
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
2354-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■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. 726
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. 665)
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_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
2414-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usuallybe used.
→ P. 3 2 4
■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 illu-
minated 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 down-
ward slopes etc.
Selecting a driving mode
P position switch

PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
2434-2. 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 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 (if equipped).
• 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 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. 729)
■ 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. 6 1 1

308
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-
vehicle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance switch.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed
appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically
decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is
necessary, the system applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at
this time). The system will respond to changes in the speed of the vehicle
ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver.
Approach warning warns you when the system cannot decelerate suffi-
ciently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your vehicle will also stop (vehicle is
stopped by system control). After the vehicle ahead starts off, pushing the
cruise control lever up or depressing the accelerator pedal will resume fol-
low-up cruising.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower
than the set speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then
returns to constant speed cruising.
1
2
3

312
PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
After the vehicle ahead of you
starts off, push the lever up.
Your vehicle will also resume fol-
low-up cruising if the accelerator
pedal is depressed after the vehi-
cle ahead of you starts off.
Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the speed control.
The speed control is also canceled
when the brake pedal is
depressed.
(When the vehicle has been
stopped by system control,
depressing the brake pedal does
not cancel the setting.)
Pushing the lever up resumes the cruise control and returns vehicle
speed to the set speed.
However, when a vehicle ahead is not detected, cruise control does not
resume when the vehicle speed is approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or less.
Resuming follow-up cruising when the vehicle has been stopped
by system control (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode)
Canceling and resuming the speed control
1
2

PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
3154-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range can be set when
● The shift position is in D.
● Vehicle speed is at or above approximately 30 mph (50 km/h).
However, when a preceding vehicle is detected, the dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range can be set even if the vehicle speed is below
approximately 30 mph (50 km/h).
■ Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
The vehicle can accelerate by operating the accelerator pedal. After acceler-
ating, the set speed resumes. However, during vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode, the vehicle speed may decrease below the set speed in order
to maintain the distance to the preceding vehicle.
■ When the vehicle stops while follow-up cruising
●Pushing the lever up while the vehicle ahead stops will resume follow-up
cruising if the vehicle ahead starts off within approximately 3 seconds after
the switch is pressed.
● If the vehicle ahead starts off within 3 seconds after your vehicle stops, fol-
low-up cruising will be resumed.
■ Automatic cancelation of vehicle-t o-vehicle distance control mode
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode is automatically canceled in the fol-
lowing situations.
● Actual vehicle speed falls at or below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) when
there are no vehicles ahead.
● The preceding vehicle leaves the lane when your vehicle is following at a
vehicle speed at or below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h). Otherwise, the
sensor can not properly detect the vehicle.
● VSC is activated.
● TRAC is activated for a period of time.
● When the VSC or TRAC system is turned off.
● The sensor cannot detect correctly because it is covered in some way.
● Pre-collision braking is activated.
● Intelligent Clearance Sonar is operated. (if equipped)
● The parking brake is operated.
● The vehicle is stopped by system control on a steep incline.

PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
3334-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Conditions under which the Blind Spot Monitor function may not func-
tion correctly
●The Blind Spot Monitor function may not detect vehicles correctly in the fol-
lowing situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its
surrounding area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is covering the sensor or surround- ing area on the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet with standing water during bad
weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When multiple vehicles are approaching with only a small gap between each vehicle
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short
• When there is a significant difference in speed between your vehicle and the vehicle that enters the detection area
• When the difference in speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is changing
• When a vehicle enters a detection area traveling at about the same
speed as your vehicle
• As your vehicle starts from a stop, a vehicle remains in the detection area
• When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips
in the road, etc.
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When vehicle lanes are wide, or when driving on the edge of a lane, and the vehicle in an adjacent lane is far away from your vehicle
• When a bicycle carrier or other accessory is installed to the rear of the vehicle
• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and
the vehicle that enters the detection area
• Immediately after the Blind Spot Monitor main switch is turned on
● Instances of the Blind Spot Monitor function unnecessarily detecting a vehi-
cle and/or object may increase in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its
surrounding area
• When the distance between your vehicle and a guardrail, wall, etc. that
enters the detection area is short
• When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips in the road, etc.
• When vehicle lanes are narrow, or when driving on the edge of a lane, and a vehicle traveling in a lane other than the adjacent lanes enters the
detection area
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When the tires are slipping or spinning
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short
• When a bicycle carrier or other accessory is installed to the rear of the vehicle

PRIUS_OM_OM47B89U_(U)
3554-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Operation starting conditions
When the ICS OFF indi cator is not illuminated or flashing ( →P. 360,
684) and all of the following conditions are met, the system operates.
Hybrid system output restriction control
● The Intelligent Clearance Sonar is on.
● The vehicle speed is 10 mph (15 km/h) or less.
● There is an obstacle in the trav eling direction of the vehicle (6
to 13 ft. [2 to 4 m ahead]).
● The system determined that a stronger-than-normal brake
operation was necessar y to avoid a collision.
Brake control
●Hybrid system output restrict ion control is being performed.
● The system determined that an emergency brake operation
was necessary to avoid a collision.
■Operation ending conditions
In any of the following situations, the system stops operating.
Hybrid system output restriction control
● The Intelligent Clearance Sonar function has been turned off
(stopped).
● The collision became avoidable with normal brake operation.
● The obstacle is no longer in th e traveling direction of the vehi-
cle (6 to 13 ft. [2 to 4 m ahead]).
Brake control
● The Intelligent Clearance Sonar function has been turned off
(stopped).
● Approximately 2 seconds elap sed after the vehicle was
stopped by brake control.
● The brake pedal was depressed after the vehicle was stopped
by brake control.
● The obstacle is no longer in th e traveling direction of the vehi-
cle (6 to 13 ft. [2 to 4 m ahead]).
Operation conditions