
272
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
3. Instrument cluster
■Select “Engine”
Display of the engine status.
■Select “Climate”
Display  the  power  consump-
tion of the air conditioner
■Resetting the data
●Selecting “Clear” on the “Trip Information” screen will reset t he trip informa-
tion data.
● Selecting  “Clear”  on  the  “Past  Record”  screen  will  reset  the  past  record
data.
■ Updating the past record data
Selecting  “Update”  on  the  “Past  Record”  screen  will  update  the  past  record
data.
Also, the average fuel consumption displayed in the multi-infor mation display
will be reset at the same time.
■ Cruising range
Displays  the  estimated  maximum  distance  that  can  be  driven  with   the  quan-
tity of fuel remaining.
This  distance  is  computed  based  on  your  average  fuel  consumptio n.  As  a
result, the actual distance that can be driven may differ from that displayed.
■ Display of navigation  screen during charging
After  the  power  switch  is  turned  to  ON  mode  during  charging,  th e  power
switch will automatically turn off after approximately 100 seconds. 

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
3215-1. Before driving
5
Driving
■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 600 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• 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. 720)
■ For efficient use
●Shift the shift position to D when driving.
In the N position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity  cannot be gen-
erated. The hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, requiring unnec-
essary engine power to charge.
● Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleratio n and decel-
eration  will  make  more  effective  use  of  the  electric  motor  (tra ction  motor)
without having to use gasoline engine power.
● Avoid repeated acceleration.
Repeated  acceleration  consumes  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery )  power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored b y driving with
the accelerator pedal slightly released.
● Shift the shift position to P when parking.
In the N position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not charge. Leav-
ing  the  shift  position  in  the  N  position  for  an  extended  period   of  time  may
discharge the hybrid battery (traction battery). The vehicle cannot run if the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is discharged. 

322
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
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 accident.
• 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.  Even
though  the  vehicle  is  equipped  with  the  vehicle  proximity  notif ication  sys-
tem,  drive  with  care  as  pedestrians  in  the  vicinity  may  still  not  notice  the
vehicle if the surrounding area is noisy.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammabl e materials
such as leaves, paper or rags. 
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.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. 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  m ake  it  more
difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop t he vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: P. 653 

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
3235-1. Before driving
5
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● Use engine braking (shift position B instead of shift position D) to maintain
a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 343)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or  the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving. 
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, head or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of  water.
This  may  cause  electric/electronic  components  to  short  circuit,   damage
the hybrid system or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal sp eed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicl e has high-
speed  capability  tires.  Driving  over  85  mph  (140  km/h)  may  resu lt  in  tire
failure,  loss  of  control  and  possible  injury.  Be  sure  to  consult  a  tire  dealer
to  determine  whether  the  tires  on  your  vehicle  are  high-speed  capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ 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, resulting in an accident.
● After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make  sure that
the  brakes  are  functioning  properly.  Wet  brake  pads  may  prevent  the
brakes  from  functioning  properly.  If  the  brakes  on  only  one  sid e  are  wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected. 

324
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When shifting the shift position
● Do  not  let  the  vehicle  roll  backward  while  a  forward  driving  position  is
selected, or roll forward while the shift position is in R. 
Doing so may result in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● Do not shift the shift position to P while the vehicle is movin g.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift position to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift position to a driving position while the vehicle is mov-
ing backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Changing the shift position to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage
the  hybrid  system.  Engine  braking  is  not  available  with  the  hyb rid  system
disengaged.
● Be  careful  not  to  change  the  shift  position  with  the  accelerato r  pedal
depressed. 
Changing  the  shift  position  to  any  position  other  than  P  or  N  may  lead  to
unexpected  rapid  acceleration  of  the  vehicle  that  may  cause  an  accident
and result in death or serious injury.
After  changing  the  shift  position,  make  sure  to  confirm  the  current  shift
position displayed on the shift position indicator inside the meter. 

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
3255-1. Before driving
5
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping 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 neede d. 
It  is  dangerous  to  drive  the  vehicle  when  the  wear  limits  of  the  brake  pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily. 
If  the  shift  position  is  in  any  position  other  than  P  or  N,  the   vehicle  may
accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away,  always keep
depressing  the  brake  pedal  while  stopped  with  the  “READY”  indicator  is
illuminated, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent ac cidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the  brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby. 

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
3295-1. Before driving
5
Driving
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. D oing 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 i s flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer 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, transp ort the vehi-
cle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted. ( P. 655) 

336
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the charging cable is disconnected. (P.   1 4 6 )
Check that the park ing 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.   3 4 3 )
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 “R EADY” indicator is illuminated.
If  the  “READY”  indicator  changes  from  a  flashing  light  to  a  sol id  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 t he engine
is  stopped.  (The  gasoline  engine  starts  or  stops  automatically  in  accor-
dance with the state of the vehicle.)
Performing  the  following  opera tions  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