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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
1854-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■For the shift positions
●When the power switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.
● When the power switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not operating),
the shift position can only be changed to N. The shift position will be
changed to N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and held in that posi-
tion.
● When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be changed from P
to D, N or R.
● When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cannot be
changed from P to another position even if the shift lever is operated. Wait
until the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing to a solid lig\
ht, and then
operate the shift lever again.
● The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.
In addition, if an attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the
shift lever or by pressing the P position switch in any of the following situa-
tions, the buzzer will sound and the shifting operation will be disabled or the
shift position will automatically change to N. When this happens, select an
appropriate shift position.
● Situations where the shifting operation will be disabled:
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another
position by moving the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P or N to B by
moving the shift lever.
● Situations where the shift position will automatically change to N:
• When the P position switch is pressed while the vehicle is running.
*1
• When an attempt is made to select the R position by moving the shift
lever when the vehicle is moving forward.
*2
• When an attempt is made to select the D position by moving the shiftlever when the vehicle is moving in reverse.
*3
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from R to B bymoving the shift lever.
*1: Shift position may be changed to P when driving at extremely low
speeds.
*2: Shift position may be changed to R when driving at low speeds.
*3: Shift position may be changed to D when driving at low speeds.
■ Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
position is in R.
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186
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(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 positi on 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. 541)
■ After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 443
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 577)
Page 187 of 624
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
1874-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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.
■ For the shift lever
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.
■ P position switch
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, directly before stopping the vehicle), the vehicle may stop sud-
denly when the shift position switches to P, which could lead to an accident.
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
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.
● Vehicles without multi-information display:
When the “P LOCK MALFUNCTION W H E N PA R K I N G, PA R K I N F L AT
PLACE AND APPLY PARKING BRAKE SECURELY” warning message
appears on the instrument cluster. ( P. 494)
● Vehicles without multi-information display:
When the parking lock system warning light is illuminated.
● Vehicles with multi-information display:
When the warning message indicating the shift control system appears on
the multi-information display. ( P. 508)
● When everything except the shift position indicator selection frame is illu-
minated.
● When the shift position indicator remains off.
■ Notes regarding shift lever and 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 189 of 624
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Turn signal lever
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The right hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.
Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The left hand signals will flash until
you release the lever.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
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. 158
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
P. 497
■ Usage in winter time
P. 265
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.
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
Headlight switch
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
U.S.A. (type A)The daytime running
lights turn off.
The daytime running
lights turn on. ( P. 194)
The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
( P. 194) and instru-
ment panel lights turn
on.
The headlights and all
the lights listed above
(except daytime running
lights) turn on.
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
U.S.A. (type B)
The daytime running
lights turn off.
The headlights, parking
lights, daytime running
lights (P. 194) and so
on turn on and off auto-
matically (when the
power switch is in ON
mode).
The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
( P. 194) and instru-
ment panel lights turn
on.
The headlights and all
the lights listed above
(except daytime run-
ning lights) turn on.1
2
3
4
(if equipped)