2020 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Owners Manual

3695-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
NOTICE
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing 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 is flooded, be
sure to have any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or
any reliable repairer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
transmission, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
If the shift control system is damaged by flooding, it may not be possible to
shift the shift position to P, or from P to other positions. When the shift posi-
tion cannot be changed from P to any other position, the front wheels will
lock, and you will be unable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the
ground, as the front wheels may be locked. In this case, transport the vehi-
cle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted. ( P. 707)

3705-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load.
WARNING
■ Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compartment:
● Receptacles containing gasoline
● Aerosol cans
■ Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent t he pedals from being depressed properly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may re sult in items hitting the driver or pas-
sengers, possibly causing an accident.
● Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever possible.
● Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment higher than
the seatbacks.
● When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be placed
directly behind the front seats.
● Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not designed
for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat belts prop-
erly fastened.
● Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the luggage cover
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
● Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
■ Load and distribution
● Do not overload your vehicle.
● Do not apply loads unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deteriorati on of steering or braking control
which may cause death or serious injury.

3715-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
NOTICE
■ If luggage is loaded on the roof (vehicles with solar charging system)
Observe the following precautions. Failure to observe them could lead to
the solar roof being damaged, or the roof rack falling off.
● Do not install a roof rack which inter-
feres with the solar roof.
● Do not load luggage directly onto the
solar roof.

3725-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch
or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch mounted carriers.
IO51PH002

3735-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the charging cable is disconnected. (P. 165)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
When the shift position is N, the
hybrid system cannot start. Shift
the shift position to P when starting
the hybrid system. (P. 380)
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 illumi-
nated.
The hybrid system can be started from any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light and
the buzzer sounds, 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 the engine
is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops automatically in accor-
dance with the state of the vehicle.)
Performing the following operations 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

3745-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. (P. 386)
Shift the shift position to P.
(P. 380)
Check that the shift position indica-
tor shows P. (P. 379)
Press the power switch.
The hybrid system will stop.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the display on the
instrument cluster is off.
The meter display sequentially turns off after the hybrid system stops.
(P. 377)
Stopping the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5

3755-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with the 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.
“Accessory” is displayed on the
main display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“Ignition ON” is displayed on the
main display.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON
mode (the hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift
position in P, the power switch will automatically turn off. However, this func-
tion cannot entirely prevent the 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 specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 106
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 280
■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving 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” indicator is steady
on, as steady means the vehicle is able to move.
●When the hybrid battery (traction battery) is extremely cold (below approxi-
mately -30C [-22F]) under the influence 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 temperature of the hybrid battery increases due to
the outside temperature increase etc.
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3

3765-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 296
■Note for the entry function
P. 297
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 7 4 )
Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any
reliable repairer.
●The charging cable may be connected to the vehicle. (P. 161)
●If a message related to start-up is shown on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the instructions.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immedi-
ately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 109
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 688
■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 turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid sys-
tem.
■Automatic P position selection function
P. 382
■When the shift control system malfunctions
When attempting to turn the power switch off while there is a malfunction in
the shift control system, the power switch mode may change to ACCES-
SORY mode. In this case, ACCESSORY mode may be turned off by applying
the parking brake and pressing the power switch again. If there is a malfunc-
tion in the system, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.