Page 57 of 800

571-2. Child safety
PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
1
For safety and security
Riding with children
●It is recommended that children sit in the rear seats to avoid acci-
dental contact with the shift lever, wiper switch etc.
● Use the rear door child-protector lock or the window lock switch to
avoid children opening the door while driving or operating the
power window accidentally. ( P. 168, 198)
● Do not let small children operate equipment which may catch or
pinch body parts, such as the power window, hood, back door,
seats etc.
Observe the following precautions when children are in the vehi-
cle.
Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child, until the
child becomes large enough to pr operly wear the vehicle’s seat
belt.
WARNING
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to
have or use the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral.
There is also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with
the side windows, the moon roof (if equipped) or other features of the vehi-
cle. In addition, heat build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the
vehicle can be fatal to children.
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168
PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
The door cannot be opened from
inside the vehicle when the lock is
set.Unlock
Lock
These locks can be set to prevent
children from opening the rear
doors. Push down on each rear
door switch to lock both rear doors.
The following functions can be set or canceled:
For instructions on customizing, refer to P. 752.
Rear door child-protector lock
1
2
Automatic door lockin g and unlocking systems
FunctionOperation
Shift position linked door lock-
ing functionShifting the shift position to any positions
other than P locks all the doors.
Shift position linked door
unlocking functionShifting the shift position to P unlocks all
the doors.
Speed linked door locking
functionAll the doors are locked when the vehicle
speed is approximately 12 mph (20 km/h)
or higher.
Driver’s door linked door
unlocking function
All the doors are unlocked when the
driver’s door is opened within approxi-
mately 45 seconds after turning the power
switch off.
Page 187 of 800

PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
1873-3. Adjusting the seats
3
Operation of each component
Pull the seatback lock release
lever and fold the seatback down.
To avoid trapping the seat belt
between the seat and the inside of
the vehicle, pass the seat belt
inside the seat belt guide and then
return the seatback securely to
the locked position.
Folding down the seatbacks
Returning the rear seatbacks
Seat belt guide
WARNING
■When folding the seatbacks down
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
●Do not fold the seatbacks down while driving.
● Stop the vehicle on level ground, apply the parking brake firmly and shift
the shift position to P.
● Do not allow anyone to sit on a folded seatback or in the luggage compart-
ment while driving.
● Do not allow children to enter the luggage compartment.
● Do not operate the rear seat if it is occupied.
● Be careful not to get feet or hands caught in the moving parts or joints of
the seats during operation.
● Do not allow children to operate the seat.
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208
PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle
P. 2 2 5
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift position to D.
( P. 234)
Check that the shift position indicator shows D.
Release the parking brake. ( P. 241)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelera-
tor pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
With the shift position in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift
position to P. (
P. 235)
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 241)
Shift the shift position to P. ( P. 235)
Check that the shift position indicator shows P.
Press the power switch to stop the hybrid system.
Slowly release the brake pedal.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on your
person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe
driving:
Starting the hybrid system
Driving
Stopping
Parking the vehicle
1
2
3
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
Page 215 of 800

PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
2154-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and
plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place con-
tainers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard. Adhe-
sive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift position to P, stop the hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the “READY” indicator is illuminated
or immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
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PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
NOTICE
■When encounterin g flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
transmission, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
If the shift control system is damaged by flooding, it may not be possible to
shift the shift position to P, or from P to other positions. When the shift posi-
tion cannot be changed from P to any other position, the front wheels will
lock, and you will be unable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the
ground, as the front wheels may be locked. In this case, transport the vehi-
cle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted.
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PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■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.
● The multi-information display, 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.)
■ If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
P. 708
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. 647)
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.
● If the power switch is operated while the vehicle is running, a warning
message will be shown on the multi-information display and a buzzer
sounds.
● When restarting the hybrid system after an emergency shutdown while
driving, press the power switch. When restarting the hybrid system after
stopping the vehicle, change the shift position to P and then press the
power switch.
Page 415 of 800
PRIUS_OM_OM47A29U_(U)
4154-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road con-
ditions.
Park the vehicle and shift the shift position to P and block the wheel
under the vehicle without setting the parking brake. The parking brake
may freeze up, preventing it from being released.
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. Chain
size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
0.12 in. (3.0 mm)
1.18 in. (30.0 mm)
0.39 in. (10.0 mm)
Cross chain 0.16 in. (4.0 mm)
0.98 in. (25.0 mm)
0.55 in. (14.0 mm)
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Al ways check local regulations before installing
chains.
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
1
2
3
4
5
6
Regulations on the use of tire chains