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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B78U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system cannot be started.
When the shift position is N, the hybrid system cannot start. Shift the shift
position to P when starting the hybrid system. ( P. 176)
Press the power switch shortly
and firmly.
When operating the power switch,
one short, firm press is enough.
It is not necessary to press and
hold the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the “READY” indicator
is illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started
from any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light and
the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if the engine
is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops automatically in accor-
dance with the state of the vehicle.)
Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the hybrid system or changes
power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B78U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.
● If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-information display the hybrid
system is not off. When exiting the vehicle, always check that the power
switch is off.
■ When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B78U_(U)
1774-2. 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 light, 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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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B78U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
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_OM47B78U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
The daytime running
lights turn on.
(P. 183)
The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
instrument panel lights,
and daytime running
lights ( P. 183) turn
on.
The headlights and all
lights listed above
(except daytime run-
ning lights) turn on.
The headlights, parking
lights, daytime running
lights ( P. 183) and so
on turn on and off auto-
matically (when the
power switch is in ON
mode).1
2
3
4
(if equipped)
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B78U_(U)
1834-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to turn
on the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once.
You can flash the high beams with the headlights on or off.
■Daytime running light system
●Vehicles with halogen headlights: The daytime running lights illuminate
using the same lights as the high beam lights and illuminate dimmer than
the high beam lights.
● Vehicles with LED headlights: The daytime running lights illuminate using
the same lights as the headlights and illuminate dimmer than the headlights.
● To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving,
the daytime running lights turn on automatically when all of the following
conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designed for use at
night.)
• The hybrid system is operating
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the , or “AUTO”
* position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the park-
ing brake is set again.
● Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.
■ Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the
windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.
Air conditioning operation may also be
interrupted.
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B78U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after a door is opened and closed if the power switch is turned to
ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The lights turn off immediately if on
the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
● When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and the driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light
switch off once and then back to or .
■ Automatic headlight leveling system (Vehicles with LED headlights)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the
headlights do not interfere with other road users.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 559)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B78U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
Automatic High Beam
Push the lever away from you
with the headlight switch in
or position.
Press the Automatic High
Beam switch.
The Automatic High Beam indica-
tor will come on when the head-
lights are turned on automatically
to indicate that the system is
active.
The Automatic High Beam uses an in-vehicle camera sensor to
assess the brightness of streetlights, the lights of oncoming and
preceding vehicles, etc., and automatically turns high beam on
or off as necessary.
Activating the Automatic High Beam system
1
2