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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
5
Driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 716
Total load capacity means the co mbined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: 4 occupants (Front 2, Rear 2)
Seating capacity means the max imum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 1 50 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. 609)
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.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
■Meter display
When the power switch is turned off, each display will turn off as follows.
● The shift position indicator will turn off after approximately 2 seconds.
● The multi-information display, clock, etc. will turn off after approximately 30
seconds.
(Each display will also turn off immediately if a door is locke d before 30 sec-
onds has elapsed.)
■ If the smart key system has been d eactivated in a customized setting
P. 698
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.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
● If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while dri ving the
vehicle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 second s, or
press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 651)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cau se loss of
steering or braking control, however, power assist to the steer ing will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so yo u should pull
over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
● If the power switch is operated while the vehicle is running, a warning
message will be shown on the multi-information display and a bu zzer
sounds.
● When restarting the hybrid system after an emergency shutdown w hile
driving, press the power switch. When restarting the hybrid sys tem after
stopping the vehicle, change the shift position to P and then press the
power switch.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
3415-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
■Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
position is in R.
■ Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
P. 316
■ Automatic P position selection function
●If the power switch is on and the shift position is not already P, completely
stopping the vehicle and pressing the power switch causes the s hift position
to automatically switch to P and the power switch to turn off.
*
● The shift position may also automatically switch to P if one of the following
conditions is detected while the vehicle is stopped by dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range.
• Driver’s seat belt is not fastened
• Driver’s door is opened
• Approximately 3 minutes elapse after the vehicle stopped
*: If the power switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for exam-
ple, just before the vehicle stops), the shift position may automatically
switch to P. Press the power switch after completely stopping t he vehicle to
prevent unexpected sudden stopping of the vehicle.
■ If the shift position cannot be shifted from P
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery is discharged. Check the 12-volt
battery in this situation. ( P. 701)
■ About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pe dal will apply
engine braking.
● When the vehicle is driven at high speeds, compared to ordinary gasoline-
fueled vehicles, the engine braking deceleration is felt less t han that of other
vehicles.
● The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is se lected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel e fficiency will
become low. Usually, select the D position.
■ After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 594
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
■When a message related to shift op erations is displayed on the multi-
information display
When the shift position does not switch due to a mistaken opera tion, system
conditions, etc., or when the attempted shift operation is invalid, a message
indicating the correct operation or the reason why switching cannot be per-
formed is shown on the multi-information display. In these case s, follow the
instructions and retry the operation.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 739)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift the shift position suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
■ Shift lever and P position switch
● Do not remove the shift lever knob or use anything but a genuin e Toyota
shift lever knob. Also, do not hang anything on the shift lever .
Doing so could prevent the shift lever from returning to positi on, causing
unexpected accidents to occur when the vehicle is in motion.
● Do not press the P position switch while the vehicle is moving.
If the P position switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for
example, just before the vehicle stops), the vehicle may stop suddenly
when the shift position switches to P, which could lead to an a ccident.
● In order to prevent the shift position from accidentally being changed, do
not touch the shift lever or P position switch when not using t hem.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
3435-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (tract ion battery) charge
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction bat tery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid leaving the N
position selected for an extended period of time.
■ Situations where shift control system malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs, shift control system malfunctions
are possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, a pply the park-
ing brake, and then contact your Toyota dealer.
● When the warning message indicating the shift control system ap pears on
the multi-information display. ( P. 671)
● The display indicates that no shift position is selected for mo re than a few
seconds.
■ Notes regarding shift lever and P position switch operation
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift lever and P position switch in quick suc-
cession.
The system protection function may activate and it will not be temporarily
possible to shift the shift position other than P. If this happens, please wait
for approximately 20 seconds before attempting to change the sh ift position
again.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
Parking brake
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
■Parking the vehicle
P. 315
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking b rake engaged.
“Release Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information d isplay (with
the vehicle reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
■ Usage in winter time
P. 492
Operating instructions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
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.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5-3. Operating the lights and wipers
5
Driving
Automatic High Beam
Push the lever away from you
with the headlight switch in the 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 streetl ights, the lights of vehicles
ahead etc., and automatically turns the high beam on or off as
necessary.
WARNING
■ Limitations of the Automatic High Beam
Do not rely on the Automatic High Beam. Always drive safely, ta king care to
observe your surroundings and turning the high beam on or off m anually if
necessary.
■ To prevent incorrect operation o f the Automatic High Beam syste m
Do not overload the vehicle.
Activating the Automatic High Beam system
1
2
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
3635-3. Operating the lights and wipers
5
Driving
WARNING
■Caution regarding the use of win dshield wipers in AUTO mode (ve hi-
cles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subject to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care that your fin-
gers, etc. do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
■ Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fluid until the windshie ld becomes
warm. The fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause low visi bility. This
may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■ When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■ When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do not operate the switch continually as the washer fluid pump may over-
heat.
■ When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Toyota dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle w ill be damaged.
■ To prevent 12-volt b attery discharge
Do not leave the wipers on longer than necessary when the hybri d system
is off.