2015 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Owners Manual

249
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
2
When driving
Hybrid transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
Shift lever
Operate the shift lever gently and ensure correct shifting operation.
Release the shift lever after each shifting operation to allow it to return
to the position.
When shifting to the D or R positions, move the shift lever
along the shift gate.
To shift to the N position, slide the shift lever to the left and hold
it. The shift position will change to N.
To shift to the B position, pull the shift lever down. Shifting to B
is only possible when shift position D is selected.
When shifting from P to N, D or R, from D to R, or from R to D, ensure
that the brake pedal is being depressed and the vehicle is stationary.

250 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Shift position indicator
The position of the frame on the shift position indicator changes in
accordance with the current shift position.
When any shift position other than D or B is selected, the arrow toward
B and B position indicator disappear from the shift position indicator.
When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift position has
been changed to the desired position by checking the shift position indica-
tor provided on the instrument cluster.
■ Shift position purpose
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usu-
ally be used.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
BApplying moderate engine braking when driving down hills or on steep slopes

251
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
2
When driving
■
Selecting a driving mode
The following modes can be selected to suit driving conditions:
Eco drive mode
Suitable for improving the fuel economy, because the torque cor-
responding to the accelerator pedal depression amount can be
generated more smoothly than it is in normal conditions and the
operation of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling) will be
minimized.
When the “ECO MODE” switch is pressed, the “ECO MODE” indicator
comes on.
Power mode
Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable,
such as when driving in mountainous regions or when overtak-
ing.
When the power mode switch is pressed, the power mode indicator
comes on.

252 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
P position switch■ When shifting the shift position to P
Fully stop the vehicle and set the
parking brake, and then press
the P position switch.
When the shift position is
changed to P, the indicator comes
on.
Check that the P position is illumi-
nated on the shift position indica-
tor.
■Shifting the shift position from P to other positions
●While depressing the brake pedal firmly, operate the shift lever.
If the shift lever is operated wi thout depressing the brake pedal,
the buzzer will sound and the shif ting operation will be disabled.
● When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift posi-
tion has been changed to the desired position by checking the
shift position indicator provi ded on the instrument cluster.
● The shift position cannot be changed from P to B directly.

253
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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. 251) 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 other 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.

254 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
In addition, if an attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the
shift lever or by pressing the P position switch in any of the following situa-
tions, 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 other
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.
● Situations where the shift position will automatically change to N:
• When the P position switch is pressed while the vehicle is running.
*1
• When an attempt is made to select the R position by moving the shift
lever when the vehicle is moving forward.
*2
• When an attempt is made to select the D position by moving the shiftlever when the vehicle is moving in reverse.
*3
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from R to B bymoving the shift lever.
*1: Shift position may be changed to P when driving at extremely lowspeeds.
*2: Shift position may be changed to R when driving at low speeds.
*3: Shift position may be changed to D when driving at low speeds.

255
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
2
When driving
■
Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
position is in R.
■ Automatically P position selection function
When the shift position is in a position other than P, pressing the “POWER”
switch with the vehicle stopped completely will cause the shift position to
change to P automatically, and then the “POWER” switch will turn off.
■ If the shift position cannot be shifted from P
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery is discharged. Check the 12-volt
battery in this situation. ( P. 601)
■ 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.

256 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
■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. 478
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 647)