New V with defective panel dimmer and ???

You need the Adv. Tech Pkg (ATP) for PCS and everything else they bundled in that package.

Oh, I see you have ATP. Make sure you have ATP on the window sticker and double check the VIN. Maybe they gave you the wrong vehicle?

I went looking in my v for the buttons. You really have to stick your head in under the panel behind the steering wheel and look up. They are pretty far back there, but I did find two buttons. One for resetting tire pressure setting and the PCS on/off. Both are clearly labeled if you can get your head all the way back there.

Defiantly have the dealer look into the dimmer dial.

 

I also can't find the PCS switch and I have the ATP. There are four switches to the left,low down, by the steering wheel. Headlight washer, parking assist, dimmer and a blank. I looked under the steering wheel with a flash light and I can't find a PCS switch either. Be interested in what the dealer tells you.

 

After I posted I reread Chazz38. If you locate the floor illumination light (amber) and go under the dash about two inches straight back from the lamp, there are the two switches (PCS and Tire Pressure reset).

 

Yeah, DAVEJAN. I'm glad you found it.

I also thought of the TIre Pressure restet swtich/button as shown on page 390 of the User Manual. I think all Prius v have the TIre Pressure restet swtich/button.

So tanasit, find that button and look for your PCS On/Off. I hope this helps you tanasit.

 

Time you would turn PCS off would be if you don't want the system to cinch your seatbelts and apply the brakes. According to a video, the PCS system will cinch in the seatbelts and apply more power to brakes when you have not tried to prevent a collision and in cases of collision is imminent. I would also hazard to guess that it would be an override should the system be locked in that situation or it is a reset, as it is stated it goes off that state when you put the car in brake after the situation.

As for having it on, it should be on initially, and if not, should be turned on more as a precautionary, as it will help in situations such as giving a warning if collision is possibly imminent, as well as allow the passengers to have their seatbelts secured for the possible collision. The braking system is also given extra 'power' in case you aren't applying the brakes to slow down the car enough or at least help reduce the momentum to make the collision have less energy upon impact.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience at the dealer.

Quote fron tanasit
"My question is when do we turn the PCS on and why do have to turn it off?"

I wanted to take a stab at answering the 2nd part of your question. I think the only reason to turn off the PCS would be if you didn't trust the system and were afraid that it would hurt you instead of save you. I have not heard anything to make me even suspect that the PCS would do anything but save you. I think it would take a near phobia of technology to turn the PCS off, or some weird personal experience.

I just thought of another reason to turn the PCS off. If it malfunctioned and was acting like it could hurt you. Very very unlikely, but a good reason to turn PCS off until a technician could take a look at it.

 

I also can't find the PCS switch and I have the ATP.

 

Read Post #4 in this thread. Generally, you don't need to mess with that switch unless you want to disable that feature out of not caring for your safety or if it is malfunctioning.

 

From the animation explanation videos, it seems that it will not trigger automatic braking until it detects/calculates that you are in an unavoidable collision and try to lessen the impact. It will warn you a little earlier, before the collision is unavoidable or highly probable.

I would just trust that it works, drive to avoid triggering it and enjoy the ride.

 

The other thing is it kicks in when you are at a sufficient speed that you will collide unless you don't do something. And if you still don't do anything, it will try to put on the brakes, but this will not prevent the crash still, but will try to lessen the energy of the collision as much as it can.

 

Based on my observation, the dimmer switch works in conjunction with the light sensor. The Dimmer switch does not seem to work during daytime, but try it at night time and it works just fine.

 

Please dont try running up on some one to test this. If you are going fast enough for the system to work you will feel it just before you crash.
I had a great instructor for my Prius new model class I dont think all of the instructors did this but we were able to feel it. We used one of those reflective sunshades for the inside of a car rolled loosely so it was about 18" around. In an OPEN parking lot we stood it up and ran the car into it at I believe 30 mph. Just before it hit the sunshade you could feel the car slow down and the belts tighten. If you were watching from behind the car you could see the brake lights come on also. It is not designed to avoid the crash just lessen the impact. I am not telling you to try this but if you want to feel it this is better than crashing.

 

Agreed... Please never do 'live' testing, as I am sure your insurance, the people you may incidentally hit, and probably your own pocketbook would appreciate the fact that you don't do this.

One of the things mentioned is that even with the safety features involved, this does not mean it excludes you, as the driver, to being responsible in paying attention to what you are doing and also being a defensive driver against people who are more clueless than you when it comes to paying attention.

Failure to do so is not the failure of the car's safety feature, but in the driver.

 

Can someone please confirm that the dash light dimmer switch lights up at night? Can't believe it wouldn't but I guess mine is burned out, although it still dims the dash. V3

 

The dimmer switch it self does NOT light up. The first car I owned that does not have a light on the dimmer switch.

 

Thanks for checking. Makes perfect sense... your in the dark and need to adjust the dash lights and can't find the switch