
3835-2. Driving procedures 
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
■ When a message related to shift operations is displayed on the multi- 
information display 
When the shift position does not switch due to a mistaken operation, system 
conditions, etc., or when the attempted shift operation is invalid, a message 
indicating the correct operation or the reason why switching cannot be per- 
formed is shown on the multi-information display. In these cases, follow the
instructions and retry the operation. 
■ Customization 
Settings (e.g. reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.  
(Customizable features:  P. 782)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces 
Do not accelerate or shift the shift position suddenly.  
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid, 
resulting in an accident. 
■ Shift lever and P position switch 
● Do not remove the shift lever knob or use anything but a genuine Toyota 
shift lever knob. Also, do not hang anything on the shift lever.  
Doing so could prevent the shift lever from returning to position, causing 
unexpected accidents to occur when the vehicle is in motion. 
● Do not press the P position switch while the vehicle is moving. 
If the P position switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for 
example, just before the vehicle stops), the vehicle may stop suddenly
when the shift position switches to P, which could lead to an accident. 
● In order to prevent the shift position from accidentally being changed, do 
not touch the shift lever or P position switch when not using them. 

5075-5. Using the driving support systems 
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
WARNING
■ Sensors 
Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the 
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where 
this may occur are listed below. 
● There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor. (Wiping the sensors will resolve 
this problem.) 
● The sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.)  
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen, the screen may show an
abnormal display, or obstacles may not be detected. 
● The sensor is covered in any way. 
● In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather 
● On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass 
● The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle 
engines, air brakes of large vehicles , or other loud noises producing ultra- 
sonic waves. 
● The sensor is splashed with water or drenched with heavy rain. 
● The sensor is drenched with water on a flooded road. 
● The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side. 
● The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna. 
● The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb. 
● The area directly under the bumpers is not detected. 
● If obstacles draw too close to the sensor. 
● The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact. 
● A non-genuine Toyota suspension (lowered suspension etc.) is installed. 
● There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the vicin- 
ity. 
● Towing eyelets are installed. 
● A backlit license plate is installed. 
In addition to the examples above, depending on the shape and condition of 
obstacles, detection may not be possible, or the detection range may be
shortened. 

5185-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
■Situations when the system may operate even though there is no possi- 
bility of a collision 
In the following situations, the system may operate even though there is no 
possibility of a collision. 
● Environmental influence 
• The vehicle is driven toward a banner  or flag, a low-hanging branch or a 
boom barrier (such as those used at railroad crossings, toll gates and
parking lots). 
• There is an obstacle on the shoulder of the road (when the vehicle is 
driven in a narrow tunnel, on a narrow bridge or on a narrow road)
• The vehicle is being parallel parked 
• There is a rut or hole in the surface of the road 
• When the vehicle is driven on a metal cover (grating), such as those used
for drainage ditches 
• The vehicle is driven on a steep slope 
• The sensor is covered by water on a flooded road 
● Influence from the weather 
• Ice, snow, dirt, etc., has adhered to the sensor (if removed, the system 
returns to normal) 
• Heavy rain or water strikes the vehicle
• In severe weather such as fog, snow or a sand storm 
● Influence from other sonic waves 
• An ultrasonic wave source is nearby,  such as the horn or parking assist- 
sensors of another vehicle, a vehicle detector, a motorcycle engine or the
air brake of a large vehicle 
• Electronic components (such as a backlit license plate (especially fluo- 
rescent types), fog lights, a fender pole or a wireless antenna) are
installed near the sensors 
• The vehicle is driven on a narrow 
road 
• The vehicle is driven on a gravel road 
or in an area with tall grass 

