
250
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always  start  the  hybrid  system  while  sitting  in  the  driver’s  se at.  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  dri ving  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. 581)
However,  do  not  touch  the  power  switch  while  driving  except  in  an  emer-
gency.  Turning  the  hybrid  system  off  while  driving  will  not  cau se  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  yo u  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  bu zzer
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.
■ When parking
Exhaust  gases  include  harmful  carbon  monoxide  (CO),  which  is  colorless
and odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure  to  do  so  may  cause  exhaust  gases  to  enter  the  vehicle  a nd  may
lead to an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to  death or a
serious health hazard.
● If  the  vehicle  is  in  a  poorly  ventilated  area  or  a  closed  area,  such  as  a
garage, stop the hybrid system.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system operating for a long time. If
such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or
where  it  is  snowing.  If  snowbanks  build  up  around  the  vehicle  w hile  the
hybrid system is operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter  the vehi-
cle. 

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. 

268
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
AHB (Automatic High Beam)
Push  the  lever  away  from  you
with the headlight switch in the or   position.
Press  the  Automatic  High
Beam switch.
The  Automatic  High  Beam  indica-
tor  will  come  on  when  the  head-
lights  are  turned  on  automatically
to  indicate  that  the  system  is
active.
: If equipped
The  Automatic  High  Beam  uses  an  in-vehicle  front  camera  to
assess  the  brightness  of  streetl ights,  the  lights  of  vehicles
ahead  etc.,  and  automatically  turns  the  high  beam  on  or  off  as
necessary.
WARNING
■ Limitations of the Automatic High Beam
Do not rely on the Automatic High Beam. Always drive safely, ta king care to
observe  your  surroundings  and  turning  the  high  beam  on  or  off  m anually  if
necessary.
■ To prevent incorrect operation o f the Automatic High Beam syste m
Do not overload the vehicle.
Activating the Automatic High Beam system
1
2 

280
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
WARNING
■Caution  regarding  the  use  of  win dshield  wipers  in  AUTO  mode  (ve hi-
cles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is  touched or
the windshield is subject to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care  that your fin-
gers, etc. do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
■ Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When  it  is  cold,  do  not  use  the  washer  fluid  until  the  windshie ld  becomes
warm. The  fluid may freeze  on  the  windshield and cause low visi bility. This
may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■ When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■ When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do  not  operate  the  switch  continually  as  the  washer  fluid  pump  may  over-
heat.
■ When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Toyota dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle w ill be damaged.
■ To prevent 12-volt b attery discharge
Do not  leave  the  wipers on  longer than  necessary  when the  hybri d  system
is off. 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2874-4. Refueling
4
Driving
After  refueling,  turn  the  fuel  tank
cap  until  you  hear  a  click.  Once
the  cap  is  released,  it  will  turn
slightly in the opposite direction.
Closing the fuel tank cap
WARNING
■When replacing the fuel tank cap
Do  not  use  anything  but  a  genuine  Toyota  fuel  tank  cap  designed   for  your
vehicle.  Doing  so  may  cause  a  fire  or  other  incident  which  may  result  in
death or serious injury. 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2914-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
■To avoid malfunction of the front camera
Observe the following precautions.
Otherwise,  the  front  camera  may  not  operate  properly,  possibly  leading  to
an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
● Keep the windshield clean at all times.
• If  the  windshield  is  dirty  or  covered  with  an  oily  film,  water   droplets,
snow, etc., clean the windshield.
• If a glass coating agent is applied to the windshield, it will  still be neces-
sary  to  use  the  windshield  wipers  to  remove  water  droplets,  etc .  from
the area of the windshield in front of the front camera.
• If the inner side of the windshield where the front camera is  installed is
dirty, contact your Toyota dealer.
● If the part of the windshield in front of the front camera is f ogged up or cov-
ered with condensation, or ice, use the windshield defogger to  remove the
fog, condensation, or ice. ( P. 440, 450)
● If  water  droplets  cannot  be  properly  removed  from  the  area  of  t he  wind-
shield  in  front  of  the  front  camera  by  the  windshield  wipers,  replace  the
wiper insert or wiper blade.
● Do not attach window tint to the windshield.
● Replace the windshield if it is damaged or cracked. 
After replacing the windshield, the front camera must be recali brated. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer for details.
● Do not allow liquids to contact the front camera.
● Do not allow bright lights to shine into the front camera.
●Do  not attach objects,  such as  stickers,
transparent  stickers,  etc.,  to  the  outer
side  of  the  windshield  in  front  of  the
front  camera  (shaded  area  in  the  illus-
tration).
A:  From  the  top  of  the  windshield  to
approximately  0.4  in.  (1  cm)  below  the
bottom of the front camera
B:  Approximately  7.9  in.  (20  cm)
(Approximately  4.0  in.  [10  cm]  to  the
right and left from the center of the front
camera) 

292
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
WARNING
●Do not dirty or damage the front camera. 
When  cleaning  the  inside  of  the  windshield,  do  not  allow  glass  cleaner  to
contact the lens of the front camera. Also, do not touch the lens. 
If the lens is dirty or damaged, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Do not subject the front camera to a strong impact.
● Do  not  change  the  installation  position  or  direction  of  the  fro nt  camera  or
remove it. 
● Do not disassemble the front camera.
● Do  not  modify  any  components  of  the  vehicle  around  the  front  ca mera
(inside rear view mirror, etc.) or ceiling.
● Do not attach any accessories to the hood, front grille or fron t bumper that
may obstruct the front camera. Contact your Toyota dealer for d etails.
● If a surfboard or other long object is to be mounted on the roo f, make sure
that it will not obstruct the front camera.
● Do not modify the headlights or other lights. 

300
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Enabling/disabling th e pre-collision system
The pre-collision system can be enabled/disabled on    ( P. 151)
of the multi-information display.
The  system  is  automatically  enabled  each  time  the  power  switch  is
turned to ON mode.
If  the  system  is  disabled,  the
PCS  warning  light  will  turn  on
and  a  message  will  be  dis-
played  on  the  multi-information
display.
■Changing the pre-colli sion warning timing
The pre-collision warning ti ming can be changed on   ( P. 151)
of the multi-information display.
The  warning  timing  setting  is  retained  when  the  power  switch  is   turned
off.
However,  if  the  pre-collision  system  is  disabled  and  re-enabled ,  the
operation timing will return to the default setting (middle).
Early
Middle
This is the default setting.
Late
Changing settings of the  pre-collision system
1
2
3