
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 

258
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
■Restraining sudden start  (Drive-Start Control)
P. 230
■ Automatic P position selection function
●If  the  power  switch  is  on  and  the  shift  position  is  not  already  P,  completely
stopping the vehicle and pressing the power switch causes the s hift position
to automatically switch to P and the power switch to turn off
*.
● The  shift  position  may  also  automatically  switch  to  P  if  one  of   the  following
conditions is detected while the vehicle is stopped by dynamic  radar cruise
control with full-speed range (if equipped).
• Driver’s seat belt is not fastened
• Driver’s door is opened
• Approximately 3 minutes elapse after the vehicle stopped
*: If the power switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds  (for exam-
ple,  just  before  the  vehicle  stops),  the  shift  position  may  aut omatically
switch to P. Press the power switch after completely stopping the vehicle
to prevent unexpected sudden stopping of the vehicle.
■ If the shift position cannot be shifted from P
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery is discharged. Check the 12-volt
battery in this situation. ( P. 650)
■ About engine braking
When  shift  position  B  is  selected,  releasing  the  accelerator  pe dal  will  apply
engine braking.
● When  the  vehicle  is  driven  at  high  speeds,  compared  to  ordinary   gasoline-
fueled vehicles, the engine braking deceleration is felt less t han that of other
vehicles.
● The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is se lected.
If  the  vehicle  is  driven  continuously  in  the  B  position,  fuel  e fficiency  will
become low. Usually, select the D position.
■ After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 525
■ 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  case s,  follow  the
instructions and retry the operation.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. reverse warning buzzer) can be changed. 
(Customizable features:  P. 690) 

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 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3354-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
After  the  vehicle  ahead  of  you
starts off, push the lever up.
Your  vehicle  will  also  resume  fol-
low-up  cruising  if  the  accelerator
pedal  is  depressed  after  the  vehi-
cle ahead of you starts off.
Pulling  the  lever  toward  you
cancels the  speed control.
The speed control is also canceled
when  the  brake  pedal  is
depressed.
(When  the  vehicle  has  been
stopped  by  system  control,
depressing  the  brake  pedal  does
not cancel the setting.)
Pushing the lever up resumes the cruise control and returns veh icle
speed to the set speed.
Resuming follow-up cruising when the vehicle has been stopped
by system control (vehicle-to- vehicle distance control mode)
Canceling and resuming the speed control
1
2 

338
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Dynamic radar cruise control wi th full-speed range can be set when
● The shift position is in D.
● The desired set speed can be set when the vehicle speed is approximately
20 mph (30 km/h) or more. 
(However,  when  the  vehicle  speed  is  set  while  driving  at  below  approxi-
mately 20 mph [30 km/h], the set speed will be set to approxima tely 20 mph
[30 km/h].)
■ Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
The vehicle can accelerate by operating the accelerator pedal.  After acceler-
ating,  the  set  speed  resumes.  However,  during  vehicle-to-vehicl e  distance
control mode, the vehicle speed may decrease below the set spee d in order
to maintain the distance to the preceding vehicle.
■ When the vehicle stops while follow-up cruising
●Pushing  the  lever  up  while  the  vehicle  ahead  stops  will  resume  follow-up
cruising  if  the  vehicle  ahead  starts  off  within  approximately  3   seconds  after
the lever is pushed up.
● If the vehicle ahead starts off within 3 seconds after your veh icle stops, fol-
low-up cruising will be resumed.
■ Automatic cancelation of vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode is automatically cance led in the fol-
lowing situations.
● VSC is activated.
● TRAC is activated for a period of time.
● When the VSC or TRAC system is turned off.
● The sensor cannot detect correctly because it is covered in some way.
● Pre-collision braking is activated.
● The parking brake is operated.
● The vehicle is stopped by system control on a steep incline.
● The  following  are  detected  when  the  vehicle  has  been  stopped  by   system
control:
• The driver is not wearing a seat belt.
• The driver’s door is opened.
• The vehicle has been stopped for about 3 minutes.
In this situation, the shift position may automatically switch  to P. (P. 258)
If  vehicle-to-vehicle  distance  control  mode  is  automatically  ca nceled  for  any
reasons  other  than  the  above,  there  may  be  a  malfunction  in  the   system.
Contact your Toyota dealer. 

