2018 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Owners Manual

3375-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
5
Driving
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. (P. 364)
Shift the shift position to P. (P. 358)
Check that the shift position indicator shows P.
Press the power switch to stop the hybrid system.
Slowly release the brake pedal.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on your
person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Firmly set the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed, and
then shift the shift position to D.
Release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. (P. 518)
■For electricity-saving and fuel-efficient driving
Understand the system characteristics of the vehicle to use the functions of
the hybrid system. Also, keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to con-
ventional vehicles, and it is necessary to refrain from activities such as sud-
den acceleration. Refer to “Plug-in hybrid vehicle driving tips” (P. 116).
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
Parking the vehicle
Starting off on a steep uphill
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3385-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)■Restraining hybrid system output (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. (P. 686)
■“ECO Accelerator Guidance” (P. 232)
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 start (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/B, D/B to R, N to R, P to D/
B
*, 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 instruc-
tions.
• 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 TRC
(P. 520) to cancel Drive Start Control so that the vehicle may become
able to escape from the mud or fresh snow.
*: Depending on the situation, the shift position may not be changed.

3395-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
5
Driving
■Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
●For the first 300 km (200 miles):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 1000 km (600 miles):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. (P. 728)
■For efficient use
●Shift the shift position to D when driving.
In the N position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be gen-
erated. The hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, requiring unnec-
essary engine power to charge.
●Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and decel-
eration will make more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor)
without having to use gasoline engine power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration.
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving with
the accelerator pedal slightly released.
●Shift the shift position to P when parking.
In the N position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not charge. Leav-
ing the shift position in the N position for an extended period of time may
discharge the hybrid battery (traction battery). The vehicle cannot run if the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is discharged.

3405-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
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 accel-
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.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials
such as leaves, paper or rags.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. 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.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: P. 663

3415-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
5
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Use engine braking (shift position B instead of shift position D) to maintain
a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 3 5 8 )
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
● After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the
brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.

3425-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When shifting the shift position
● Do not let the vehicle roll backward while a forward driving position is
selected, or roll forward while the shift position is in R.
Doing so may result in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● Do not shift the shift position to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift position to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift position to a driving position while the vehicle is mov-
ing backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Moving the shift position to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage
the hybrid system. Engine braking is not available with the hybrid system
disengaged.
● Be careful not to change the shift position with the accelerator pedal
depressed.
Changing the shift position to any position other than P or N may lead to
unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident
and result in death or serious injury.
After changing the shift position, make sure to confirm the current shift
position displayed on the shift position indicator inside the meter.

3435-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(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
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer 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.

3445-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47C99E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and
plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift position to P, stop the hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
If the vehicle is parked with the shift position in P but the parking brake is
not set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the “READY” indicator is illuminated
or immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.