
308
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
■Restraining hybrid system outp ut (Brake Override System)
● When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same time, the
hybrid system output may be restrained.
● A warning message is displayed on the multi-information display while the
system is operating. If a warning message is shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and follow the instructions.
■ “ECO Accelerator Guidance” ( →P. 213)
It is easier to drive in an Eco-friendly manner by driving while referring to the
“ECO Accelerator Guidance” display. Also, by using the “ECO Accelerator
Guidance”, it is easier to increase the Eco score evaluation.
● When starting off:
While staying within the “ECO Accelerator Guidance” range, gradually
depress the accelerator pedal and accelerate to the desired speed. If exces-
sive acceleration is avoided, the “Eco-Start” score will increase.\
● When driving:
After accelerating to the desired speed, release the accelerator pedal and
drive at a stable speed within the “ECO Accelerator Guidance” range. By
keeping the vehicle within the “ECO Accelerator Guidance” range, the “Eco-
Cruise” score will increase.
● When stopping:
When stopping the vehicle, early releasing the accelerator pedal will cause
the “Eco-Stop” score to increase.
■ Restraining sudden star t (Drive-Start Control)
● When the following unusual operation is performed, the hybrid system out-
put 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-information display, read the message and follow the instructions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the vehicle is in
reverse.
● While Drive-Start Control is being activated, your vehicle may have trou-
ble escaping from the mud or fresh snow. In such case, deactivate TRAC
(→P. 477) to cancel Drive Start Control so that the vehicle may become
able to escape from the mud or fresh snow.

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
3275-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
■Conditions affecting operation
→P. 281
■ Note for the entry function
→P. 282
■ If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 75)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● The charging cable may be connected to the vehicle. (→ P. 132)
● If a message related to start-up is shown on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the instructions.
■ 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. 663
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 627
■ Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the power switch mode may
not change or the hybrid system may not start.
● If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid sys-
tem.
■ Automatic P position selection function
→P. 333
■ When the shift control system malfunctions
When attempting to turn the power switch off while there is a malfunction in
the shift control system, the power switch mode may change to ACCES-
SORY mode. In this case, ACCESSORY mode may be turned off by applying
the parking brake and pressing the power sw itch again. If there is a malfunc-
tion in the system, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immedi-
ately.

328
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
■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. 691
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 system 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. 645)
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.

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
3335-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
■Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
position is in R.
■ 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 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 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 power switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for exam-
ple, just before the vehicle stops), the shift position may automatical\
ly
switch to P. Press the power switch after completely stopping the vehicle to
prevent unexpected sudden stopping of the vehicle.
■ 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. 694)
■ 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. 588

334
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
■When a message related to shift oper ations 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. 732)
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.

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
3355-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (tract ion 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.

337
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
Parking brake
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
■Parking the vehicle
→P. 307
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged.
“Release Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display (with
the vehicle reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
■ Usage in winter time
→P. 483
Operating instructions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
NOTICE
■ Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.

342
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
5-3. 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. 732)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.