Page 375 of 816

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 -30C [-22F]) 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 
         
        
        
     
        
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3775-2. Driving procedures 
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
■ Meter display 
When the power switch is turned off, each display will turn off as follows. 
● The shift position indicator will turn off after approximately 2 seconds. 
● The multi-information display, clock, etc. will turn off after approximately 30 
seconds.  
(Each display will also turn off immediately if a door is locked before 30 sec- 
onds has elapsed.) 
■ If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated in a customized 
setting 
 P. 752
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system 
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. 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 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 seconds, or 
press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 705) 
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emer- 
gency. Turning 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 make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you 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 buzzer
sounds. 
● When restarting the hybrid system after an emergency shutdown while 
driving, press the power switch. When  restarting the hybrid system after 
stopping the vehicle, change the shift position to P and then press the 
power switch. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 384 of 816

3845-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge 
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be 
charged. To help prevent the battery fr om discharging, avoid leaving the N 
position selected for an extended period of time. 
■ Situations where shift control system malfunctions are possible 
If any of the following situations occurs, shift control system malfunctions 
are possible. 
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, apply the park- 
ing brake, and then contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota autho- 
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer. 
● When the warning message indicating the shift control system appears on 
the multi-information display. 
● The display indicates that no shift position is selected for more than a few 
seconds. 
■ Notes regarding shift lever and P position switch operation 
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift lever and P position switch in quick suc- 
cession. 
The system protection function may activate and it will not be temporarily
possible to shift the shift position other than P. If this happens, please wait 
for approximately 20 seconds before attempting to change the shift position 
again. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 385 of 816
3855-2. Driving procedures 
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
Turn signal lever
Right turn 
Lane change to the right (move 
the lever partway and release 
it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 
times.
Lane change to the left (move 
the lever partway and release 
it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 
times.
Left turn
■ Turn signals can be operated when 
The power switch is in ON mode. 
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual 
Check that each turn signal light flashes correctly. 
■ If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been per- 
formed 
Operate the lever again. 
■ Customization 
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be 
changed. (Customizable features:  P. 782)
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 395 of 816

3955-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
●The following factors may affect the amount of time taken to turn the high
beam on or off, or the speed by which the areas not illuminated change:
• The brightness of headlights, fog lights, and tail lights of vehicles ahead
• The movement and direction of vehicles ahead
• When a vehicle ahead only has operational lights on one side
• When a vehicle ahead is a two-wheeled vehicle
• The condition of the road (gradient, curve, condition of the road surface
etc.)
• The number of passengers and amount of luggage
●The light distribution control of the headlights may change unexpectedly.
●Bicycles or similar objects may not be detected.
●In the situations shown below, the system may not be able to accurately
detect surrounding brightness levels. This may cause the low beams to
remain on or the high beams to cause problems for pedestrians, vehicles
ahead or other parties. In these cases, manually switch between the high
and low beams.
• In bad weather (rain, snow, fog, sandstorms etc.)
• The windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt etc.
• The windshield is cracked or damaged.
• The front camera is deformed or dirty.
• The front camera temperature is extremely high.
• Surrounding brightness levels are equal to those of headlights, tail lights
or fog lights.
• Vehicles ahead have headlights that are either switched off, dirty, are
changing color, or are not aimed properly.
• The vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a preceding vehicle.
• When driving through an area of intermittently changing brightness and
darkness.
• When frequently and repeatedly driving ascending/descending roads, or
roads with rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved
roads, gravel tracks etc.).
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding
road.
• There is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or
a mirror.
• The back of a vehicle ahead is highly reflective, such as a container on a
truck.
• The vehicle’s headlights are damaged or dirty.
• The vehicle is listing or tilting, due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed etc.
• The high beam and low beam are repeatedly being switched between in
an abnormal manner.
• The driver believes that the high beam may be causing problems or dis-
tress to other drivers or pedestrians nearby. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 399 of 816

3995-3. Operating the lights and wipers 
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
Washer/wiper dual 
operation
Pulling the lever operates the wip- 
ers and washer. 
The wipers will automatically oper- 
ate a couple of times after the 
washer squirts.
■ The windshield wipers and washer can be operated when 
The power switch is in ON mode. 
■ Dripping prevention wiper sweep 
After washing and wiping operation se veral times, the wipers operate one 
more time after a short delay to prevent dripping. However, this function will
not operate while driving. 
■ Raindrop sensor 
● If the wiper switch is turned to the   position while the power switch is in 
ON mode, the wipers will operate once to show that AUTO mode is acti- 
vated. 
● If the wiper sensitivity is adjusted to higher, the wiper may operate once to 
indicate the change of sensitivity. 
● If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 85C (185F) or higher, or -15C 
(5°F) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate the 
wipers in any mode other than AUTO mode. 
■ If no windshield washer fluid sprays 
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the 
washer fluid tank. 
■ Customization 
Settings of AUTO mode operation can be changed. (Customizable features: 
 P. 782)
8
●The raindrop sensor judges the amount 
of raindrops.  
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not 
operate properly when sunlight from the 
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are 
present on the windshield.IO53PH040 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 417 of 816
4175-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
●In the following situations, if the situation has changed (or the vehicle has
been driven for some time) and the normal operating conditions are
detected, the message will disappear and the system will become opera-
tional. 
If the message does not disappear, contact any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
• When the temperature around the radar sensor is outside of the opera-
tional range, such as when the vehicle is in the sun or in an extremely
cold environment
• When the front camera cannot detect objects in front of the vehicle, such
as when driving in the dark, snow, or fog, or when bright lights are shining
into the front camera 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 422 of 816
4225-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
■Enabling/disabling the pre-collision system
The pre-collision system can be enabled/disabled on   (P. 257)
of the multi-information display.
The system is automatically enabled each time the power switch is
turned to ON mode.
If the system is disabled, the
PCS warning light will turn on
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information
display.
■Changing the pre-collision warning timing
The pre-collision warning timing can be changed on   (P. 257)
of the multi-information display.
The warning timing setting is retained when the power switch is turned
off.
However, if the pre-collision system is disabled and re-enabled, the
operation timing will return to the default setting (middle).
Early
Middle
This is the default setting.
Late
Changing settings of the pre-collision system
1
2
3