
160
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY”
indicator is illuminated. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and ac\
cel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelera-
tor pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is
powered only by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine
noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement. Even
though the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle proximity notification sys-
tem, drive with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not notice the
vehicle if the surrounding area is noisy.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.

PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
2194-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Pressing the button changes the vehi cle-to-vehicle distance as fol-
lows:
Long
Medium
Short
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance is
set automatically to long mode
when the power switch is turned to
ON mode.
If a vehicle is running ahead of
you, the preceding vehicle mark
will also be displayed.
Select a distance from the table below. Note that the distances shown
correspond to a vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). Vehicle-to-vehicle
distance increases/decreases in accordance with vehicle speed.
Changing the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
Preceding vehicle mark
1
2
3
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance settings
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 160 ft. (50 m)
MediumApproximately 130 ft. (40 m)
ShortApproximately 100 ft. (30 m)

PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
2354-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
■Before using the LDA
Do not over rely on the LDA. The LDA does not drive the vehicle automati-
cally, nor does it reduce the amount of care you need to take. As such, the
driver must always assume full responsibility for understanding his/her sur-
roundings, for operating the steering wheel to correct the driving line, and
for driving safely. Also, take occasional rests from fatigue due to driving over
long periods of time, etc.
Inappropriate or negligent driving could lead to an unexpected accident.
■ To avoid operating the LDA by mistake
Switch the LDA off using the LDA switch when not in use. ( P. 230)
■ Situations unsuitable for LDA
Do not use the LDA in any of the following situations.
Otherwise, the system may not function correctly and could result in an
accident.
●When driving with tire chains, a spare tire, or similar equipment
● When there are objects or structures along the roadside that might be mis-
interpreted as lane markers (such as guardrails, a curb, reflector posts,
etc.)
● When driving on snowy roads
● When pavement lane markers are difficult to see due to rain, snow, fog,
sand, dirt, etc.
● When there are visible lines on the pavement from road repairs, or if the
remains of old lane markers are still visible on the road
● When driving through construction areas

247
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Driving mode select switch
Eco drive mode*
Suitable for improving the fuel
economy, because the torque cor-
responding to the accelerator
pedal depression amount can be
generated more smoothly than it is
in normal conditions and the oper-
ation of the air conditioning system
(heating/cooling) will be minimized.
When the “ECO” switch is pressed, the “ECO MODE” indicator comes on
in the instrument cluster.
Power mode*
Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable, such as when
driving in mountainous regions or when overtaking.
When the “PWR” switch is pressed, the “PWR MODE” indicator comes on
in the instrument cluster.
*: When Eco drive mode and power mode are canceled, the system uses
normal mode for optimal everyday driving.
■ Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency ( P. 371). To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ When canceling Eco drive mode/power mode
●Press the switch again. Also, power mode will be canceled automatically
when the power switch is turned off. However, Eco drive mode will not be
canceled automatically until the switch is pressed, even if the power switch
is turned off.
● When in Eco drive mode, if the “PWR” switch is pressed or the operation is
reversed, the mode will switch to that of the last switch to be pressed.
■ Switching the drive mode when in EV drive mode
P. 182
The driving modes can be selected to suit driving conditions.
1
2

248
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving assist systems
◆ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)
The electronically controlled system generates braking force corre-
sponding to the brake operation
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal
is depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or
turning on slippery road surfaces
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from
spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to redu ce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
◆Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Ve hicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional st ability when swerving on slippery
road surfaces by controllin g steering performance.
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following
systems operate automatically in response to various driving
situations. Be aware, however, that these systems are supple-
mentary and should not be relied upon too heavily when operat-
ing the vehicle.

PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
2534-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the
following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■ TRAC may not operat e effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be
lost.
■ Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
●Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control
may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC syst em is turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. As this is the system to help ensure vehicle stability and driving force,
do not turn the TRAC/VSC system off unless necessary.

256
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Changing the alert timing of the pre-collision system
Each time the PCS switch is
pressed, the response to the
distance changes as follows.
Far
Middle
*
Near
*: Default setting
■
Turning off the pre-collision system
Press the PCS switch for 3 sec-
onds or more seconds.
The PCS warning light turns on
and a message is shown on the
multi-information display.
To turn on the system, press the
PCS switch again. The system
is set to ON each time the power
switch is turned to ON mode.
Changing the pre-collision system
1
2
3

260
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B23U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
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
damage or injuries in all cases. Do not overly rely on this system. Failure to
do so may cause an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
This system has been designed to help avoid and reduce the impact of col-
lisions. However, the system operates differently depending on the situation
(P. 257, 258).
As a result, the same level of performance may not be expected in all
cases. Also, the pre-collision brakes may not operate if the driver is
depressing the brake pedal or turning the steering wheel, as the system will
determine such conditions as collision avoidance operations.
■ Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the pre-collision system can function effec-
tively.
Otherwise, the system may not function correctly and could result in an
accident.
●Keep the sensor and grille cover clean at all times.
Clean the sensor and grille cover with a soft cloth so you do not mark or
damage them.
● Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may become
inaccurate or malfunction. If the sensor or surrounding area is subject to a
strong impact, always have the area inspected and adjusted by your
Toyota dealer.
● Do not disassemble the sensor.
● Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille cover or sur-
rounding area.
● Do not modify or paint the sensor and grille cover.
● If the sensor needs to be replaced, contact your Toyota dealer.