
3
1
9 8 6 5
4
3
2
PRIUS c_U
10
7
4-1.  Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 170
Cargo and luggage............ 179
Vehicle load limits ............. 183
Trailer towing..................... 184
Dinghy towing.................... 185
4-2.  Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch (vehicles without a 
smart key system) ........... 186
Power (ignition) switch  (vehicles with a 
smart key system) ........... 190
EV drive mode................... 197
Hybrid transmission........... 200
Turn signal lever................ 204
Parking brake .................... 205
4-3.  Operating the lights  and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 206
Fog light switch ................. 210
Windshield wipers  and washer ..................... 212
Rear window wiper  and washer ..................... 216 4-4.  Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap ........................... 219
4-5.  Toyota Safety Sense C Toyota Safety Sense C...... 223
PCS (Pre-Collision System)..... 229
LDA  (Lane Departure Alert)..... 239
Automatic High Beam ........ 244
4-6.  Using the driving  support systems
Cruise control .................... 249
Rear view monitor  system ............................. 253
Driving assist systems ....... 263
4-7.  Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips ....................... 269
Winter driving tips .............. 272
4Driving 

10
PRIUS c_UThe vehicle is equipped with sophisticated computers that will 
record certain
data, such as:
The  recorded  data  varies  according  to  the  vehicle  grade  level  and  options
with which it is equipped.
These  computers  do  not  record  conversations  or  sounds,  and  only  record
images outside of the vehicle in certain situations.
• Engine speed/Electric motor speed (traction motor speed)
• Accelerator status
• Brake status
• Vehicle speed
• Operation status of the driving assist systems, such as the AB S and pre-
collision system 
• Images  from  the  front  camera  (available  only  when  certain  safe ty  sys-
tems  are  activated,  which  varies  depending  on  the  vehicle  speci fica-
tions).
●Data Transmission
Your  vehicle  may  transmit  the  data  recorded  in  these  computers  to Toyota
without notification to you.
●Data usage
Toyota  may  use  the  data  recorded  in  this  computer  to  diagnose  m alfunc-
tions, conduct research and development, and improve quality.
Toyota will not disclose the recorded data to a third party exc ept:
• With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if the vehicle is leased
• In response to an official request by the police, a court of l aw or a govern-
ment agency
• For use by Toyota in a lawsuit
• For  research  purposes  where the  data is not  tied to  a  specific   vehicle  or
vehicle owner
●Recorded image information can be erased by your Toyota dealer.
The  image  recording  function  can  be  disabled.  However,  if  the  f unction  is
disabled,  data  from  when  the  pre-collision  system  operates  will  not  be
available.
●To  learn  more  about  the  vehicle  data  collected,  used  and  shared  by Toy-
ota, please visit www.toyota.com/privacyvts/
.
Vehicle data recording 

781-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U■
Sounds and vibrations sp ecific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehic le is able to
move with the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For safety, app ly the parking
brake and make sure to shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The  following  sounds  or  vibrations  may  occur  when  the  hybrid  sy stem  is
operating and are not a malfunction:
● Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds  may  be  heard  from  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  under  the
rear seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Relay operating sounds such as a snap or soft clank will be emi tted from the
hybrid  battery  (traction  battery),  under  the  rear  seats,  when  the  hybrid  sys-
tem is started or stopped.
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is open.
● Sounds  may  be  heard  from  the  transmission  when  the  gasoline  engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake  pedal is
depressed or as the accelerator pedal is released.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent on the side of the
lower part of the rear left seat.
■ Vehicle Proximity Notification System
In  the  following  cases,  the  Vehicle  Proximity  Notification  Syst em  sound  may
be difficult for pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles
in the surrounding area to hear:
● When there is a lot of noise in the vicinity 
● When it is raining or during strong winds
● When in the area surrounding the rear of the vehicle, rather than in front of
the vehicle
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recyc ling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■ Customization that can be configured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. the volume of Vehicle Proximity Notification System sound) can
be changed. (Customizable features:  P. 558) 

169
4Driving
PRIUS c_U4-1.  Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 170
Cargo and luggage ........... 179
Vehicle load limits ............. 183
Trailer towing..................... 184
Dinghy towing ................... 185
4-2.  Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch (vehicles without a 
smart key system) ........... 186
Power (ignition) switch  (vehicles with a 
smart key system) ........... 190
EV drive mode .................. 197
Hybrid transmission........... 200
Turn signal lever................ 204
Parking brake .................... 205
4-3.  Operating the ligh ts
and wipers
H eadlight switch ................ 206
Fog light switch ................. 210
Windshield wipers  and washer ..................... 212
Rear window wiper  and washer ..................... 216 4-4.  Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap .......................... 219
4-5.  Toyota Safety Sense C Toyota Safety Sense C ..... 223
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .... 229
LDA  (Lane Departure Alert) .... 239
Automatic High Beam ....... 244
4-6.  U sing the driving
s upport systems
Cruise control .................... 249
Rear view monitor  system ............................ 253
Driving assist systems ...... 263
4-7.  Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips ....................... 269
Winter driving tips ............. 272 

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. 

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. 

2004-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U
Vehicles  without  a  smart  key  system:  While  the  power  switch
is  in  the  “ON”  position,  move  the  shift  lever  with  the  brake
pedal depressed.
Vehicles with a smart key system: While the power switch is in
ON  mode,  move  the  shift  lever  with  the  brake  pedal
depressed.
When shifting from P to another position; from D to R or P; or  from R
to P, D or B; ensure that the brake pedal is being depressed an d the
vehicle is stationary.
Hybrid transmission
Shifting the shift lever 

4117-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
Brakes
• The  vehicle  should  not  pull  to  one  side  whenthe brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The  brake  pedal  should  not  get  too  close  to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints
(Adjustable type)• Do  the  head  restraints  move  smoothly  andlock securely?
Hybrid  transmission
“Park” mechanism• When  parked  on  a  slope  and  the  parkingbrake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers• Do  the  indicators  and  buzzers  function  prop-erly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does  the  parking  brake  lever  operate  nor-mally?
• When  parked  on  a  slope  and  the  parking
brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does  the  steering  wheel  have  the  correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.
ItemsCheck points