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4-6. Driving tips
◆When braking
Make  sure  to  operate  the  brakes  gently  and  in  a  timely  manner. A
greater amount of electrical energy  can be regenerated when slow-
ing down.
◆Delays
Repeated  acceleration  and  deceleration,  as  well  as  long  waits  a t
traffic  lights,  will  lead  to  bad  fuel  economy.  Check  traffic  re ports
before leaving and avoid delays as much as possible. When drivi ng
in a traffic jam, gently release the brake pedal to allow the v ehicle to
move  forward  slightly  while  avoiding  overuse  of  the  accelerator
pedal. Doing so can help control  excessive gasoline consumption.
◆Highway driving
Control and maintain the vehicle at a constant speed. Before st op-
ping  at  a  toll  booth  or  similar,  allow  plenty  of  time  to  releas e  the
accelerator  and  gently  apply  the  brakes. A  greater  amount  of  el ec-
trical energy can be regenerated when slowing down.
◆Air conditioning
Use  the  air  conditioning  only  when  necessary.  Doing  so  can  help
reduce excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: When the ambient tempe rature is high, use the recircu-
lated  air  mode.  Doing  so  will  help  to  reduce  the  burden  on  the  air
conditioning system and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasolin e engine will not automatically cut out
until it and the interior of the vehicle are warm, it will cons ume fuel.
Also, fuel consumption  can be improved by avoiding overuse of t he
heater. 
     
        
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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-6. Driving tips
Winter driving tips
●Use  fluids  that  are  appropriate  t o  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  cha ins  match
the size of the tires.
Perform the following accordi ng to the driving conditions:
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is fr ozen.
Pour  warm  water  over  the  frozen  area  to  melt  the  ice.  Wipe  away
the water immediately to p revent 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 ic e 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  ma n-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions. 
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle 
     
        
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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
5Interior features
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning  system (vehicles with 
7-inch display) ................. 436
Automatic air conditioning  system (vehicles with 
11.6-inch display) ............ 446
Heated steering wheel/ seat heaters .................... 456 5-2. Using the interior lights
Interior lights list ................ 458• Front interior light .......... 459
• Front personal lights ..... 459
• Rear interior light .......... 460
5-3. Using the storage  features
List of storage features ..... 461 • Glove box...................... 462
• Console box .................. 462
• Cup holders .................. 463
• Bottle holders/
door pockets ................. 464
• Auxiliary boxes.............. 465
• Seat back pockets ........ 466
Luggage compartment  features ........................... 467
5-4. Using the other interior  features
Other interior features ....... 473 • Sun visors ..................... 473
• Vanity mirrors................ 473
• Power outlets ................ 474
• USB charging ports....... 475
• Wireless charger ........... 477
• Armrest ......................... 486
• Coat hooks.................... 486
• Assist grips ................... 487
Garage door opener.......... 488 
     
        
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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system 
(vehicles with 7-inch display)
■Adjusting the temperature setting
Move  the  temperature  setting
knob  upwards  to  increase  the
temperature  and  downwards  to
decrease the temperature.
If   is not pressed, the sys-
tem  will  blow  ambient  tempera-
ture air or heated air.
■
Fan speed setting
Move  the  fan  speed  setting
knob  upwards  to  increase  the
fan  speed  and  downwards  to
decrease the fan speed.
The  fan  speed  is  shown  on  the
display. (7 levels)
Press   to turn the fan off.
Air  outlets  and  fan  speed  are  automatically  adjusted  according
to the temperature setting.
Air conditioning controls
Temperature 
setting knob
Fan speed 
setting knob 
     
        
        Page 437 of 740
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4375-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Change the airflow mode
Move  the  airflow  change  knob
upwards  or  downwards  to
change the airflow mode.
The  air  outlets  used  are
switched  each  time  the  knob  is
operated.
Air flows to the upper body
Air  flows  to  the  upper  body
and feet
Air flows to the feet
Air  flows  to  the  feet  and  the
windshield  defogger  oper-
ates
■Other functions
●Switching between outside air  and recirculated air modes 
(  P. 439)
● Defogging the windshield ( P.   4 4 0 )
● Defogging the rear window and  outside rear view mirrors 
(  P. 440)
Airflow change 
knob
1
2
3
4 
     
        
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4385-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
Press  .
Adjust the temperature setting. ( P.   4 3 6 )
Press  .
The cooling and dehumidificati on function switches between on a nd
off each time   is pressed.
To stop the operation, press  .
■Automatic mode indicator
If the fan speed setting or air flow modes are operated, the 
indicator  goes  off.  However,  automatic  mode  for  functions  other
than that operat ed is maintained.
This function automatically contro ls the air conditioning airflow so that
priority  is  given  to  the  front  seats.  When  the  front  passenger  seat  is
not  occupied,  airflow  may  switch  to  only  the  driver’s  seat.  Unn eces-
sary air conditioning is suppressed, contributing to increased fuel effi-
ciency.
Front  seat  concentrated  airflow  mode  operates  in  the  following  situa-
tions.
● No passengers are dete cted in the rear seats
● The windshield defogger is not operating
While operating,   illuminates.
Using automatic mode
Front seat concentrated  airflow mode (S-FLOW)
1
2
3
4 
     
        
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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4395-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Manually turning front seat concentrated airflow mode on/off
In front seat concentrated airflow mode, directing airflow to t he front
seats  only  and  to  all  seats  can  be  switched  via  switch  operatio n.
When  the  mode  has  been  switched  manually,  automatic  airflow
control stops operating.
Press    on  the  air  conditioning  operation  panel  and  switch
the airflow.
● Indicator illuminated: Airflow to the front seats only
● Indicator off: Airfl ow to all the seats
■Switching between outside air  and recirculated air modes
Press  .
The mode switches between outside air mode and recirculated air  mode
each time   is pressed.
The    indicator  illuminates  when  the  recirculated  air  mode  is
selected.
■
Air conditioning eco mode
The air conditioning system is c ontrolled with low fuel consumption
prioritized such as re ducing fan speed, etc.
Press  .
The  air  conditioning  eco  mode  switches  between  on  and  off  each  time
 is pressed.
“ECO” is displayed in the air conditioning control panel displa y when the
air conditioning eco mode is on.
Other functions 
     
        
        Page 440 of 740
4405-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)■
Defogging the windshield
Defoggers  are  used  to  defog  the  windshield  and  front  side  win-
dows.
Press  .
Set    to  outside  air  mode  if  the  recirculated  air  mode  is  used. 
(It
may switch automatically.)
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the ai r flow and
temperature up.
The   indicator illuminates when the defoggers are on.
To  return  to  the  previous  mode,  press    again  when  the  wind-
shield is defogged.
■
Defogging the rear window and  outside rear view mirrors
Defoggers  are  used  to  defog  the  rear  window  and  to  remove  rain-
drops, dew and frost from the  outside rear view mirrors.
Press  .
Defoggers switch between on and off each time   is pressed.
The   indicator illuminates when the defoggers are on.
The defoggers will automatically turn off after approximately 1 5 minutes. 
■
Eco score (A/C score)
 P.   1 3 1