Page 210 of 800

210
PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual operation is performed, the hybrid system out-
put may be restrained.
• When the shift position is shifted from R to D, D/B to R, N to R, P to D, P
to R with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears
on the multi-information display. If a warning message is shown on the
multi-information display, read the message and follow the instructions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the vehicle is in reverse.
● While Drive-Start Control is being activated, your vehicle may have trou-
ble escaping from the mud or fresh snow. In such case, deactivate TRAC
(P. 406) to cancel Drive Start Control so that the vehicle may become
able to escape from the mud or fresh snow.
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■ Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P. 729)
Page 232 of 800

232
PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
■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 short 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.
■ Automatic cancelatio n of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gas oline engine may automatically restart
in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will
sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the energy monitor display is low.
(P. 118, 154)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a
prior notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters
to approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, depending on vehicle conditions,
there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that
is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driv\
ing
conditions.)
■ Changing a driving mode when in EV drive mode
EV drive mode can be used in conjunction with Eco drive mode and power
mode.
However, EV drive mode may be automatically canceled when used in con-
junction with power mode.
■ Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy
during normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction
motor]). Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel econ-
omy.
Page 235 of 800

PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
2354-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usuallybe used.
P. 3 2 0
■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
Page 237 of 800

PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
2374-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
When the following unusual operation is performed, the hybrid system output
may be restrained.
●When the shift position is shifted from R to D, D/B to R, N to R, P to D, P to
R with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on the
multi-information display. If a warning message is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display, read the message and follow the instructions.
● When the accelerator pedal is depressed too while the vehicle is in reverse.
■ Automatic P position selection function
●If the power switch is on and the shift position is not already P, completely
stopping the vehicle and pressing the power switch causes the shift position
to automatically switch to P and the power switch to turn off.
● The shift position may also automatically switch to P if one of the following
conditions is detected while the vehicle is stopped by dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range.
• Driver’s seat belt is not fastened
• Driver’s door is opened
• Approximately 3 minutes elapse after the vehicle stopped
■ 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. 711)
■ 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 gasoline-
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, select the D position.
■ After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 598
Page 245 of 800

PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
2454-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Daytime running light system
●To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving,
the daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system
is started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch in the
/ / position. (Illuminate dimmer than the headlight lights.)
Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the
headlight switch.
● Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.
■ Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
■ Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after a door is opened and closed if the power switch is turned to
ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The li ghts turn off immediately if on
the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
● When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and the driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light
switch off once and then back to or . The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the
windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.
Air conditioning operation may also be
interrupted.
Page 262 of 800
262
PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap
●Close all the doors and windows, and turn the power switch off.
● Confirm the type of fuel.
■Fuel types
P. 737
■ Fuel tank opening for unleaded gasoline
To help prevent incorrect fueling, your vehicle has a fuel tank opening that
only accommodates the special nozzle on unleaded fuel pumps.
■ Gasoline price setting screen
After refueling more than approximately 1.3 gal. (5 L, 1.1 Imp.gal.) and turn-
ing the power switch to ON mode, the gasoline price setting screen will be
automatically displayed on the multi-information display. ( P. 128)
The fuel tank of your vehicle has a special structure, which
requires a reduction in fuel tank pressure before refueling. After
the opener switch has been pressed, it will take several seconds
until the vehicle is ready for refueling.
Before refueling the vehicle
Page 263 of 800

PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
2634-4. Refueling
4
Driving
WARNING
■When refueling the vehicle
Observe the following precautions while refueling the vehicle. Failure to do
so may result in death or serious injury.
●After exiting the vehicle and before opening the fuel door, touch an
unpainted metal surface to discharge any static electricity. It is important to
discharge static electricity before refueling because sparks resulting from
static electricity can cause fuel vapors to ignite while refueling.
● Always hold the grips on the fuel tank cap and turn it slowly to remove it.
A whooshing sound may be heard when the fuel tank cap is loosened.
Wait until the sound cannot be heard before fully removing the cap. In hot
weather, pressurized fuel may spray out of the filler neck and cause injury.
● Do not allow anyone that has not discharged static electricity from their
body to come close to an open fuel tank.
● Do not inhale vaporized fuel.
Fuel contains substances that are harmful if inhaled.
● Do not smoke while refueling the vehicle.
Doing so may cause the fuel to ignite and cause a fire.
● Do not return to the vehicle or touch any person or object that is statically
charged.
This may cause static electricity to build up, resulting in a possible ignition
hazard.
■ When refueling
Observe the following precautions to prevent fuel overflowing from the fuel
tank:
●Securely insert the fuel nozzle into the fuel filler neck.
● Stop filling the tank after the fuel nozzle automatically clicks off.
● Do not top off the fuel tank.
Page 264 of 800
264
PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
4-4. Refueling
Press the opener to open the
fuel filler door.
The fuel filler door will open within
about 10 seconds of the switch
being pressed. Before refueling is
possible, a message will be shown
on the multi-information display in
the instrument cluster to indicate
the progress of the fuel filler door
opener.
Turn the fuel tank cap slowly to
open and hang it on the back of
the fuel filler door.
NOTICE
■Refueling
●Finish refueling within 30 minutes. If more than 30 minutes passes, the
internal valve closes. In this condition, fuel may overflow during the refuel-
ing process.
Press the fuel filler door opener switch again.
● Do not spill fuel during refueling.
Doing so may damage the vehicle, such as causing the emission control
system to operate abnormally or damaging fuel system components or the
vehicle’s painted surface.
Opening the fuel tank cap
1
2