3195-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as
soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle w hen the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift position is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may
accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indicator is
illuminated, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
3235-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
NOTICE
■When encountering 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 any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional 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.
3275-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the charging cable is disconnected. (P. 148)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
When the shift position is N, the
hybrid system cannot start. Shift
the shift position to P when starting
the hybrid system. (P. 334)
Press the power switch shortly
and firmly.
When operating the power switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It
is not necessary to press and hold
the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
The hybrid system can be started from any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light and
the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if the engine
is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops automatically in accor-
dance with the state of the vehicle.)
Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the hybrid system or changes
power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5
3345-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usually
be used.
P. 4 1 2
■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
highlighted 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
downward slopes etc.
Selecting a driving mode
P position switch
3365-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)■Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
position is in R.
■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 much 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 power switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for exam-
ple, just before the vehicle stops), the shift position may automatically
switch to P. Press the power switch after completely stopping the vehicle to
prevent unexpected sudden stopping of the vehicle.
■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. 682)
■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. 575
3375-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
■When a message related to shift operations is displayed on the multi-
information display
When the shift position does not switch due to a mistaken operation, system
conditions, etc., or when the attempted shift operation is invalid, a message
indicating the correct operation or the reason why switching cannot be per-
formed is shown on the multi-information display. In these cases, follow the
instructions and retry the operation.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 708)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift the shift position suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
■ Shift lever and P position switch
● Do not remove the shift lever knob or use anything but a genuine Toyota
shift lever knob. Also, do not hang anything on the shift lever.
Doing so could prevent the shift lever from returning to position, causing
unexpected accidents to occur when the vehicle is in motion.
● Do not press the P position switch while the vehicle is moving.
If the P position switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for
example, just before the vehicle stops), the vehicle may stop suddenly
when the shift position switches to P, which could lead to an accident.
● In order to prevent the shift position from accidentally being changed, do
not touch the shift lever or P position switch when not using them.
4405-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
WARNING
■Sensors
Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where
this may occur are listed below.
● There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor. (Wiping the sensors will resolve
this problem.)
● The sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen, the screen may show an
abnormal display, or obstacles may not be detected.
● The sensor is covered in any way.
● In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather
● On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass
● The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle
engines, air brakes of large vehicles , or other loud noises producing ultra-
sonic waves.
● The sensor is splashed with water or drenched with heavy rain.
● The sensor is drenched with water on a flooded road.
● The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
● The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
● The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
● The detection range is reduced due to an object such as a sign.
● The area directly under the bumpers is not detected.
● If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
● The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
● A non-genuine Toyota suspension (lowered suspension etc.) is installed.
● There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the vicin-
ity.
● Towing eyelets are installed.
● A backlit license plate is installed.
In addition to the examples above, depending on the shape and condition of
obstacles, detection may not be possible, or the detection range may be
shortened.
4515-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
■Situations when the system may operate even though there is no possi-
bility of a collision
In the following situations, the system may operate even though there is no
possibility of a collision.
● Environmental influence
• The vehicle is driven toward a banner or flag, a low-hanging branch or a
boom barrier (such as those used at railroad crossings, toll gates and
parking lots).
• There is an obstacle on the shoulder of the road (when the vehicle is
driven in a narrow tunnel, on a narrow bridge or on a narrow road)
• The vehicle is being parallel parked
• There is a rut or hole in the surface of the road
• When the vehicle is driven on a metal cover (grating), such as those used
for drainage ditches
• The vehicle is driven on a steep slope
• The sensor is covered by water on a flooded road
● Influence from the weather
• Ice, snow, dirt, etc., has adhered to the sensor (if removed, the system
returns to normal)
• Heavy rain or water strikes the vehicle
• In severe weather such as fog, snow or a sand storm
● Influence from other sonic waves
• An ultrasonic wave source is nearby, such as the horn or parking assist-
sensor of another vehicle, a vehicle detector, a motorcycle engine or the
air brake of a large vehicle
• Electronic components (such as a backlit license plate (especially fluo-
rescent types), fog lights, a fender pole or a wireless antenna) are
installed near the sensors
• The vehicle is driven on a narrow
road
• The vehicle is driven on a gravel road
or in an area with tall grass