Page 79 of 796

791-3. Hybrid system
PRIUS_OM_OM47B54U_(U)
1
For safety and security
◆When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops
* when the vehicle is stopped. During
start off, the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehicle. At
slow speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine is
stopped
* and the electric motor (traction motor) is used.
When shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) is not
being charged.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the engine is warming up, etc., the gasoline engine will not automatically stop.
(→P. 80)
◆During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predomin antly used. The electric motor
(traction motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) as nec-
essary.
◆When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is added to that of the gasoline
engine via the electric motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The wheels operate the electric motor (traction motor) as a power
generator, and the hybrid battery (traction battery) is charged.
When driving with the gasoline engine stopped, a sound, which
changes in accordance with the driving speed, will be played in order
to warn people nearby of the vehi cle’s approach. The sound will stop
when the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).
Vehicle proximity notification system
Page 80 of 796

801-3. Hybrid system
PRIUS_OM_OM47B54U_(U)
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and
deceleration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift position in D or
B.
● The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift position in D or \
B.
■ Hybrid System Indicator
■ Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop
automatically in the following conditions
*:
● During gasoline engine warm-up
● During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
● When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
● When the heater is switched on
*: Depending on the circumstances, the gasoline engine may also not stop
automatically in situations other than those above.
■ Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the bat-
tery does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if the
vehicle is left parked for a long time the hybrid battery (traction battery) will
slowly discharge. For this reason, be sure to drive the vehicle at least once
every few months for at least 30 minutes or 10 miles (16 km). If the hybrid
battery (traction battery) becomes fully discharged and you are unable to start
the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
→P. 710
■ After the 12-volt battery has dischar ged or when the terminal has been
removed and installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by the
hybrid battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your
Toyota dealer. Hybrid System Indicator represents the
hybrid system power output and regener-
ative charging. ( →P. 119)
Page 101 of 796
PRIUS_OM_OM47B54U_(U)
1012. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehicle’s
systems.
Warning lights
Warning lightsPages
*1Brake system warning light (U.S.A.) P. 653
*1Brake system warning light (Canada)
(Red)P. 653
*1Brake system warning light
(Yellow)P. 653
*1Charging system warning light
P. 653
*1Low engine oil pressure warning lightP. 653
*1Malfunction indicator lamp (U.S.A.) P. 653
*1Malfunction indicator lamp (Canada) P. 653
*1SRS warning lightP. 654
*1ABS warning light (U.S.A.) P. 654
*1ABS warning light (Canada)P. 654
*1Electric power steering system warning light
(Red/yellow)P. 654
*1, 2PCS warning light (if equipped)
P. 654
*1Slip indicator light P. 655
*1High coolant temperature warning lightP. 655
Page 119 of 796
PRIUS_OM_OM47B54U_(U)
1192. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
◆Hybrid System Indicator
The display changes according to accelerator pedal operation and
displays the current driving status and energy regeneration status.
The Hybrid System Indicator can be displayed on the sub-screen of the
main display (→P. 112) and the head-up display (if equipped)
( →P. 146).
■
How to read the display
Charge area
Shows that energy is being recovered via the regenerative charging.
Eco area
Shows that the vehicle is being driven in an Eco-friendly manner.
Power area
Shows that an Eco-friendly driving range is being exceeded (during full
power driving etc.)
Hybrid Eco area*1
Shows that gasoline engine power is not being used very often.
The gasoline engine will automatically stop and restart under various
conditions.
Head-up display (if equipped)
Sub-screen
Multi-information
display
1
2
3
4
Page 155 of 796
PRIUS_OM_OM47B54U_(U)
1552. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
These images are examples only, and may vary slightly from actual
conditions.
When the vehicle is charging
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
When there is no energy flow
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
status
Audio system screen
Low Full
Page 237 of 796

PRIUS_OM_OM47B54U_(U)
2374-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Restraining sudden star t (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 posi\
tion
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 can not be shifted from P
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery is discharged. Check the 12-volt
battery in this situation. ( →P. 708)
■ 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/reconnect ing the 12-volt battery
→P. 597
Page 239 of 796

PRIUS_OM_OM47B54U_(U)
2394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid leaving the N
position selected for an extended period of time.
■ Situations where shift control system malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs, shift control system malfunctions
are possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, apply the park-
ing brake, and then contact your Toyota dealer.
● When the warning message indicating the shift control system appears on
the multi-information display. ( →P. 664)
● The display indicates that no shift position is selected for more than a\
few
seconds.
■ Notes regarding shift lever an d P position switch operation
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift lever and P position switch in quick suc-
cession.
The system protection function may activate and it will not be temporarily
possible to shift the shift position other than P. If this happens, please wait
for approximately 20 seconds before attempting to change the shift position
again.
Page 246 of 796

246
PRIUS_OM_OM47B54U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the 12-volt battery of the vehicle from discharging, if the
headlights and/or tail lights are on when the power switch is turned off, the
12-volt battery saving function will operate and automatically turn off all the
lights after approximately 20 minutes.
When any of the following are performed, the 12-volt battery-saving function
is canceled once and then reactivated. All the lights will turn off automatically
20 minutes after the 12-volt battery-saving function has been reactivated:
●When the headlight switch is operated
● When a door is opened or closed
■ If “Headlight System Ma lfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: →P. 748)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.