact your

Toyota dealer as soon as possible to

service the vehicle.

30p007a

D Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly

may turn on the light. It is normal if

it turns off after a few seconds.

D The light does not come on when the

ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-

tion, or remains on.

D The light comes on while you are driv-

Vehicle sold in Canada

ing.

155

INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA -> Brake system for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

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INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA

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