
2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
To  set  the  parking  brake,  fully
pull  the  parking  brake  lever
while  depressing  the  brake
pedal.
To  release  the  parking  brake,
slightly raise the lever and
lower  it  completely  while  press-
ing the button.
■Parking the vehicle
P. 172
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of appr oximately 3 mph
(5 km/h) or more with the parking brake engaged. ( P. 481, 492)
■ Usage in winter time
P. 274
Parking brake
Operating instructions
U.S.A. Canada
1
2
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. 

2104-3. Operating the lights and wipers
PRIUS c_U
■Daytime running light system
●The daytime running lights illuminate using the same lights as the headlights
and illuminate darker than the headlights. 
● Type A:  To  make  your  vehicle  more  visible  to  other  drivers  during  daytime
driving,  the  daytime  running  lights  turn  on  automatically  when  all  of  the  fol-
lowing conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not  designed for
use at night.)
• The hybrid system is started
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the   or   position
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the parking
brake is set again.
● Type  B:  To  make  your  vehicle  more  visible  to  other  drivers  during  daytime
driving,  the  daytime  running  lights  turn  on  automatically  when  all  of  the  fol-
lowing conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not  designed for
use at night.)
• The hybrid system is started
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the   or   position
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the parking
brake is set again.
● For  the  U.S.A.:  Daytime  running  lights  can  be  turned  off  by  ope rating  the
switch.
● Compared  to  turning  on  the  headlights,  the  daytime  running  ligh t  system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it  can help improve
fuel economy.
■ Automatic light off system
Vehicles without a smart key system
● When  the  headlights  are  on:  The  headlights  and  tail  lights  turn   off  30  sec-
onds after the power switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” po sition and a
door  is  opened  and  closed.  (Vehicles  with  a  wireless  remote  con trol:  The
lights  turn  off  immediately  if    on  the  key is pressed  after  all   the  doors
are locked.)
● When  only  the  tail  lights  are  on:  The  tail  lights  turn  off  automatically  if  the
power switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and the driver’s door
is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to “ON” posi tion, or turn the
light switch off once and then back to   or  .
If  any  of  the  doors  or  trunk  lid  is  kept  open,  the  lights  automatically  turn  off
after 20 minutes. 

2404-5. Toyota Safety Sense C
PRIUS c_U• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the camera sensor
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds
• When driving on a hill
• When  there  is  a  laser  reflecting  object  (manhole  cover,  reflec
tive  plate,
etc.), steps, or a protrusion in front of your vehicle
• If the radar sensor or camera sensor is misaligned
● In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking fo rce may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If  the  braking  functions  cannot  operate  to  their  full  extent,  such  as  when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If  the  vehicle  is  not  properly  maintained  (brakes  or  tires  are   excessively
worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When  the  vehicle  is  being  driven  on  a  gravel  road  or  other  sli ppery  sur-
face
■ If VSC is disabled
●If VSC is disabled ( P. 267), the pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision
braking functions are also disabled.
● The  PCS  warning  light  will  turn  on  and  “VSC  TURNED  OFF  PRE-COLL I-
SION BRAKE SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE” will be displayed on the multi-i nfor-
mation display. • If  the  front  of  the  vehicle  is  raised  or
lowered 

2674-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
■Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems
To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off, press and hold   for more  than 3
seconds while the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on and the “TRAC OFF” wil l be shown
on the multi-information display.
*
Press   again to turn the system back on.
*: When the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, pre-collision brake assist
and pre-collision braking will be disabled and the PCS warning  light will illu-
minate. ( P. 240)
■ When  the  message  is  displayed  on  the  multi-information  display show-
ing that TRAC has been disab led even if   has not been pressed
TRAC is temporary deactivated. If the information continues to show, contact
your Toyota dealer.
■ Operating conditions of  hill-start assist control
When  the  following  four  conditions  are  met,  the  hill-start  assi st  control  will
operate:
● The  shift  lever  is  in  a  position  other  than  P  or  N  (when  starting  off  forward/
backward on an upward incline)
● The vehicle is stopped
● The accelerator pedal is not depressed
● The parking brake is not engaged
■ Automatic system cancelation  of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
● The shift lever is shifted to P or N
● The accelerator pedal is depressed
● The parking brake is engaged
● 2 seconds at maximum elapsed after the brake pedal is released
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and
hill-start assist control systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is  depressed  repeatedly,  when the  hybrid  system is started or just  after  the
vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a mal function has
occurred in any of these systems.
● Any  of  the  following  conditions  may  occur  when  the  above  system s  are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occur red. 
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard also after the vehicle comes to a s top. 

