314
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle
Check that the charging cable is disconnected. (P. 1 3 9 )
P. 3 3 2
With the brake pedal depressed , shift the shift position to D.
( P. 338)
Check that the shift position indicator shows D.
Release the parking brake. ( P. 3 4 5 )
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accele ra-
tor pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
With the shift position in D , depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift
position to P. (
P. 339)
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe
driving:
Before starting the hybrid system
Starting the hybrid system
Driving
Stopping
1
2
3
1
2
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
3155-1. Before driving
5
Driving
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 3 4 5 )
Shift the shift position to P. ( P. 339)
Check that the shift position indicator shows P.
Press the power switch to stop the hybrid system.
Slowly release th e brake pedal.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on your
person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Firmly set the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed, an d
then shift the shift position to D.
Release the brake pedal and gen tly depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■ When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( P. 486)
■ For electricity-saving and fuel-efficient driving
Understand the system characteristics of the vehicle to use the functions of
the hybrid system. Also, keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to con-
ventional vehicles, and it is necessary to refrain from activit ies such as sud-
den acceleration. Refer to “Plug-in hybrid vehicle driving tips ” (P. 103).
■ 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 hybrid system out put (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. 675)
Parking the vehicle
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
318
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
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. Eve n
though the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle proximity notif ication sys-
tem, drive with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still n ot notice the
vehicle if the surrounding area is noisy.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammabl e materials
such as leaves, paper or rags.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. Thes e hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● 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. 651
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
3195-1. Before driving
5
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● Use engine braking (shift position B instead of shift position D) to maintain
a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 339)
● 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.
■ 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, resulting in an accident .
● After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the
brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one sid e are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
3215-1. Before driving
5
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may 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.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift position is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may
accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indic ator is
illuminated, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent ac cidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped m ay cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
322
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft d rink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may le ad to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray ov er the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit acci dentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do n ot place con-
tainers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashb oard. Adhe-
sive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coate d with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunligh t may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift position to P, stop the hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
If the vehicle is parked with the shift position in P but the p arking brake is
not set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the “READY” indicator is illuminated
or immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
3235-1. Before driving
5
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in
a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this ma y cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other sid e. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the electronically controlled assist function does not opera te, do not fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns th at require
braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal sh ould be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance wi ll increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● The brake system consists of 2 or more individual hydraulic systems; if
one of the systems fails, the other(s) will still operate. In t his case, the
brake pedal should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking
distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
324
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same tim e during
driving, as this may restrain the hybrid system output.
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift the shift position to P . Failure to do
so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ 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. 678