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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
3415-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
● Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.
● If “Accessory”, “Ignition ON” or mileage display (P. 211) is displayed on
the main display while the hybrid system is not operating, the power switch
is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch off .
■ When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
■For the shift positions
●When the power switch is off, the shift position cannot be chan ged.
● When the power switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not operating),
the shift position can only be changed to N. The shift position will be
changed to N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and h eld in that posi-
tion.
● When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be cha nged from P
to D, N or R.
● When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cann ot be
changed from P to another position even if the shift lever is o perated. Wait
until the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing to a solid light, and then
operate the shift lever again.
● The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.
In addition, if an attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the
shift lever or by pressing the P position switch in any of the following situa-
tions, the buzzer will sound and the shifting operation will be disabled or the
shift position will automatically change to N. When this happen s, select an
appropriate shift position.
● Situations where the shifting operation will be disabled:
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another
position by moving the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P or N to B by
moving the shift lever.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another
position by moving the shift lever while the charging cable is connected to
the vehicle.
● Situations where the shift position will automatically change t o N:
• When the P position switch is pressed while the vehicle is running.
*1
• When an attempt is made to select the R position by moving the shift
lever when the vehicle is moving forward.
*2
• When an attempt is made to select the D position by moving the shift
lever when the vehicle is moving in reverse.
*3
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from R to B by moving the shift lever.
*1: Shift position may be changed to P when driving at extremely l ow
speeds.
*2: Shift position may be changed to R when driving at low speeds.
*3: Shift position may be changed to D when driving at low speeds.
● If N is selected while driving at a certain speed, even if the shift lever is not
held in the N position, the shift position changes to N. In thi s situation, the
buzzer sounds and a confirmation message is displayed on the mu lti-infor-
mation display to inform the driver that the shift position has changed to N.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
■When a message related to shift op erations is displayed on the multi-
information display
When the shift position does not switch due to a mistaken opera tion, 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. 741)
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.
Page 347 of 792

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
3475-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
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 from 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, a pply the park-
ing brake, and then contact your Toyota dealer.
● When the warning message indicating the shift control system ap pears on
the multi-information display.
● The display indicates that no shift position is selected for mo re 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 sh ift position
again.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
Parking brake
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
■Parking the vehicle
P. 319
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking b rake engaged.
“Release Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display (with
the vehicle reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
■ Usage in winter time
P. 496
Operating instructions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
NOTICE
■ Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to bra ke components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after a door is opened and closed if the power switch is turned to
ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The lights turn off immediately if on
the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
● When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and the driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light
switch to the , , or position once and then back to
the or position.
■ 12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the 12-volt battery of the vehicle from dis charging, if the
headlights and/or tail lights are on when the power switch is t urned off, the
12-volt battery saving function will operate and automatically turn off all the
lights after approximately 20 minutes.
When any of the following are performed, the 12-volt battery-sa ving function
is canceled once and then reactivated. All the lights will turn off automatically
20 minutes after the 12-volt battery-saving function has been reactivated:
● When the headlight switch is operated
● When a door is opened or closed
■ If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displaye d on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 741)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.
Page 359 of 792
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
3595-3. Operating the lights and wipers
5
Driving
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.
Turn the power switch off while the following conditions are me t.
• The headlight switch is in the or position.
• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on.
Turn the power switch to ON mode.
Within 60 seconds after step , repeat pulling the headlight swi tch lever to
the original position then pushing it to the high beam position quickly 10
times, then leave the lever in high beam position.
If the sensitivity is changed, the Automatic High Beam indicato r is turn on
and off 3 times.
Automatic High Beam (headlights) may turn on even the vehicle i s stopped.
■ If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displaye d on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer.
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Page 370 of 792
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-4. Refueling
Press the opener to open the
fuel filler door.
The fuel filler door will open within
about 10 seconds of the switch
being pressed. Before refueling is
possible, a message will be shown
on the multi-information display in
the instrument cluster to indicate
the progress of the fuel filler door
opener.
Turn the fuel tank cap slowly to
open and hang it on the back of
the fuel filler door.
NOTICE
■Refueling
● Finish refueling within 30 minutes. If more than 30 minutes pas ses, the
internal valve closes. In this condition, fuel may overflow dur ing the refuel-
ing process.
Press the fuel filler door opener switch again.
● Do not spill fuel during refueling.
Doing so may damage the vehicle, such as causing the emission c ontrol
system to operate abnormally or damaging fuel system components or the
vehicle’s painted surface.
■ Notice about fuel
P. 104
Opening the fuel tank cap
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