1974-1. Before driving
4
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 accident.
• 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.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
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 braking 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. 469
● Use engine braking (downshift) 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. 219)
● Do not adjust the display, 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.
2084-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be displayed on the multi-information displ ay.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the power switch shortly
and firmly.
When operating the power switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It
is not necessary to press and hold
the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the “READY” indicator
is illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started
from any power switch mode.
Check that the “R EADY” indicator is illuminated.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following opera tions when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the hybrid system or changes
power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5
2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake ( P. 225), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the power switch.
Driving-related data will be displayed on the multi-information display.
■ Automatic hybrid system shut off feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the hybrid
system when the shift lever is in P with the hybrid system oper ating for an
extended period.
● The hybrid system will automatically shut off after approximate ly 1 hour if it
has been left running while the shift lever is in P.
● The timer for the automatic hybrid system shut off feature will reset if the
brake pedal is depressed or if the shift lever is in a position other than P.
● After the vehicle is parked, if the door is locked with the door lock switch
(P. 156) from the inside or the mechanical key ( P. 504) from the outside,
the automatic hybrid system shut off feature will be disabled. The timer for
the automatic hybrid system shut off feature will be re-enabled if the driver’s
door is opened.
Stopping the hybrid system
1
2
3
2104-2. Driving procedures
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
A message indicating how to start
the hybrid system will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
A message indicating how to start
the hybrid system will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the hybrid sys-
tem, the power switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other
than P, a message indicating to shift the shift lever to P will be dis-
played on the multi-information display. At this time, the powe r switch
will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode.
Perform the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the park ing brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power Off” is displayed on the multi-informati on
display and then press the power switch once.
Check that “Turn Power Off” on the multi-information display is
turned off.
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a posi-
tion other than P
1
2
3
4
2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minut es or ON
mode (with the hybrid system not operating) for more than an ho ur with the
shift lever in P, the power switch will automatically turn off. However, this func-
tion cannot entirely prevent 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the vehi-
cle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri ods of
time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■ Sounds and vibrations sp ecific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 82
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 152
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driv ing con-
ditions
● When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READY” 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.
● AXVH70 model vehicles
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) is
extremely cold (below approximately -22°F [-30°C]) under the in fluence of
the outside temperature, it may not be possible to start the hybrid system. In
this case, try to start the hybrid system again after the tempe rature of the
hybrid battery increases due to the outside temperature increas e etc.
*: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label. (P. 523)
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 167
■ Notes for the entry function
P. 168
■ If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 90)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The hybrid sys tem may not
start if the shift lever is displaced out of P.
● If a message related to start-up is shown on the multi-informat ion display,
read the message and follow the instructions.
■ Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function . Operating the
power switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
2124-2. Driving procedures
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period
of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system . After about 10
seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When a message requesting the smart key system be inspected is dis-
played on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ When “Check Fuel Cap” is displayed on the multi-information display
P. 246
■ 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. 84
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 449
■ Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the power switch mode may
not change or the hybrid system may not start.
● If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after tu rning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid system.
■ If the smart key system has been d eactivated in a customized setting
P. 504 A message informing the driver that the
steering wheel is locked will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the power switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.
2134-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
WARNING
■When starting th e 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 while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete st op. Activa-
tion of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an a ccident, result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
● If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving 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. 469)
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.
■ When parking
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases to enter the vehicle a nd may
lead to an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a
serious health hazard.
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a
garage, stop the hybrid system.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system operating for a long time. If
such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or
where it is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle w hile the
hybrid system is operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi-
cle.
2144-2. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt b attery discharge
● Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-infor mation
display, the power switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after tu rning the power
switch off.
● Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other
than P. If the hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the
power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery dis-
charge may occur.
■ When starting th e hybrid system
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
● If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunc tion with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunctio n. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.