2684-6. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS c_U■
ECB operating sound
ECB  operating  sound  may  be  heard  in  the  following  cases,  but  it   does  not
indicate that a malfunction has occurred.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brak e pedal
is operated.
● Motor  sound  of  the  brake  system  heard  from  the  front  part  of  th e  vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or t wo min-
utes passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring so und) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The  effectiveness  of  the  EPS  system  is  reduced  to  prevent  the  s ystem  from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an exten ded period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should thi s occur, refrain
from  excessive  steering  input  or  stop  the  vehicle  and  turn  the  hybrid  system
off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ Electric power steering system wa rning light (warning buzzer)
P. 484
■ Automatic reactivation  of TRAC and VSC systems
After  turning  the  TRAC  and  VSC  systems  off,  the  systems  will  be   automati-
cally re-enabled in the following situations:
● When the power switch is turned to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart  key  system)  or  the  power  switch  is  turned  off  (vehicles  with  a  smart
key system)
● If  only  the  TRAC  system  is  turned  off,  the  TRAC  will  turn  on  wh en  vehicle
speed increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-e nabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases. 

2694-6. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● The  limits  of  tire  gripping  performance  have  been  exceeded  (suc h  as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or s lick roads.
■ Stopping  distance when  the ABS   is  operating  may  exceed  that  of  nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain  a  safe  distance  from  the  vehicle  in  front  of  you,  espe cially  in  the
following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■ TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional  control  and  power  may  not  be  achievable  while  driving  on  slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating. 
Drive  the  vehicle  carefully  in  conditions  where  stability  and  p ower  may  be
lost.
■ Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
● Do  not  overly  rely  on  hill-start  assist  control.  Hill-start  ass ist  control  may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered wit h ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not inte nded to hold the
vehicle  stationary  for  an  extended  period  of  time.  Do  not  attempt  to  use
hill-start  assist  control  to  hold  the  vehicle  on  an  incline,  as   doing  so  may
lead to an accident.
■ When the TRAC/ABS/VSC are activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator  light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off
Be  especially  careful  and  drive  at  a  speed  appropriate  to  the  r oad  condi-
tions. As  these  are  the  systems  to  help  ensure  vehicle  stabilit y  and  driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary. 

271
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
4-7. Driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accel-
erator  pedal  depression  amount   can  be  generated  more  smoothly
than  it  is  in  normal  conditions.  In  addition,  the  operation  of  the  air
conditioning  system  (heating/coo ling)  will  be  minimized,  improving
the fuel economy. ( P. 203)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the needle of H ybrid
System Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 110)
◆Shift lever operation
Shift the shift lever to D when stopped at a traffic light, or  driving in
heavy traffic etc. Shift the shift lever to P when parking. When using
the N, there is no positive effe ct on fuel consumption. In the  N, the
gasoline engine operates but e lectricity cannot be generated. A lso,
when  using  the  air  conditioning  s ystem,  etc.,  the  hybrid  battery
(traction battery) power is consumed.
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
● Drive  your  vehicle  smoothly.  Avoid  abrupt  acceleration  and
deceleration.  Gradual  accelerat ion  and  deceleration  will  make
more  effective  use  of  the  electric  motor  (traction  motor)  witho ut
having to use gaso line engine power.
● Avoid  repeated  acceleration.  Repeated  acceleration  consumes
hybrid battery (tracti on battery) power, resulting in poor fuel  con-
sumption.  Battery  power  can  be  restored  by  driving  with  the
accelerator pedal slightly released.
◆When braking
Make  sure  to  operate  the  brakes  gently  and  in  a  timely  manner.  A
greater amount of electrical energy  can be regenerated when slow-
ing down.
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For  economical  and  ecological  dri ving,  pay  attention  to  the  fol-
lowing points: 

2724-7. Driving tips
PRIUS c_U
◆Delays
Repeated  acceleration  and  deceleration,  as  well  as  long  waits  at
traffic  lights,  will  lead  to  bad  fuel  economy.  Check  traffic  re ports
before leaving and avoid delays as much as possible. When drivi ng
in a traffic jam, gently release the brake pedal to allow the v ehicle to
move  forward  slightly  while  avoiding  overuse  of  the  accelerator
pedal. Doing so can help control  excessive gasoline consumption.
◆Highway driving
Control and maintain the vehicle at a constant speed. Before st op-
ping  at  a  toll  booth  or  similar,  allow  plenty  of  time  to  releas e  the
accelerator  and  gently  apply  the  brakes. A  greater  amount  of  el ec-
trical energy can be regenerated when slowing down.
◆Air conditioning
Use  the  air  conditioning  only  when  necessary.  Doing  so  can  help
reduce excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: When the ambient tempe rature is high, use the recircu-
lated  air  mode.  Doing  so  will  help  to  reduce  the  burden  on  the  air
conditioning system and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasolin e engine will not automatically cut out
until it and the interior of the vehicle are warm, it will cons ume fuel.
Also, fuel consumption  can be improved by avoiding overuse of t he
heater.
◆Checking tire inflation pressure
Make  sure  to  check  the  tire  inflation  pressure  frequently.  Impr oper
tire inflation pressure can cause poor fuel economy.
Also, as snow tires can cause large amounts of friction, their use on
dry  roads can lead to poor  fuel economy. Use tires that are  app ro-
priate for the season.
◆Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage will lead  to poor fuel economy. Avoid carry-
ing unnecessary luggage. Installing  a large roof rack will also cause
poor fuel economy.