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151
1-5. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Active head restraints
When  the occupant’s lower back
presses  against  the  seatback
during  a  rear-end  collision,  the
head restraint moves slightly for-
ward  and  upward  to  help  reduce
the  risk  of  whiplash  on  the  seat
occupant.
Power seat (if equipped for driver’s seat)
Seat  position  adjustment
switch
Seatback  angle  adjustment
switch
Seat  cushion  (front)  angle
adjustment switch
Ve r t i c a l   h e i g h t   a d j u s t m e n t
switch
Lumbar  support  adjustment
switch 
     
        
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171
1-5. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Auto  anti-glare  inside  rear view  mirror  (without  garage  door
opener)
Responding  to  the  level  of  brightness  of  the  headlights  of  vehicles
behind, the reflected light is automatically reduced.
Changing  automatic  anti-glare
function mode 
ON/OFF
When  the  automatic  anti-glare
function  is  in  ON  mode,  the  indi-
cator illuminates.
The  function  will  set  to  ON  mode
each time the “POWER” switch is
turned to ON mode.
Pressing  the  button  turns  the
function  to  OFF  mode.  (The  indi-
cator also turns off.)
Auto anti-glare inside rear view mirror (with garage door opener)
Responding  to  the  level  of  brightness  of  the  headlights  of  vehicles
behind, the reflected light is automatically reduced.
Changing  automatic  anti-glare
function mode
ON
OFF
When  the  automatic  anti-glare
function  is  in  ON  mode,  the  indi-
cator illuminates.
The  function  will  set  to  ON  mode
each time the “POWER” switch is
turned to ON mode.
Turns  the  function  to  OFF  mode,
the indicator turns off.
Indicator
Indicator 
     
        
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174
1-5. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
■Mirror angle can be adjusted when
The “POWER” switch is in ACCESSORY or ON mode.
■When the mirrors are fogged up (vehicles with outside rear view mirror
defoggers)
The  outside  rear  view  mirrors  can  be  cleared  using  the  mirror  defoggers.
Turn  on  the  rear  window  defogger  to  turn  on  the  outside  rear  view  mirror
defoggers. ( oP.   3 8 1 )
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
Observe the following precautions while driving.
Failing to do so may result in loss of control of the vehicle and cause an acci-
dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not adjust the mirrors while driving.
●Do not drive with the mirrors folded.
●Both the driver and passenger side mirrors must be extended and properly
adjusted before driving.
■When a mirror is moving
To   a v o i d   p e r s o n a l   i n j u r y   a n d   m i r r o r   m a l f u n c t i o n ,   b e   c a r e f u l   n o t   t o   g e t   y o u r
hand caught by the moving mirror.
■When  the  mirror  defoggers  are  operating  (vehicles  with  outside  rear
view mirror defoggers)
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces, as they can become very hot and
burn you. 
     
        
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233
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
2
When driving
CAUTION
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the back door is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehi-
cle  can  cause  driver  drowsiness  and  an  accident,  resulting  in  death  or  a
serious  health  hazard.  Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by  your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
●Do not shift the shift position to P while the vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
●Do not shift the shift position to R while the vehicle is moving forward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
●Do not shift the shift position to D while the vehicle is moving backward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
●Moving  the  shift  position  to  N  while  the  vehicle  is  moving  will  disengage
the  hybrid  system.  Engine  braking  is  not  available  with  the  hybrid  system
disengaged.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. 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. 
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way:  oP.   6 1 5
●Use engine braking (shift position B instead of shift position D) to maintain
a safe speed when driving down a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( oP.   2 4 9 ) 
     
        
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2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain driving torque.
●Do  not  use  the  accelerator  pedal  or  depress  the  accelerator  and  brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of 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 get a flat tire while driving 
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire. ( oP.   4 5 4 ) 
     
        
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247
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
2
When driving
■When the shift control system malfunctions
The  “POWER”  switch  will  not  be  able  to  be  turned  off.  In  such  a  case,  the
switch can be turned off after applying the parking brake. 
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■Ending display
When  the  “POWER”  switch  is  turned  off,  each  of  the  following  will  be  dis-
played  on  the  multi-information  display,  and  will  extinguish  after  approxi-
mately 30 seconds.
●The driving distance, driving time and consumption since the hybrid sys-
tem was started.
●The odometer
●The clock
CAUTION
■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 cir-
cumstances. 
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehi-
cle, press and hold the “POWER” switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( oP.   6 1 5 )
However, do not touch the “POWER” switch while driving except in an emer-
gency.  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. 
     
        
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333
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
2
When driving
Driving assist systems
To   h e l p   e n h a n c e   d r i v i n g   s a f e t y   and  performance,  the  following  sys-
tems operate automatically in response to various driving situations.
Be  aware,  however,  that  these  systems  are  supplementary  and
should not be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle. 
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
■Brake assist
Generates  an  increased  level  of  braking  force  after  the  brake  pedal  is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces
■TRAC (Traction Control) 
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
■EPS (Electric Power Steering) 
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps  to  maintain  directional  stability  when  swerving  on  slippery  road
surfaces by controlling steering performance. 
     
        
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335
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
2
When driving
■Sounds  and  vibrations  caused  by  the  ABS,  brake  assist,  VSC  and
TRAC
●A  sound  may  be  heard  from  the  engine  compartment  when  the  hybrid
system is started, just after the vehicle begins to move, if the brake pedal
is depressed forcefully or repeatedly, or 1-2 minutes after the hybrid sys-
tem  is  stopped.  This  sound  does  not  indicate  that  a  malfunction  has
occurred in any of these systems. 
●Any  of  the  following  conditions  may  occur  when  the  above  systems  are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred. 
•Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
•A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
•The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
•The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■EPS operation sound
When  the  steering  wheel  is  operated,  a  motor  sound  (whirring  sound)  may
be heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time.  The  steering  wheel  may  feel  heavy  as  a  result.  Should  this  occur,
refrain  from excessive steering input or stop  the  vehicle and turn the  hybrid
system off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
 oP.   5 4 4