
1774-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accel-
erate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long t ime.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an o pen space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● 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.

1784-1. Before driving
PRIUS c_U
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
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or da shboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
● 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 lever to P, stop the hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
Sound or shuddering may not be noticed even when the hybrid veh icle is
ready to drive (when the “READY” indicator is illuminated).
If the vehicle is parked with the shift lever in P but the park ing brake is not
set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an acci dent.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the “READY” indicator is i lluminated
or immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.

1794-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
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 brake system does not operate, do not fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require brak-
ing.
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.
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 lever to P. F ailure to do so
may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate sud denly if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.

1804-1. 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. 505)
■ 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.

188
PRIUS c_U
4-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the power switch to the
“START” position to start the
hybrid system.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the “READY” indicator
is illuminated.
Check that the “R EADY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light and a
beep sound, the hybrid system is starting normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if t he engine
is stopped. (The engine starts or stops automatically in accord ance with
the state of the vehicle.)
Power (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system)
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5

1924-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
If the shift lever is not set in P, the hybrid system may not be started.
( P. 202)
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
will be displayed on the multi-information display.
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.
Power (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system)
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

1934-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light and a
beep sound, the hybrid system is starting normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if t he engine
is stopped. (The engine starts or stops automatically in accord ance with
the state of the vehicle.)
Stop the vehicl e completely.
Set the parking brake ( P. 207), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the power switch.
Release the brake pedal and c heck that on the multi-infor-
mation display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with brake pe dal
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 power outlet can be used.
will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
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.
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing power switch modes
5
1
2
3
4
1
2
3

1944-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other
than P, the power sw itch 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 is displ ayed on the multi-information display and
then press the power switch once.
Check that on the multi-information display is off.
■Auto power off function
When the shift lever is in P, if the vehicle is left in ACCESSO RY or ON mode
with the hybrid system not operating for more than 20 minutes ( ACCESSORY
mode) or one hour (ON mode), the power switch will automaticall y turn off.
However, this function cannot entirely prevent 12-volt battery discharge. Do
not leave the vehicle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for
long periods of time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■ Sounds and vibrations sp ecific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 80
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 123
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driv ing con-
ditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READ Y” 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.
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 143
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a posi-
tion other than P
1
2
3
4