
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.

328
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same tim e during
driving, as this may restrain the hybrid system output.
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift the shift position to P. Failure to do
so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and ho ld it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire: P. 680

332
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed pr operly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting t he driver or
passengers, possibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever poss i-
ble.
●Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment highe r
than the seatbacks.
●When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be pla ced
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is no t
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat
belts properly fastened.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rea r seats (when stacking items)
• On the luggage cover
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehic le
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. I mproper
loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.

333
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
5
Driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 718
Total load capacity means the co mbined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the max imum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towi ng a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading inform ation label.
( P. 611)
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capaci t y,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering
and braking ability, res ulting in an accident.

340
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
■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 seconds has elapsed.)
■ If the smart key system has been d eactivated in a customized setting
P. 700
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 in jury.
■ 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 second s, or
press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 653)
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 steer ing 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 w hile
driving, press the power switch. When restarting the hybrid sys tem after
stopping the vehicle, change the shift position to P and then press the
power switch.

373
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-5. Using the driving support systems
5
Driving
Toyota Safety Sense P
◆PCS (Pre-Collision System)
P. 3 8 1
◆LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control)
P. 3 9 3
◆Automatic High Beam
P. 3 5 5
◆Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
P. 4 0 3
The Toyota Safety Sense P consists of the following drive assis t
systems and contributes to a safe and comfortable driving expe-
rience:
WARNING
■ Toyota Safety Sense P
The Toyota Safety Sense P is designed to operate under the assumption
that the driver will drive safely, and is designed to help reduce the impact to
the occupants and the vehicle in the case of a collision or assist the driver in
normal driving conditions.
As there is a limit to the degree of recognition accuracy and control perfor-
mance that this system can provide, do not overly rely on this system. The
driver is always responsible for paying attention to the vehicl e’s surround-
ings and driving safely.

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
3835-5. Using the driving support systems
5
Driving
WARNING
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
● The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
Do not use the pre-collision system instead of normal braking o perations
under any circumstances. This system will not prevent collision s or lessen
collision damage or injury in every situation. Do not overly re ly on this sys-
tem. Failure to do so may lead to an accident, resulting in dea th or serious
injury.
● Although this system is designed to help avoid a collision or h elp reduce
the impact of the collision, its effectiveness may change according to vari-
ous conditions, therefore the system may not always be able to achieve
the same level of performance.
Read the following conditions carefully. Do not overly rely on this system
and always drive carefully.
• Conditions under which the system may operate even if there is no pos- sibility of a collision: P. 387
• Conditions under which the system may not operate properly: P. 389
● Do not attempt to test the operation of the pre-collision syste m yourself.
Depending on the objects used for testing (dummies, cardboard o bjects
imitating detectable objects, etc.), the system may not operate properly,
possibly leading to an accident.
■ Pre-collision braking
● When the pre-collision braking function is operating, a large a mount of
braking force will be applied.
● If the vehicle is stopped by the operation of the pre-collision braking func-
tion, the pre-collision braking function operation will be canceled after
approximately 2 seconds. Depress the brake pedal as necessary.
● The pre-collision braking function may not operate if certain operations are
performed by the driver. If the accelerator pedal is being depressed
strongly or the steering wheel is being turned, the system may determine
that the driver is taking evasive action and possibly prevent the pre-colli-
sion braking function from operating.
● In some situations, while the pre-collision braking function is operating,
operation of the function may be canceled if the accelerator pedal is
depressed strongly or the steering wheel is turned and the syst em deter-
mines that the driver is taking evasive action.
● If the brake pedal is being depressed, the system may determine that the
driver is taking evasive action and possibly delay the operation timing of
the pre-collision braking function.

386
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47C77U_(U)
5-5. Using the driving support systems
■Operational conditions
The pre-collision system is enabled and the system determines that the pos-
sibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle or pedestrian is high.
Each function is operational at the following speeds:
● Pre-collision warning:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and 110 mph (10 and 1 80 km/h).
(For detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and
50 mph [10 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or ped estrian
ahead is approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
● Pre-collision brake assist:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 20 and 110 mph (30 and 180 km/h).
(For detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is between approxima tely 20 and
50 mph [30 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or ped estrian
ahead is approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) or more.
● Pre-collision braking:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and 110 mph (10 and 1 80 km/h).
(For detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and
50 mph [10 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or ped estrian
ahead is approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
The system may not operate in the following situations:
● If a 12-volt battery terminal has been disconnected and reconnected and
then the vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of ti me
● If the shift position is in R
● If VSC is disabled (only the pre-collision warning function wil l be opera-
tional)
■ Pedestrian detection function
■ Cancelation of the pre-collision braking
If either of the following occur while the pre-collision brakin g function is oper-
ating, it will be canceled:
● The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly.
● The steering wheel is turned sharply or abruptly.
The pre-collision system detects pedestri-
ans based on the size, profile, and motion
of a detected object. However, a pedes-
trian may not be detected depending on
the surrounding brightness and the
motion, posture, and angle of the
detected object, preventing the system
from operating properly. (P. 391)