2010 TOYOTA PRIUS brake switch

162
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “POWER” switch indicator turns green.
Press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system can be
started from any mode.
After a few seconds, 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
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STEP3

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Stopping the hybrid system
Stop the vehicle.
Press the “POWER” switch.
Check that the shift position indicator on the instrument
cluster is set in “P”.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 181)
Release the brake pedal and check that the indicator on the
“POWER” switch is off.
If you stop the hybrid system without setting the shift position to
“P”, the shift position will be shifted to “P” automatically. You can
also shift the shift position to “P” by pressing the “P” position
switch.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

164 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Changing “POWER” switch mode
Modes can be changed by pressi ng the “POWER” switch with
the brake pedal released. (The mode changes each time the
switch is pressed.)
OFF
Emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.
ON mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.
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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
If the hybrid system does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. 
( P. 108)
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the “POWER”
switch with the shift position in “P” and the brake pedal pressed, contact your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ When the “POWER” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Auto power OFF function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY or ON mode (hybrid system is not oper-
ating) for more than an hour with the shift position in “P”, the “POWER”
switch will automatically turn OFF. However, this function cannot entirely pre-
vent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the “POWER” switch in
ACCESSORY or ON mode for long perio ds of time when the hybrid system
is not operating.
■ Operation of the “POWER” switch
● When operating the “POWER” switch, one short, firm press is enough. If
the switch is pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the
“POWER” switch mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and
hold the switch.
● Even if the “POWER” switch is turned to off and then quickly re-pressed,
the “POWER” switch mode may not change. After turning the “POWER”
switch to off, wait for a short time before operating again.

166 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■When leaving the vehicle
If the indicator on the “POWER” switch is not off, the “POWER” switch is still
not in OFF mode. 
Turn the “POWER” switch to OFF before you leave the vehicle.
■ Auto “P” position function
● If the “POWER” switch is pressed while the hybrid system is operating
and the vehicle is at a complete stop, the shift position will be automati-
cally switched to “P” at the same ti me as the “POWER” switch is turned
to OFF. 
When turning the “POWER” switch to OFF while the shift position is not
set to “P”, operate the “POWER” switch while pushing down fully on the
brake pedal. Then, release the brake pedal after confirming that the shift
position indicator on the instrument cluster is set in “P”.
● If the auto “P” position function is malfunctioning, it may not be possible
to turn the “POWER” switch to OFF. In this event, the “POWER” switch
can be turned to OFF after applying the parking brake. 
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ When the ambient temperature is lo w, such as during winter driving
conditions
It may take time until the “READY” indicator comes on.
■ Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
 P. 3 1
■ When the hybrid system is malfunctioning
 P. 497
■ Electronic key battery depletion
 P. 6 4
■ When the electronic key battery is discharged
 P. 460
■ Conditions affecting operation
 P. 6 5

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Note for the entry function
 P. 50, 59
■ Leak detection pump
Several hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear a sound coming
from underneath the luggage compartment for several minutes. 
This is normal operation and does not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
■ When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press
the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circum-
stances. 
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. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will \
be lost.
This will make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over
and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■ To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Do not leave the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long
periods if the hybrid system is not operating.
■ When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the 12
volt battery and electronic key battery checked immediately.

174 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Changing shift ranges to “P” positionPush the “P” position switch with
the brake pedal pressed down.
The “P” position icon is displayed
on the instrument cluster, and the
indicator on the “P” position
switch comes on.
You can only shift to other posi-
tions from “P” when the brake
pedal is depressed.
When parking, check that the “P”
position icon is displayed on the
instrument cluster, and release
the brake pedal gently after
applying the parking brake.
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■Using engine brake
To use the engine braking, shift the shift lever to “B” position.
● During high speed driving, you may feel that deceleration by engine brak-
ing is less than that of a typical vehicle.
● Do not continue normal driving with the transmission in “B” for a long
time.
This may cause decreased fuel economy. To prevent this, use “D” for
normal driving.

176 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Alarms
The following table describes circumstances and correction procedures
when only alarms sound.
AlarmSituationCorrection procedure
Interior alarm sounds once The driver attempts to shift
out of the “P” position with-
out pressing the brake
pedal.
The transmission will
not move out of the “P”
position. Press the
brake pedal before
attempting to shift
again.
The “P” position switch is
pressed while the vehicle
is moving.
The transmission will
automatically be set to
the “N” position. Select
the appropriate posi-
tion.
The driver attempts to shift
to the “R” position while the
vehicle is in forward
motion.
The driver attempts to shift
to the “D” position while the
vehicle is in rearward
motion.
The driver attempts to
select the “B” position
while in a shift position
other than “D” and “P”.
The driver attempts to
select the “B” position
while in the “P” position.
The transmission will
not move out of the “P”
position.