2010 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual

169
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Situations in which EV-Dri ve Mode cannot be turned on
The followings are examples of situations under which the EV-Drive Mode
may not be turned on. If it cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a
message will be shown on the multi-information display.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is high. 
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high
speeds, etc.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is low. 
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32 F (0 C)
for a long period of time etc.
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low. 
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is
low. ( P. 188)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
■ Automatic cancelation of EV-Drive Mode
When driving in EV-Drive Mode, the gasoline engine may automatically
restart in the following situations. When EV-Drive Mode is canceled, a
buzzer will sound and the EV-Drive Mode indicator will flash and go off.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low. 
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is
low. ( P. 188)
● Vehicle speed becomes high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.

170 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Possible driving distance when driving in EV-Drive Mode
Possible driving distance when driving in EV-Drive Mode is up to about 1/2
mile (1 km) if driven at a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or less. (Possible
driving distance depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and
driving conditions.)
■ Fuel economy
Your Toyota is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during
normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction
motor]). Driving in EV-Drive Mode more than necessary may lower fuel
economy.
CAUTION
■While driving
When driving in EV-Drive Mode, pay special attention to the area around the
vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicy-
cles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle
starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

171
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
You can operate the shift lever only in “D”.
Keep the shift lever in “N” for a while after you shift it to that
position.
The shift lever always returns to this original position after shifting operation.
ITO21P105

172 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Shift position uses
*: Shown only while in “D” position.
■Selecting a driving mode
The following patterns can be selected to suit current driving and
operating conditions.
l
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving
BEngine braking position*

173
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Eco Driving Mode
Use Eco Driving Mode to help achieve low fuel consumption during
trips that involve frequent accelerating and braking.
Press the “ECO MODE” switch once more to cancel the Eco Driving
Mode.
Eco Driving Mode will not be canceled until the “ECO MODE” switch is
pressed, even if the “POWER” switch is turned to OFF.
Press the “PWR MODE” switch to change the driving mode to power
mode.
Power mode
Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable, such as
when driving in mountainous r
egions or when overtaking.
Press the “PWR MODE” switch once more to cancel the power mode.
Turning the “POWER” switch to OFF once will cancel power mode.
Press the “ECO MODE” switch to change the driving mode to Eco Driv\
-
ing Mode.

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.
ITO21P107
■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.

175
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into “R”, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
lever is in “R”.
■ 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.
■ Eco Driving Mode
When the accelerator pedal is depressed in Eco Driving Mode, it may take
more time to accelerate than usual. This is normal operation.
■ If the system malfunctions
The following situations indicate a problem with the system. 
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
● The indicator on the “P” position switch flashes. However, this does not
indicate a malfunction unless a warning message appears in the multi-
information display.
● All frames of the shift position indicators in the instrument cluster flash.
● The parking system error message appears on the multi-information dis-
play.
● The instrument cluster does not come on when the “POWER” switch is in
ON mode.

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.