Page 99 of 596

992. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted by turn-
ing the dial.
Brighter
Darker
■The meters and multi-informat ion display illuminate when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The power switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The power switch is in ON mode.
■ The brightness of the instrument panel lights
When  the  tail  lights  are  turned  on,  the  brightness  will  be  redu ced  slightly
unless the control dial is turned up fully.
■ Outside temperature display
●In  the  following  situations,  the  correct  outside  temperature  ma y  not  be  dis-
played, or the display may take longer than normal to change.
• When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 16 mph [25 k m/h])
• When  the  outside  temperature  has  changed  suddenly  (at  the  entr ance/
exit of a garage, tunnel, etc.) 
● When “ ” or “E” is displayed, the system may be malfunctioning.
Take your vehicle to your Toyota dealer.
■ Engine speed
On  hybrid  vehicles,  engine  speed  is  precisely  controlled  in  ord er  to  help
improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions etc.
There  are  times  when  the  engine  speed  that  is  displayed  may  dif fer  even
when vehicle operation and driving conditions are the same.
■ Unit of measure of the sp eedometer (on some models)
P. 106
Instrument panel light control
1
2 
     
        
        Page 100 of 596
1002. Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
This  vehicle  is  not  installed  with  an  engine  coolant  temperatur e  gauge.
Instead,    is  shown  on  the  multi-information  display.  The  engine  may
be  overheating  if    is  shown  on  the  multi-information  display.  I n  this
case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. ( P. 526) 
     
        
        Page 108 of 596
1082. Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U■
Hybrid System Indicator
Hybrid Eco area
Shows that gasoline engine power is not being used very often.
The gasoline engine will automatically stop and restart under v arious condi-
tions.
Eco area
Shows that the vehicle is being driven in an Eco-friendly manne r.
Power area
Shows  that  the  driving  power  is  more  than  the  upper  limit  of  Eco  driving.
(during full power driving etc.)
Keeping the indicator within Eco area can help Eco-friendly dri ving.
■ Trip summary displayCharge area
Shows  energy  regeneration
*  status.
Regenerated  energy  will  be  used  to
charge  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  bat-
tery).
*: When  used  in  this  manual,  “regenera-
tion” refers to the conversion of energy
created by the movement of the vehicle
into electrical energy.
1
2
3
4
When  the  hybrid  system  is  turned  off,
drive  information  data  since  the  system
was  started  is  displayed  after  the  ending
animation.
When the doors are locked, the screen
turns off.  
     
        
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1092. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Eco score
Eco  score  should  be  used  as  a  guide  only.  Always  drive  safely  i n  accor-
dance with road and traffic conditions.
■ The information display at low temperatures
Allow  the  interior  of  the  vehicle  to  warm  up  before  using  the  liquid  crystal
information display. At extremely low temperatures, the display  monitor may
respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed. 
For  example,  there  is  a  lag  between  the  driver’s  shifting  and  t he  new  gear
number  appearing  on  the  display. This  lag  could  cause  the  drive r  to  down-
shift  again,  causing  rapid  and  excessive  engine  braking  and  pos sibly  an
accident resulting in death or injury.
■ Cautions during setting up the display
As  the  hybrid  system  needs  to  be  running  during  setting  up  the  display,
ensure  that  the  vehicle  is  parked  in  a  place  with  adequate  vent ilation.  In  a
closed  area  such  as  a  garage,  exhaust  gases  including  harmful  c arbon
monoxide (CO) may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead  to death or
a serious health hazard.
NOTICE
■ During setting up the display
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge, ensure that the hybrid sy stem is oper-
ating while setting up the display features. 
     
        
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1112. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_UAudio system
Multi-information 
display
When the vehicle is powered by t he electric motor (traction motor)
When the vehicle is powered by the gasoline engine
When  the  vehicle  is  powered  by  both  the  gasoline  engine  and  the  electric
motor (traction motor)
When the vehicle is charging the hybrid battery (traction batte ry) 
     
        
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1152. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U
P.   1 0 3
■Remaining hybrid battery (traction battery) charge display
The  charge  amount  of  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  is  a utomatically
controlled  by  the  hybrid  system.  For  this  reason,  even  if  electricity  is  recov-
ered via the  regenerative  braking,  or electricity  is  generated  via  the  gasoline
engine, the displayed hybrid battery (traction battery) charge  amount may not
reach  the  highest  level  (level  8).  However,  this  does  not  indic ate  a  malfunc-
tion.
■ Resetting the consumption data (audio system)
Selecting “Clear” on the “Trip Information” screen will reset t he fuel consump-
tion and the regenerated energy for the past 15 minutes. Select ing “Clear” on
the  “Past  Record”  screen  will  reset  the  past  records  and  best  past  fuel  con-
sumption. Selecting “Yes” on the  following  screen  will  confirm  resetting  of all
the data.
■ Updating the past record data (audio system)
Selecting  “Update”  on  the  “Past  Record”  screen  will  update  the  past  record
data.
Fuel consumption screen (Multi-information display) 
     
        
        Page 172 of 596

1724-1. Before driving
PRIUS c_U■
Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following prec autions is recom-
mended:
● For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• 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. 536)
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 creepi ng.
■ 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  b rake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an ac cident.
• 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  t he
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  v ehicle  is
powered only  by the electric  motor (traction motor). As there i s  no engine
noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The  exhaust  system  and  exhaust  gases  can  be  extremely  hot. Thes e  hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearb y. 
     
        
        Page 173 of 596

1734-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turni ng the hybrid
system  off  while  driving  will  not  cause  loss  of  steering  or  bra king  control,
however,  power  assist  to  the  steering  will  be  lost.  This  will  m ake  it  more
difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop t he 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. 467
● Use  engine  braking  (shift  position  B)  to  maintain  a  safe  speed  when  driv-
ing down a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat  and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 200)
● 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.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal sp eed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicl e has high-
speed  capability  tires.  Driving  over  85  mph  (140  km/h)  may  resu lt  in  tire
failure,  loss  of  control  and  possible  injury.  Be  sure  to  consult  a  tire  dealer
to  determine  whether  the  tires  on  your  vehicle  are  high-speed  c apability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.