Page 128 of 497

128 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid sys-
tem operating. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator
pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● The driver should pay attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is pow-
ered only by the electric motor (traction motor). Because there is no
engine noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or st op the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. This may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving
position, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the hybrid system to stall or lead to poor brake and
steering performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.\
Page 129 of 497

129
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
●
If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the trunk is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can
cause driver drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a serious
health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immedi-
ately.
● Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to P or R while the
vehicle is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission system and
may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause insufficient engine braking and lead to an accident.
● Do not turn the hybrid system off while driving.
The power steering and brake systems will not operate properly if the
hybrid system is off.
● Use engine braking to maintain a safe speed when driving down a steep
hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 140)
● When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
Page 130 of 497

130 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
● Sudden changes in braking force, such as engine braking and regenera-
tive braking caused by shifting the shift lever to the B position, may cause
the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the hybrid system is operating
to prevent an accident caused by the vehicle moving.
Page 134 of 497
134 2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
system transaxle, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
Page 135 of 497
135
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic
key on your person starts the hybr id system or changes “POWER”
switch modes.
■ Starting the hybrid system
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “POWER” switch indicator turns green. If the indicator does
not turn green, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system can be
started from any mode.
After a while, the “READY”
indicator comes on with a beep
sound.
The vehicle can move when
the “READY” indicator is on
even if the engine is stopped.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
Page 138 of 497

138 2-1. Driving procedures
■When the electronic key battery is discharged
P. 370
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 4 1
■ Note for the smart key system
P. 4 3
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver's seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any cir-
cumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehi-
cle, push and hold the “POWER” switch for more than 3 seconds.
However, do not touch the “POWER” switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. If the hybrid system stops while the vehicle is being driven, this could
lead to an unexpected accident.
NOTICE
■To prevent the 12-volt battery from being discharged
Do not leave the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long
periods without the hybrid system on.
■ When starting the hybrid system
●Do not race a cold engine.
● If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have the hybrid system
checked immediately.
Page 140 of 497
140 2-1. Driving procedures
■When in heavy traffic
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid putting the shift
lever in N for an extended period of time.
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 429
■ Shift position uses
Shift positionFunction
P Parking the vehicle or starting the hybrid system
R Reversing
N Neutral
D Normal driving B Position for engine braking
Page 144 of 497
144
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The following gauges, meters and displays illuminate when the
“POWER” switch is in ON mode.Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
Fuel economy meter
Displays the current fuel consumption in analog form when the hybrid
system is operating.
When only the electric motor (traction motor) powers the vehicle, the
needle indicates “E-MODE”.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Odometer/trip meter/instrument p anel light control and trip meter
reset button
Switches between odometer and trip meter. Pushing and holding the
button when the trip meter is being displayed will reset the trip meter.
Instrument panel light control: P. 145
Multi-information display
P. 150