5205-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
●Influence from other sonic waves
• An ultrasonic wave source is nearby, such as the horn or parking assist-
sensors of another vehicle, a vehicle detector, a motorcycle engine or the
air brake of a large vehicle
• Electronic components (such as a backlit license plate (especially fluo-
rescent types), fog lights, a fender pole or a wireless antenna) are
installed near the sensors
●Changes in the vehicle
• When driving with the shift position in N
• The vehicle is tilted a large amount
• The height of the vehicle has drastically changed due to the carried load
(the nose tilts up or down)
• The direction of the sensor has deviated due to a collision or other impact
■Parking Support Brake function while the Simple Intelligent Parking
Assist System is operating
P. 525
■When removing and installing the 12-volt battery
The system needs to be initialized.
The system can be initialized by driving the vehicle straight ahead for 5 sec-
onds or more at a speed of approximately 35 km/h (22 mph) or higher.
■When “PKSB Unavailable” is displayed on the multi-information display
and the PKSB OFF indicator flashes
●Ice, snow, dirt, etc., may have adhered to the sensor. If this occurs, remove
the ice, snow, dirt, etc., from the sensor to return the system to normal.
Also, a warning message may be displayed at low temperatures due to ice
forming on the sensor, and the sensor may not detect obstacles. Once the
ice melts, the system will return to normal.
●If this message is shown even after removing dirt from the sensor, or shown
when the sensor was not dirty to begin with, have the vehicle inspected at
any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
●System initialization may not have been performed after removal and instal-
lation of the 12-volt battery. Perform system initialization.
■When “PKSB Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the multi-
information display, the PKSB OFF indicator flashes and the buzzer
sounds
The system may not be operating properly. Have the vehicle inspected at any
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer. 

5575-5. Using the driving support systems 
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
WARNING
● Observe the following precautions, as the sensors may stop functioning 
properly which may lead to an accident. 
• Do not subject the sensor to strong shocks by hitting it, etc. The sen- 
sors may not function properly. 
• When using a high-pressure washer to wash the vehicle, do not spray 
water directly on the sensors. Equipment may not function properly if
subjected to an impact from strong water pressure. If the vehicle 
bumper strikes something, equipment may not operate properly due to 
a sensor malfunction. Have the vehicle inspected at any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authoriz ed repairer, or any reliable repairer. 
● In the following situations, the sensors may not operate normally and may 
lead to an accident. Drive carefully. 
• Obstacles cannot be detected in the side areas until a scan of the side 
areas is completed. ( P. 505) 
• Even after the scan of the side areas is completed, obstacles such as 
other vehicles, people or animals that approach from the sides cannot
be detected. 
• The sensor is frozen (if it thaws, the system returns to normal).  
A warning message may display at particularly low temperatures due to
the sensor freezing and it may not detect parked vehicles. 
• The sensor is blocked by someone’s hand. 
• The vehicle is tilted a large amount.
• The temperature is extremely hot or cold. 
• The vehicle is driven on undulating roads, slopes, gravel roads, in areas 
with tall grass, etc.
• An ultrasonic wave source is nearby, such as the horn or sensors of
another vehicle, a motorcycle engine or the air brake of a large vehicle. 
• Heavy rain or a water strikes the vehicle. 
• The angle of the sensor may be deviated when assist control starts
even if there is a parked vehicle in the target parking spot. Have the 
vehicle inspected at any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized 
repairer, or any reliable repairer.
• Do not install any accessories within the sensor detection range. 

5585-5. Using the driving support systems 
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) system
■ If “Exhaust Filter Full See Owner’s Manual” is shown on the multi-infor- 
mation display 
● The message may be displayed while high load driving with particulate mat- 
ter accumulating. 
● Hybrid system output (engine speed) is restricted when a certain amount of 
particulate matter accumulates, however, it is possible to drive the vehicle
unless the malfunction indicator lamp comes on. 
● Particulate matter can accumulate more quickly if the vehicle is frequently 
driven short trips or at low  speeds, or if the hybrid system is regularly started 
in an extremely cold environment. Excessive accumulation of particulate 
matter can be prevented by periodically driving long distances continuously 
with intermittent releasing of the accelerator pedal, such as when driving on
highways and freeways. 
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on or “Exhaust Filter Full Visit 
Your Dealer” is shown on the multi-information display 
The amount of accumulated particulate matter has exceeded a certain level. 
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota autho-
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
The GPF system collects particulate matter in the exhaust gas 
by using an exhaust gas filter. 
The system will operate to regenerate the filter automatically, 
depending on the vehicle conditions.
NOTICE
■ To prevent the GPF system from not operating properly 
● Do not use fuel other than the specified type 
● Do not modify the exhaust pipes 

5625-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
■Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will
operate:
●The shift position 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:
●Shift the shift position to P or N
●The accelerator pedal is depressed
●The parking brake is engaged
●No more than 2 seconds have elapsed after the brake pedal is released.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRC 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 malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred. 
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard also after the vehicle comes to a stop.
■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 brake pedal
is operated.
●Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or two min-
utes passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction. 

5665-6. Driving tips
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Winter driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures. 
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt bat-
tery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires. 
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing. 
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield. 
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes. 
●Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle. 
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions. 
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle