2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
■ To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to se t the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of t he brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift le ver is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to a n accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■ Hybrid battery (tract ion battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction batter y) will not be
charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehi cle is left
with the shift lever in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction
battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to
start.
2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
To set the parking brake, fully
pull the parking brake lever
while depressing the brake
pedal.
To release the parking brake,
slightly raise the lever and
lower it completely while press-
ing the button.
■Parking the vehicle
P. 170
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of appr oximately 3 mph
(5 km/h) or more with the parking brake engaged. ( P. 478, 489)
■ Usage in winter time
P. 272
Parking brake
Operating instructions
U.S.A. Canada
1
2
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to bra ke components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
2084-3. Operating the lights and wipers
PRIUS c_U
■Daytime running light system
●The daytime running lights illuminate using the same lights as the headlights
and illuminate darker than the headlights.
● Type A: To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime
driving, the daytime running lights turn on automatically when all of the fol-
lowing conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designed for
use at night.)
• The hybrid system is started
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the or position
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the parking
brake is set again.
● Type B: To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime
driving, the daytime running lights turn on automatically when all of the fol-
lowing conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designed for
use at night.)
• The hybrid system is started
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the or position
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the parking
brake is set again.
● For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by ope rating the
switch.
● Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running ligh t system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.
■ Automatic light off system
Vehicles without a smart key system
● When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after the power switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” po sition and a
door is opened and closed. (Vehicles with a wireless remote con trol: The
lights turn off immediately if on the key is pressed after all the doors
are locked.)
● When only the tail lights are on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and the driver’s door
is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to “ON” posi tion, or turn the
light switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is kept open, the lights automatically turn off
after 20 minutes.
2614-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■When using the rear view monitor system
The rear view monitor system is a supplemental device intended to assist
the driver when backing up. When backing up, be sure to visually check all
around the vehicle both directly and using the mirrors before p roceeding. If
you do not, you may hit another vehicle, and could possibly cau se an acci-
dent.
Pay attention to the following precautions when using the rear view monitor
system.
● Never depend on the rear view monitor system entirely when back ing up.
The image and the position of the guide lines displayed on the screen may
differ from the actual state.
Use caution, just as you would when backing up any vehicle.
● Be sure to back up slowly, depressing the brake pedal to contro l vehicle
speed.
● The instructions given are only guidelines.
When and how much to turn the steering wheel will vary accordin g to traf-
fic conditions, road surface conditions, vehicle condition, etc . when park-
ing. It is necessary to be fully aware of this before using the rear view
monitor system.
● When parking, be sure to check that the parking space will acco mmodate
your vehicle before maneuvering into it.
● Do not use the rear view monitor system in the following cases:
• On icy or slick road surfaces, or in snow
• When using tire chains or the compact spare tire
• When the back door is not closed completely
• On roads that are not flat or straight, such as curves or slop es.
● In low temperatures, the screen may darken or the image may bec ome
faint. The image could distort when the vehicle is moving, or y ou may
become unable to see the image on the screen. Be sure to visual ly check
all around the vehicle both directly and using the mirrors befo re proceed-
ing.
● If the tire sizes are changed, the position of the fixed guide lines displayed
on the screen may change.
● The camera uses a special lens. The distances between objects a nd
pedestrians that appear in the image displayed on the screen wi ll differ
from the actual distances. ( P. 256)
2654-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
■Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems
To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off, press and hold for more than 3
seconds while the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on and the “TRAC OFF” wil l be shown
on the multi-information display.
*
Press again to turn the system back on.
*: When the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, pre-collision brake assist
and pre-collision braking will be disabled and the PCS warning light will illu-
minate. ( P. 238)
■ When the message is displayed on the multi-information display show-
ing that TRAC has been disab led even if has not been pressed
TRAC cannot be operated. Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assi st control will
operate:
● The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline)
● The vehicle is stopped
● The accelerator pedal is not depressed
● The parking brake is not engaged
■ Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the follo wing situations:
● The shift lever is shifted to P or N
● The accelerator pedal is depressed
● The parking brake is engaged
● 2 seconds at maximum elapsed after the brake pedal is released
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and
hill-start assist control systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is depressed repeatedly, when the hybrid system is started or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a mal function has
occurred in any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above system s are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occur red.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard also after the vehicle comes to a s top.
2674-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (suc h as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or s lick roads.
■ 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, espe cially 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/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while drivi ng on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and p ower may be
lost.
■ Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
● Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start ass ist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered wit h ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not inte nded 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 TRAC/ABS/VSC are 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 systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the r oad condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stabilit y and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.
269
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
4-7. Driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accel-
erator pedal depression amount can be generated more smoothly
than it is in normal conditions. In addition, the operation of the air
conditioning system (heating/coo ling) will be minimized, improving
the fuel economy. ( P. 201)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the needle of H ybrid
System Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 108)
◆Shift lever operation
Shift the shift lever to D when stopped at a traffic light, or driving in
heavy traffic etc. Shift the shift lever to P when parking. When using
the N, there is no positive effe ct on fuel consumption. In the N, the
gasoline engine operates but e lectricity cannot be generated. A lso,
when using the air conditioning s ystem, etc., the hybrid battery
(traction battery) power is consumed.
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
● Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid abrupt acceleration and
deceleration. Gradual accelerat ion and deceleration will make
more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) witho ut
having to use gaso line engine power.
● Avoid repeated acceleration. Repeated acceleration consumes
hybrid battery (tracti on battery) power, resulting in poor fuel con-
sumption. Battery power can be restored by driving with the
accelerator pedal slightly released.
◆When braking
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and in a timely manner. A
greater amount of electrical energy can be regenerated when slow-
ing down.
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological dri ving, pay attention to the fol-
lowing points:
2734-7. Driving tips
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
●Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the
parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from
being released. If the vehicle is parked without setting the pa rking
brake, make sure t o block the wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerou s because it may cause the vehi-
cle to move unexpectedly, pos sibly leading to an accident.
● If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, confirm
that the shift lever c annot be moved out of P
*.
*: The shift lever will be locked if it is attempted to be shifte d from P to any
other position without depressing the brake pedal. If the shift lever can be
shifted from P, there may be a problem with the shift lock syst em. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. Chain
size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
(0.12 in. [3.0 mm] in diameter)
Cross chain
(0.16 in. [4.0 mm] in diameter)
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Always chec k local regulations before installing
chains.
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
1
2
Regulations on the use of tire chains