Page 182 of 596
1824-1. Before driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch
or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not desi gned for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch mounted carriers.
Page 183 of 596
1834-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.
Page 185 of 596
1854-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
“LOCK”
The steering wheel is locked and
the key can be removed. (The key
can be removed only when the
shift lever is in P.)
“ACC”
Some electrical components such
as the power outlet can be used.
“ON”
All electrical components can be used.
“START”
For starting the hybrid system.
■Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
Shift the shift lever to P.
■ Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
→P. 7 7
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving con-
ditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READY” indicator
may be long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “READY” indicator is steady
on, as steady means the vehicle is able to move.
Changing the engine switch positions
1
2
3
4
1
Push in the key and turn it to the
“LOCK” position.2
Page 186 of 596

1864-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)■
If the hybrid system does not start (vehicles with immobilizer system)
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 84)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact your Toyota dealer
immediately.
■ If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→P. 487
■ Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the engine switch is in
the “LOCK” or “ACC” position to remind you to remove the key. When starting the hybrid system, the
engine switch may seem stuck in the
“LOCK” position. To free it, turn the key
while turning the steering wheel slightly
left and right.
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.
■ Caution when driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving. If, in an
emergency, you must turn the hybrid system off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the hybrid system.
An accident may result if the hybrid system is stopped while driving.
(→P. 467)
Page 191 of 596

1914-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)■
Notes for the entry function
→P. 143
■ If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 84)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Steering lock
After turning the “POWER” switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
“POWER” switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor o verheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period
of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. After about 10
seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning. ● Check that the shift lever is securely set
in P. The hybrid system may not start if
the shift lever is not securely in the P
position. “SHIFT TO P POSITION TO
START” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
“STEERING LOCK ACTIVE” will be dis-
played on the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Press the “POWER” switch while turning
the steering wheel left and right.
Page 228 of 596

2284-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
WARNING
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
● The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
Do not use the pre-collision system instead of normal braking operations
under any circumstances. This system will not prevent collisions or lessen
collision damage or injury in every situation. Do not overly rely on this sys-
tem. Failure to do so may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
● Although this system is designed to help avoid and reduce the impact of a
collision, its effectiveness may change according to various conditions,
therefore the system may not always be able to achieve the same level of
performance.
Read the following conditions carefully. Do not overly rely on this system
and always drive carefully.
• Conditions under which the system may operate even if there is no pos-
sibility of a collision: →P. 232
• Conditions under which the system may not operate properly: →P. 236
● Do not attempt to test the operation of the pre-collision system yourself, as
the system may not operate properly, possibly leading to an accident.
■ Pre-collision braking
● The pre-collision braking function may not operate if certain operations are
performed by the driver. If the accelerator pedal is being depressed
strongly or the steering wheel is being turned, the system may determine
that the driver is taking evasive action and possibly prevent the pre-colli-
sion braking function from operating.
● In some situations, while the pre-collision braking function is operating,
operation of the function may be canceled if the accelerator pedal is
depressed strongly or the steering wheel is turned and the system deter-
mines that the driver is taking evasive action.
● A large amount of braking force is applied while the pre-collision braking
function is operating. Additionally, as the operation of the pre-collision
braking function will be canceled after the vehicle has been stopped for
approximately 2 seconds if it is stopped by the operation of the pre-colli-
sion braking function, the driver should depress the brake pedal as neces-
sary.
● If the brake pedal is being depressed, the system may determine that the
driver is taking evasive action and possibly delay the operation timing of
the pre-collision braking function.
Page 229 of 596

2294-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
WARNING
●While driving, such as when driving through a railway crossing, the system
may determine that the possibility of a collision with an object, such as rail-
way crossing barrier, is high and operate the pre-collision braking function.
To move the vehicle in an emergency, such as if the system operates in a
railway crossing, perform the following operations and then take the nec-
essary measures to ensure your safety.
• If the vehicle has been stopped, depress the accelerator pedal.
• If the vehicle is decelerating, fully depress the accelerator pedal.
(→P. 231)
• Disable the pre-collision system. ( →P. 230)
■ When to disable the pre-collision system
In the following situations, disable the system, as it may not operate prop-
erly, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
● When the vehicle is being towed
● When your vehicle is towing another vehicle
● When transporting the vehicle via truck, boat, train or similar means of
transportation
● When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the hybrid system on and the tires
are allowed to rotate freely
● When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chassis dyna-
mometer or speedometer tester, or when using an on vehicle wheel bal-
ancer
● If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehi-
cle has been in an accident or is malfunctioning
● When the vehicle is driven in a sporty manner or off-road
● When the condition of the tires is poor and they do not perform well
(→P. 432, 443)
● When tires of a size other than specified are installed
● When tire chains are installed
● When a compact spare tire or an emergency tire puncture repair kit is used
Page 231 of 596

2314-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
■Operational conditions
The pre-collision system is enabled and determines that the possibility of a
frontal collision with a vehicle is high.
Each function is operational at the following speeds:
●Pre-collision warning:
• Vehicle speed is approximately 10 to 86 mph (15 to 140 km/h).
• The relative speed between your vehicle and a preceding vehicle is
approximately 10 mph (15 km/h) or more.
● Pre-collision brake assist:
• Vehicle speed is approximately 19 to 49 mph (30 to 80 km/h).
• The relative speed between your vehicle and a preceding vehicle is
approximately 19 mph (30 km/h) or more.
● Pre-collision braking:
• Vehicle speed is approximately 7 to 49 mph (10 to 80 km/h).
• The relative speed between your vehicle and a preceding vehicle is
approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
The system may not operate in the following situations:
● If a battery terminal has been disconnected and reconnected and then the
vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of time
● If the shift lever is in R
● If VSC is disabled (only the pre-collision warning function will be opera-
tional)
■ Cancelation of the pre-collision braking
●If either of the following occur while the pre-collision braking function is
operating, it will be canceled:
• The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly.
• The steering wheel is turned sharply or abruptly.
● If the vehicle is stopped by the operation of the pre-collision braking func-
tion, the operation of the pre-collision braking function will be canceled after
the vehicle has been stopped for approximately 2 seconds.