
245
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the parking 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.   2 5 6 )
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 

255
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Hybrid transmission
Shift lever
Operate the shift lever gently and ensure correct shifting operation.
Release  the  shift  lever  after  each  shifting  operation  to  allow it to return to
the   position.
When shifting from P to N, D or R, from D to R, or from R to D,  ensure that
the brake pedal is being depressed and the vehicle is stationar y.
Shift position indicator
The current shift position is highlighted.
When  any  shift position  other  than D or B is selected,  the arro w toward  B
and B position indicator disappear from the shift position indicator.
When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift pos ition has
been  changed  to  the  desired  posi tion  by  checking  the  shift  position
indicator provided on t he instrument cluster.
Shifting the shift lever
1
When  shifting  to  the  D  or  R,  move  the  shift  lever  along  the  shi ft
gate.
To shift to the N, slide the shift lever to the left and hold i t. The shift
position will change to N.
To shift to the B, pull the shift lever down. Shifting to B is  only pos-
sible when shift position D is selected.
2 

256
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usually
be used.
 P.   3 4 7
■When shifting the shift position to P
Fully  stop  the  vehicle  and  set
the  parking  brake,  and  then
press the P position switch.
When  the  shift  position  is
changed  to  P,  the  switch  indica-
tor comes on.
Check  that  the  P  position  is
highlighted  on  the  shift  position
indicator.
■
Shifting the shift position from P to other positions
● While depressing the brake pedal f irmly, operate the shift lever.   I f
the shift lever is operated withou t depressing the brake pedal, the
buzzer will sound and the shifting operation will be disabled.
● When  selecting  the  shift  position,  make  sure  that  the  shift  pos i-
tion  has  been  changed  to  the  desired  position  by  checking  the
shift position indica tor provided on the in strument cluster.
● The shift position cannot be  changed from P to B directly.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*
B
Applying engine braking or strong braking when the 
accelerator pedal has been released on steep down-
ward slopes etc.
Selecting a driving mode
P position switch 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2574-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■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.
● 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.
■ Reverse warning buzzer
When  shifting  into  R,  a  buzzer  will  sound  to  inform  the  driver  that  the  shift
position is in R. 

266
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Daytime running light system
●The  daytime  running  lights  illuminate  using  the  same  lights  as  the  head-
lights, and illuminate dimmer than the headlights.
● To  make  your  vehicle  more  visible  to  other  drivers  during  dayti me  driving,
the  daytime  running  lights  turn  on  automatically  when  all  of  the  following
conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designe d for use at
night.)
• The hybrid system is operating
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the  ,  ,   or 
* position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, eve n if the park-
ing brake is set again.
● For  the  U.S.A.:  Daytime  running  lights  can  be  turned  off  by  ope rating  the
switch.
● Compared  to  turning  on  the  headlights,  the  daytime  running  ligh t  system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it  can help improve
fuel economy.
■ Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
■ Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights tur n off 30 sec-
onds  after  a  door  is  opened  and  closed  if  the  power  switch  is  t urned  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. 
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that  blocks  the  sensor  is  affixed  to  the
windshield. 
Doing  so  interferes  with  the  sensor
detecting  the  level  of  ambient  light  and
may  cause  the  automatic  headlight  sys-
tem to malfunction. 
Air  conditioning  operation  may  also  be
interrupted. 

306
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the front camera
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or front camera is misaligned
● In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking fo rce may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If  the  braking  functions  cannot  operate  to  their  full  extent,  such  as  when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If  the  vehicle  is  not  properly  maintained  (brakes  or  tires  are   excessively
worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When  the  vehicle  is  being  driven  on  a  gravel  road  or  other  sli ppery  sur-
face
■ If VSC is disabled
●If VSC is disabled ( P. 422), the pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision
braking functions are also disabled.
● The PCS warning light will turn on and “VSC Turned Off Pre-Coll ision Brake
System Unavailable” will be displayed on the multi-information  display.
• If  the  front  of  the  vehicle  is  raised  or
lowered 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3314-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no  vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver.
Example of deceleration crui sing and follow-up cruising
When  a  preceding  vehicle  driving  slower  than  the  set  speed
appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically
decelerates  your  vehicle.  When  a  greater  reduction  in  vehicle  s peed  is
necessary,  the  system  applies  the  brakes  (the  stop  lights  will  come  on  at
this time). The system will respond to changes in the speed of  the vehicle
ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver.
Approach  warning  warns  you  when  the  system  cannot  decelerate  su ffi-
ciently to prevent your vehicle fr om closing in on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your vehicle will also stop (vehicle is
stopped by system control). After the vehicle ahead starts off,  pushing the
cruise control lever up or depressing the accelerator pedal (st art-off opera-
tion)  will  resume  follow-up  cruising.  If  the  start-off  operatio n  is  not  per-
formed, system control continues to keep your vehicle stopped.
When the turn signal lever is operated and your vehicle moves to an over-
taking  lane  while  driving  at  50  mph  (80  km/h)  or  more,  the  vehi cle  will
accelerate to help to overtake a passing vehicle.
The  system’s  identification  of  what  is  an  overtaking  lane  may  b e  deter-
mined solely based on the location of the steering wheel in the  vehicle (left
side driver position versus right side driver position.) If the  vehicle is driven
to a region where the overtaking lane is on a different side fr om where the
vehicle is normally driven, the vehicle may accelerate when the  turn signal
lever is operated in the opposite direction to the overtaking l ane (e.g., if the
driver normally operates the vehicle in a region where the overtaking lane
is to the right but then drives to a region where the overtaking lane is to the
left, the vehicle may accelerate when the right turn signal is activated).
Example of acceleration 
When  there  are  no  longer  any  preceding  vehicles  driving  slower
than the set speed
The  system  accelerates  until  the  set  speed  is  reached.  The  syst em  then
returns to constant speed cruising.
1
2
3 

370
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
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  w ill  resolve
this problem.)
● The sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this probl em.) 
In  especially  cold  weather,  if  a  sensor  is  frozen,  the  screen  m ay  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,  moto rcycle
engines, air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises pro ducing 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 in stalled.
● There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors i n the vicin-
ity.
● Towing eyelets are installed.
● A backlit license plate is installed.
In addition to the examples above, depending on the shape and c ondition of
obstacles,  detection  may  not  be  possible,  or  the  detection  rang e  may  be
shortened.