Toyota 2006 Prius Owner's Manual page 326

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.
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
increase.
326
ANTI−LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
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.
Effective way to press the ABS brake
pedal: When the anti−lock brake system
function is in action, the slip indicator in
the instrument cluster flashes and you
will 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
performance.
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
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery
road surfaces such as on a manhole cov-
er, a steel plate at a construction site,
joints in a bridge, etc. on a rainy day
tends to activate the anti−lock brake sys-
tem.
When the anti−lock brake system is ac-
tivated, the following condition may oc-
cur. They do not indicate a malfunction
of the system:
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You may hear the anti−lock brake sys-
tem operating and the vibrations of the
vehicle body and steering wheel. You
may also hear the motor sound in the
engine compartment even after the ve-
hicle is stopped.