
3
1
9 8 6 5
4
3
2
PRIUS c_U
10
7
4-1.  Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 172
Cargo and luggage............ 181
Vehicle load limits ............. 185
Trailer towing..................... 186
Dinghy towing.................... 187
4-2.  Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch (vehicles without a 
smart key system) ........... 188
Power (ignition) switch  (vehicles with a 
smart key system) ........... 192
EV drive mode................... 199
Hybrid transmission........... 202
Turn signal lever................ 206
Parking brake .................... 207
4-3.  Operating the lights  and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 208
Fog light switch ................. 212
Windshield wipers  and washer ..................... 214
Rear window wiper  and washer ..................... 218 4-4.  Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap ........................... 221
4-5.  Toyota Safety Sense C Toyota Safety Sense C...... 225
PCS (Pre-Collision System)..... 231
LDA  (Lane Departure Alert)..... 241
Automatic High Beam ........ 246
4-6.  Using the driving  support systems
Cruise control .................... 251
Rear view monitor  system ............................. 255
Driving assist systems ....... 265
4-7.  Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips ....................... 271
Winter driving tips .............. 274
4Driving 

952. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehicle's
systems.
Warning lights
*
(U.S.A.)
Brake  system  warning
light ( P. 480)*
Slip indicator ( P. 482)
*
(Canada)
Brake  system  warning
light (P. 480)Low  fuel  level  warning
light (P. 482)
*
(Yellow)
Brake  system  warning
light (P. 480)Seat  belt  reminder  light
(P. 482)
*
(U.S.A.)
Malfunction  indicator
lamp ( P. 481)*Master warning light 
(P. 482)
*
(Canada)
Malfunction  indicator
lamp ( P. 481)*Tire  pressure  warning
light (P. 483)
*
SRS warning light 
(P. 481)
*
(Flashes or 
illuminates)
PCS warning light 
(  P.   4 8 2 )
*
(U.S.A.)
ABS warning light 
(P. 481)
(U.S.A)
Parking  brake  warning
light ( P. 207)
*
(Canada)
ABS warning light 
(P. 481)
(Canada)
Parking  brake  warning
light ( P. 207)
*Electric  power  steering
system warning light
(P. 481) 

171
4Driving
PRIUS c_U4-1.  Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 172
Cargo and luggage ........... 181
Vehicle load limits ............. 185
Trailer towing..................... 186
Dinghy towing ................... 187
4-2.  Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch (vehicles without a 
smart key system) ........... 188
Power (ignition) switch  (vehicles with a 
smart key system) ........... 192
EV drive mode .................. 199
Hybrid transmission........... 202
Turn signal lever................ 206
Parking brake .................... 207
4-3.  Operating the lights  and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 208
Fog light switch ................. 212
Windshield wipers  and washer ..................... 214
Rear window wiper  and washer ..................... 218 4-4.  Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap .......................... 221
4-5.  Toyota Safety Sense C Toyota Safety Sense C ..... 225
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .... 231
LDA  (Lane Departure Alert) .... 241
Automatic High Beam ....... 246
4-6.  Using the driving  support systems
Cruise control .................... 251
Rear view monitor  system ............................ 255
Driving assist systems ...... 265
4-7.  Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips ....................... 271
Winter driving tips ............. 274 

1744-1. Before driving
PRIUS c_U■
Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following prec autions is recom-
mended:
● For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■ Operating your vehicle  in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm  the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P. 538)
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 Acoustic  Vehicle Alerti ng  System,
drive with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not no tice the vehicle
if the surrounding area is noisy.
● 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. 

1764-1. Before driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■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.
● After  driving  through  a  puddle,  lightly  depress  the  brake  pedal  to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads m ay prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one  side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
■ When shifting the shift lever
● Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is i n a driving posi-
tion, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may result in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving f orward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the ve hicle is moving
backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Shifting  the  shift  lever  to  N  while  the  vehicle  is  moving  will disengage  the
hybrid system. Engine braking is not available when N is select ed.
● Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pe dal depressed.
Shifting the shift lever to any position other than P or N may  lead to unex-
pected  rapid  acceleration  of  the  vehicle  that  may  cause  an  accident  and
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. 

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. 

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 

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