Page 171 of 596

1714-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■ When starting off on a uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( P. 263)
■ For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to conventional vehicles, and it
is necessary to refrain from activities such as sudden accelera tion. (P. 269)
■ 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 r ain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properl y.
■ Restraining the hybrid system o utput (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. 494)
■ Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
● When the following unusual operation is performed, the hybrid s ystem out-
put may be restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted (from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to
R) with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display. (D includes B position) ( P. 494)
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the veh icle is in
reverse.
● While Drive-Start Control is being activated, your vehicle may have trouble
escaping from the mud or fresh snow. In such a case, deactivate TRAC
( P. 264) to cancel Drive-Start Control so that the vehicle may b ecome able
to escape from the mud or fresh snow.
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
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.
Page 174 of 596

1744-1. Before driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippa ge 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.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads m ay prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
■ When shifting the shift lever
● Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is i n a driving posi-
tion, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may result in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving f orward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the ve hicle is moving
backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Shifting the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
hybrid system. Engine braking is not available when N is select ed.
● Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pe dal depressed.
Shifting the shift lever to any position other than P or N may lead to unex-
pected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an acci dent and
result in death or serious injury.
■ If you hear a squealing or scrap ing noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
Page 178 of 596

1784-1. Before driving
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and ho ld it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possibl e to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 502)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. D oing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle i s flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the e ngine, hybrid
transmission, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (whe re possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
Page 182 of 596
1824-1. Before driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant's weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, d o not apply the load unevenly. I mproper
loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.
■Roof molding (if equipped)
Do not install a luggage rack to the roof
molding as the luggage rack may
become disengaged while driving, pos-
sibly leading to an accident.
Page 183 of 596
1834-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): (P. 5 3 4 )
Total load capacity means the co mbined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the max imum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towi ng a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading inform ation label.
( P. 442)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capaci ty,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering
and braking ability, res ulting in an accident.
Page 187 of 596
1874-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
“LOCK”
The steering wheel is locked and
the key can be removed. (The key
can be removed only when the
shift lever is in P.)
“ACC”
Some electrical components such
as the power outlet can be used.
“ON”
All electrical components can be used.
“START”
For starting the hybrid system.
■Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
Shift the shift lever to P.
■ Sounds and vibrations sp ecific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 78
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driv ing con-
ditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READ Y” indicator
may be long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “READY” indic ator is steady
on, as steady means the vehicle is able to move.
Changing the power switch positions
1
2
3
4
1
Push in the key and turn it to the
“LOCK” position.2
Page 188 of 596

1884-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U■
If the hybrid system does not star t (vehicles with immobilizer system)
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 86)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even a fter perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact you r Toyota dealer
immediately.
■ If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 486
■ Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the power switch is in the
“LOCK” or “ACC” position to remind you to remove the key. When starting the hybrid system, the
power switch may seem stuck in the
“LOCK” position. To free it, turn the key
while turning the steering wheel slightly
left and right.
WARNING
■ When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s se at. 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 in jury.
■ Caution when driving
Do not turn the power switch to the “LOCK” position while drivi ng. If, in an
emergency, you must turn the hybrid system off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the power switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the hy brid system.
An accident may result if the hybrid system is stopped while dr iving.
( P. 467)