Page 187 of 552

1874-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light and a
beep sound, the hybrid system is starting normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if the engine
is stopped. (The engine starts or stops automatically in accordance with
the state of the vehicle.)
Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 200)
Press the “POWER” switch.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that on the multi-
information display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the “POWER” switch with brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.) Off
*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the power outlet can be used.
will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the hybrid sys- tem, the “POWER” switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing “POWER” switch modes
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
Page 188 of 552

1884-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other
than P, the “POWER” switch will not be turned off but instead be
turned to ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to
turn the switch off:Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that is displayed on the multi-information display and
then press the “POWER” switch once.
Check that on the multi-information display is off.
■Auto power off function
When the shift lever is in P, if the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY or ON mode
with the hybrid system not operating for more than 20 minutes (ACCESSORY
mode) or one hour (ON mode), the “POWER” switch will automatically turn
off. However, this function cannot entirely prevent 12-volt battery discharge.
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. 7 5
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 121
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving con-
ditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READY” indicator
may be long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “READY” indicator is steady
on, as steady means the vehicle is able to move.
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 140
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a posi-
tion other than P
1
2
3
4
Page 189 of 552

1894-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)■
Notes for the entry function
P. 141
■ If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 82)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Steering lock
After turning the “POWER” switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
“POWER” switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period
of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. After about 10
seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning. ●Check that the shift lever is securely set
in P. The hybrid system may not start if
the shift lever is not securely in the P
position. “SHIFT TO P POSITION TO
START” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
“STEERING LOCK ACTIVE” will be dis-
played on the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Press the “POWER” switch while turning
the steering wheel left and right.
Page 191 of 552

1914-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
WARNING
■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
circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution while driving
If a hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Doing so
may cause activation of the steering lock which may lead to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
■ When “CHECK SMART KEY SYSTEM” is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately. Failure to do so may lead to the system operat-
ing abnormally and possibly cause an accident or damage to the vehicle.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the
vehicle, press and hold the “POWER” switch for more than 2 seconds, or
press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 431)
However, do not touch the “POWER” switch while driving except in an
emergency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, however, power assist to the steering will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over
and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Page 192 of 552

1924-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long
periods of time without the hybrid system on.
● If is displayed on the multi-information display, the “POWER”
switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the “POWER” switch off.
● Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other
than P. If the hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the
“POWER” switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery
discharge may occur.
■ When starting the hybrid system
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
● If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the “POWER” switch
If the “POWER” switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than
usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer immediately.
Page 194 of 552

1944-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
■Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a shor t period of time in order to warm up.
In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■ Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. 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 68
F (20C) for
a long period of time etc.
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
When the amount of remaining hybrid battery (traction battery) charge dis-
played on the meter or multimedia system is low. ( P. 108)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
Page 220 of 552

2204-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
■Cruise control can be set when
●The shift lever is in D.
● Vehicle speed is above approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
■ Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
●The vehicle can be accelerated normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes.
● Even without canceling the cruise control, the set speed can be increased
by first accelerating the vehicle to the desired speed and then pushing the
lever down to set the new speed.
■ Automatic cruise control cancelation
Cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in any of the following
situations.
●Actual vehicle speed falls more than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) below
the preset vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
● Actual vehicle speed is below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
● VSC is activated.
■ If “CHECK CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM” is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display
Press the “ON-OFF” button once to deactivate the system, and then press
the button again to reactivate the system.
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels imme-
diately after being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise control
system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Page 222 of 552
2224-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
Vehicles without a smart key sys-
tem: The rear view image is dis-
played when the shift position is in
R and the engine switch is in the
“ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
The rear view image is displayed
when the shift position is in R and
the “POWER” switch is in ON
mode.
The rear view monitor system will
be deactivated when the shift lever
is in any position other than R.
Rear view monitor system
: If equipped
The rear view monitor system assists the driver by displaying
guide lines and an image of the view behind the vehicle while
backing up, for example while parking.
For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “NAVIGATION
SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”.The screen illustrations used in this text are intended as examples,
and may differ from the image that is actually displayed on the
screen.