2010 TOYOTA PRIUS parking brake

160 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
NOTICE
■While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always push the “P” position switch. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle
to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is
accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have your Toyota dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as pos-
sible. 
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or that of the brake discs are exceeded.

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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.
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STEP2
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2-1. Driving procedures
2
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.
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STEP4
STEP5

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

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.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. ( P. 261)
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake. 
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
■ When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, set the parking brake, push the “P” position
switch and make sure that the vehicle does not move.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking
brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
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CanadaU.S.A.

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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Turning on the high beam headlights
With the headlights on, push
the lever forward to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever back to the center
position to turn the high beams
off.
Pull the lever toward you to
turn on the high beams.
Release the lever to turn them off.
You can flash the high beams
with the headlights on or off.
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■Daytime running light system (if equipped)
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on
automatically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the hybrid system is started
and the parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed
for use at night.
■ Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield. 
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight con-
trol system to malfunction.
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243
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Hill-start assist control
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
The system operates in the following situations:
• The shift position is in other than “P”.
• The parking brake is not applied.
• The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
■ Hill-start assist control
● While hill-start assist control is operating, the brakes remain automati-
cally applied after the driver releases the brake pedal. The stop lights and
the high mounted stoplight turn on.
● Hill-start assist control operates for about 2 seconds after the brake pedal
is released.
● If the slip indicator does not flash and the buzzer does not sound when
the brake pedal is further depressed, slightly reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal (do not allow the vehicl e to roll backward) and then firmly
depress it again. If the system still does not operate, check that the oper-
ating conditions explained above have been met.
Hill-start assist control helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards when starting on incline or slippery slope.
To engage hill-start assist con-
trol, further depress the brake
pedal when the vehicle is
stopped completely.
A buzzer will sound once to
indicate the system is acti-
vated. The slip indicator will
also start flashing.
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