Page 123 of 684

123
1-4. Opening, closing and locking the doors
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■
If the smart key system does not operate properly
● Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key. ( P. 591)
● Starting the hybrid system: P. 592
■ Electronic key battery depletion
● The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years.
● If the battery becomes low, an alarm will sound in the cabin when the
hybrid system stops. ( P. 114)
● As the electronic key always receives radio waves, the battery will
become depleted even if the electronic key is not used. The following
symptoms indicate that the electronic key battery may be depleted.
Replace the battery when necessary. ( P. 493)
• The smart key system or the wireless remote control does not operate.
• The detection area becomes smaller.
• The LED indicator on the key surface does not turn on.
● To avoid serious deterioration, do not leave the electronic key within 3 ft.
(1 m) of the following electrical appliances that produce a magnetic field:
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Cellular phones, cordless phones and battery chargers
• Charging cellular phones or cordless phones
• Induction cookers
• Table lamps
■ When the electronic key battery is fully depleted
P. 493
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. smart key system) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 639)
Page 224 of 684
224
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing:
■ Before starting the hybrid system
Check that the charging cable is disconnected. (P. 91)
■ Starting the hybrid system
P. 238
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift position to D.
( P. 245)
Check that the shift position indicator shows D. ( P. 257)
Release the parking brake. (P. 255)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift position in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle will be stopped for an extended period of time,
shift the shift position to P. ( P. 248)
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 1
STEP 2
Page 238 of 684
238
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
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 charging cable is disconnected. (
P. 9 1 )
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Check that the “POWER” switch indicator turns green. If the indi-
cator does not turn green, the hybrid system cannot be started.
When the shift position is N, the hybrid system cannot start. Shift
the shift position to P when starting the hybrid system. ( P. 248)
Press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system can be
started from any “POWER”
switch mode.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the hybrid system is
completely started.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
Page 241 of 684

241
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON
mode (the hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the
shift position in P, the “POWER” switch will automatically turn off. However,
this function cannot entirely prevent the 12-volt battery from discharging. Do
not leave the vehicle with the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode
for long periods of time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■ Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 4 2
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 123
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving
conditions
The “READY” indicator may flash for a long time when the hybrid system\
is
starting. Driving will become possible once the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated. Wait until the “READY” indicator has illuminated.
■ Conditions aff ecting operation
P. 1 1 9
■ Notes for the entry function
P. 120
■ If the hybrid system does not start
● The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 179)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● The charging cable may be connected to the vehicle. ( P. 91)
Page 249 of 684

249
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency. ( P. 247) To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ For the shift positions
● When the “POWER” switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.
● When the “POWER” switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not oper-
ating), the shift position can only be changed to N. The shift position will
be changed to N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and held in that
position.
However, immediately after turning the “POWER” switch to ON mode,
the shift position may not change to N.
● When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be changed
from P to D, N or R.
● When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cannot be
changed from P to another position even if the shift lever is operated.
Wait until the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing to a solid light,
and then operate the shift lever again.
● The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.
In addition, if an attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the
shift lever in any of the following situations, the buzzer will sound and the
shifting operation will be disabled or the shift position will automatically
change to N. When this happens, select an appropriate shift position.
● Situations where the shifting operation will be disabled:
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another
position by moving the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P or N to B by moving the shift lever.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another position by moving the shift lever while the charging cable is connected
to the vehicle.
Page 251 of 684

251
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pedal will apply
engine braking.
● When the vehicle is driven at high speeds, compared to ordinary gaso-
line-fueled vehicles, the engine braking deceleration is felt less than that
of other vehicles.
● The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is selected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel efficiency will
become low. Usually, shift the shift position to D.
■ When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated
Even if switching the driving mode to power mode with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or
radar cruise control will not be canceled.
■ When canceling Eco drive mode/power mode
● Press the switch again. Also, power mode will be canceled automatically
when the “POWER” switch is turned off. However, Eco drive mode will
not be canceled automatically until the switch is pressed, even if the
“POWER” switch is turned off.
● When in Eco drive mode, if the power mode switch is pressed or the
operation is reversed, the mode will switch to that of the last switch to be
pressed.
■ After charging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 473
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 639)
Page 253 of 684

253
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
Hybrid battery (tract ion battery) charge
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid leaving the N
position selected for an extended period of time.
■ Situations where P position contro l system malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs, P position control system malfunc-
tions are possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, apply the park-
ing brake, and then contact your Toyota dealer.
● When the “P LOCK MALFUNCTION ” warning message appears on the
multi-information display. ( P. 548)
● When the shift position indicator remains off.
■ Notes regarding shift lever an d P position switch operation
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift lever and P position switch in quick suc-
cession.
The system protection function may activate and it will temporarily not be
possible to shift the shift position other than P. If this happens, please wait
for a while before attempting to change the shift position again.
Page 263 of 684
263
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the
vehicle’s various systems.
Turn signal indicator
(P. 254)Eco Driving Indicator
Light ( P. 268)
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
(P. 292)“ECO MODE”
indicator ( P. 247)
(Canada)
Tail light indicator
(P. 292)Power mode indicator
(P. 247)
Headlight high beam
indicator ( P. 295)
(if equipped)
Cruise control indicator
(P. 308, 320)
Front fog light indicator
(P. 298)
(if equipped)
Radar cruise control
indicator ( P. 312)
Security indicator
(P. 179)
(if equipped)
“SET” indicator
(P. 308, 320)
“READY” indicator
(P. 238)Slip indicator
(P. 329, 333)
EV indicator ( P. 268)
(if equipped)
“PCS” warning
(P. 336)
EV drive mode indica-
tor ( P. 35)Charging timer indicator
(P. 86)
*1, 2
*1, 3