356
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Conditions  under  which  the  Blind  Spot  Monitor  function  may  not  func-
tion correctly
● The Blind Spot Monitor function may not detect vehicles correct ly in the fol-
lowing situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the se nsor or its
surrounding area
• When  mud,  snow,  ice,  a  sticker,  etc.  is  covering  the  sensor  or   surround-
ing area on the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet with standing water  during bad
weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When  multiple  vehicles  are  approaching  with  only  a  small  gap  b etween
each vehicle
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle  is short
• When there is a significant difference in speed between your v ehicle and
the vehicle that enters the detection area
• When  the  difference  in  speed  between  your  vehicle  and  another  vehicle
is changing
• When  a  vehicle  enters  a  detection  area  traveling  at  about  the  same
speed as your vehicle
• As your vehicle starts from a stop, a vehicle remains in the d etection area
• When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips
in the road, etc.
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or  uneven
surfaces
• When vehicle lanes are wide, or when driving on the edge of a  lane, and
the vehicle in an adjacent lane is far away from your vehicle
• When  a  bicycle  carrier  or  other  accessory  is  installed  to  the  rear  of  the vehicle
• When there is a significant difference in height between your  vehicle and
the vehicle that enters the detection area
• Immediately after the Blind Spot Monitor function is turned on
● Instances of the Blind Spot Monitor function unnecessarily dete cting a vehi-
cle and/or object may increase in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the se nsor or its
surrounding area
• When  the  distance  between  your  vehicle  and  a  guardrail,  wall,  etc.  that
enters the detection area is short
• When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as h ills, dips
in the road, etc.
• When  vehicle  lanes  are  narrow,  or  when  driving  on  the  edge  of  a  lane, and a vehicle traveling in a lane other than the adjacent lanes  enters the
detection area
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or  uneven
surfaces
• When the tires are slipping or spinning
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle  is short
• When  a  bicycle  carrier  or  other  accessory  is  installed  to  the  rear  of  the vehicle 

378
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Operation starting conditions
When the PKSB OFF indicator is not illuminated or flashing ( P.   3 8 3 ,
603) and all of the following conditions are met, the system op erates.
Hybrid system output restriction control
● The Parking Support Brake function is on.
● The vehicle speed is 10 mph (15 km/h) or less.
● There is an obstacle in the traveling direction of the vehicle  (6 to
13 ft. [2 to 4 m ahead]).
● The system determined that a stronger-than-normal brake opera-
tion was necessary to  avoid a collision.
Brake control
● Hybrid system output restricti on control is being performed.
● The system determined that a n emergency brake operation was
necessary to av oid a collision.
■Operation ending conditions
In any of the following situatio ns, the system stops operating.
Hybrid system output restriction control
● The  Parking  Support  Brake  function  has  been  turned  off
(stopped).
● The collision became a voidable with normal brake operation.
● The obstacle is no longer in the traveling direction of the veh icle
(6 to 13 ft. [2 to 4 m ahead]).
Brake control
● The  Parking  Support  Brake  function  has  been  turned  off
(stopped).
● Approximately  2  seconds  elapsed  after  the  vehicle  was  stopped
by brake control.
● The brake pedal was depressed after the vehicle was stopped by
brake control.
● The obstacle is no longer in the traveling direction of the veh icle
(6 to 13 ft. [2 to 4 m ahead]).
Operation conditions 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
3874-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Chart  of  Simple  Advanced  Parking  Guidance  System  assist
modes and functions
Assist modeType of 
parkingFunction summarySee page
Parallel parking 
assist modeParallel park- ing
Guidance  is  provided  to
detect  the  intended
parking spot and reach a
position  to  begin  back-
ing  up  from.  Assistance
is  provided  from  when
the  vehicle  begins  back-
ing  up  until  it  reaches
the  intended  parking
spot.
P. 392
Exit parallel parking 
assist modeExit parallel parking
Assistance  starts  after
the  vehicle  has  been
parallel  parked.  Assis-
tance  is  provided  to
guide  the  vehicle  from
the  parking  space  to  a
position  from  which  it
can take off.
P. 399
Back-in parking assist mode
(with forward guid- ance function)
Back-in park-
ing
Assistance  starts  after
stopping  the  vehicle  in
front  of  the  intended
parking spot, and is pro-
vided  for  backing  into  a
parking  space,  including
guidance  to  reach  a
position  to  begin  back-
ing up from.
P. 404