158
PRIUS v_OM_OM47887U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY”
indicator is illuminated. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and ac\
cel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelera-
tor pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is
powered only by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine
noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement. Even
though the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle proximity notification sys-
tem, drive with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not notice the
vehicle if the surrounding area is noisy.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
172
PRIUS v_OM_OM47887U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Check that the power switch indicator turns green. If the indicator 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. 180)
Press the power switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the “READY” indicator
is illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started
from any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light and
the buzzer sounds, 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 gasoline engine starts or stops automatically in accor-
dance with the state of the vehicle.)
Performing the following operati ons when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the hybrid system or changes
power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
176
PRIUS v_OM_OM47887U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
■Meter display
When the power switch is turned off, each display will turn off as follows.
●The shift position indicator will turn off after approximately 2 seconds.
● EV driving ratio and average fuel consumption after hybrid system started,
turn off after approximately 6 seconds.
● The odometer, clock, etc. will turn off after approximately 30 seconds.
(Each display will also turn off immediately if a door is locked before 30 sec-
onds has elapsed.)
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.
■ Stopping the hybrid syst em 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. 481)
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.
NOTICE
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
● Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.
● If the hybrid system is off, but the indicator on the power switch is illumi-
nated, this indicates that the power switch is still turned on. When exiting
the vehicle, always check that the power switch is off.
■ When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction 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. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.
180
PRIUS v_OM_OM47887U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usuallybe used.
P. 2 4 3
■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 switch indica-
tor comes on.
Check that the P position is illu-
minated on the shift position
indicator.
■
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 without depressing the brake pedal, the
buzzer will sound and the shifting 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 provided on the instrument cluster.
● The shift position cannot be changed from P to B directly.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*
B
Applying engine braking or strong braking when the
accelerator pedal has been released on steep down-
ward slopes etc.
Selecting a driving mode
P position switch
244
PRIUS v_OM_OM47887U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving assist systems
◆ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)
The electronically controlled system generates braking force corre-
sponding to the brake operation
◆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
spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to redu ce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
◆Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Ve hicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional st ability when swerving on slippery
road surfaces by controllin g steering performance.
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following
systems operate automatically in response to various driving
situations. Be aware, however, that these systems are supple-
mentary and should not be relied upon too heavily when operat-
ing the vehicle.
PRIUS v_OM_OM47887U_(U)
2474-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Turning off both TRAC/VSC systems
To turn the TRAC/VSC systems off, press and hold for more than 3 sec-
onds while the vehicle is stopped.
Vehicles without multi-information display
The “TRAC OFF” and VSC OFF in dicator lights will come on.
Vehicles with multi-information display
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on and the message will be shown on
the multi-information display.
*
Press again to turn the systems back on.
*: On vehicles with pre-collision system, pre-collision brake assist and pre- collision braking will also be disabled. The PCS warning light will come on
and the message will be shown on the multi-information display. ( P. 489)
■ When the “TRAC OFF” indicator co mes on/message is displayed on the
multi-information display showing th at TRAC has been disabled even if
the VSC OFF switch has not been pressed
TRAC cannot be operated. Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and
hill-start assist control systems
Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are oper-
ating. 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.
■ ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the following cases, but it does not
indicate that a malfunction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is operated.
● Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when 1 or 2 minutes
passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
248
PRIUS v_OM_OM47887U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■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.
■ Automatic reactivation of TRAC system
After turning the TRAC system off, the system will be automatically re-
enabled in the following situations:
●When the power switch is turned off
● The TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed increases
■ Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
P. 489
■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will
operate:
● The shift position is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline).
● The vehicle is stopped.
● The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
● The parking brake is not engaged.
■ Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
● Shift the shift position to P or N.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed.
● The parking brake is engaged.
● Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.
PRIUS v_OM_OM47887U_(U)
2494-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the
following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■ TRAC may not operat e effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be
lost.
■ Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
● Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control
may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC syst em is turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. As this is the system to help ensure vehicle stability and driving force,
do not turn the TRAC/VSC system off unless necessary.