
180
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(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 cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline 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. 102, 108)
●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 driving
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.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the
vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicy-
cles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehi-
cle starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.
Therefore, take extra care while driving even if the vehicle proximity notifica-
tion system is active (vehicles with vehicle proximity notification system).

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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usually
be used.
P. 2 4 5
■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

184
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
■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.
■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. 538)
■After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 440
■Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 575)

192
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■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 off or in
the / position (Illuminate dimmer than the headlights). Daytime run-
ning 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 lights 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 .
■Automatic headlight leveling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the
headlights do not interfere with other road users. 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.

207
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-4. Refueling
4
Driving
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. 561
■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.
Perform the following steps to open the fuel tank cap.
Before refueling the vehicle
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.

208
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-4. Refueling
Pull up the opener to open the
fuel filler door.
Turn the fuel tank cap slowly to
open and hang it on the back of
the fuel filler door.
WARNING
■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
NOTICE
■Refueling
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

PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
2094-4. Refueling
4
Driving
After refueling, turn the fuel tank
cap until you hear a click. Once
the cap is released, it will turn
slightly in the opposite direction.
Closing the fuel tank cap
WARNING
■When replacing the fuel cap
Do not use anything but a genuine Toyota fuel tank cap designed for your
vehicle. Doing so may cause a fire or other incident which may result in
death or serious injury.

245
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Driving mode select switch
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 oper-
ation of the air conditioning system
(heating/cooling) will be minimized.
When the “ECO” switch is pressed, the “ECO MODE” indicator comes on
in the instrument cluster.
Power mode*
Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable, such as when
driving in mountainous regions or when overtaking.
When the “PWR” switch is pressed, the “PWR MODE” indicator comes on
in the instrument cluster.
*: When Eco drive mode and power mode are canceled, the system uses
normal mode for optimal everyday driving.
■Operation of the air conditioning 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. 369). To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■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 “PWR” switch is pressed or the operation is
reversed, the mode will switch to that of the last switch to be pressed.
■Switching the drive mode when in EV drive mode
P. 180
The driving modes can be selected to suit driving conditions.
1
2