Page 287 of 740
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. 
     
        
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348
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Normal mode
Suitable for normal driving.
When  normal  mode  is  selected,  the  “ECO  MODE”  and  “PWR  MODE”
indicators turn off.
Power mode
Suitable  for  when  crisp  handling  and  enhanced  accelerator
response are desired, such as when driving on mountainous roads .
When  power  mode  is  selected,  the “PWR MODE”  indicator  will  illuminate
on the main display.
Eco drive mode
Suitable  for  driving  that  impro ves  fuel  economy  by  generating
torque  in  response  to  accelerator  pedal  operations  more  smoothl y
than in normal mode.
When Eco drive mode is selected, the “ECO MODE” indicator will  illumi-
nate on the main display.
While  the  air  conditioning  is  being  used,  the  system  automatically
switches to air conditioning eco mode (P. 439, 449), allowing for driv-
ing that leads to even better fuel economy.
■ The driving mode after turning the power switch off
The  driving  mode  will  not  be  changed  automatically  until  the  switch  is
pressed, even if the power switch is turned off.
■ Switching the driving mode when in EV drive mode
P. 253
1
2
3 
     
        
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427
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accel-
erator  pedal  depression  amount   can  be  generated  more  smoothly
than  it  is  in  normal  conditions.  In  addition,  the  operation  of  the  air
conditioning  system  (heating/coo ling)  will  be  minimized,  improving
the fuel economy. ( P. 347)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The  Eco-friendly  driving  is  possible  by  keeping  the  Hybrid  Syst em
Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 129)
◆Shift position operation
Shift the shift position to D when stopped at a traffic light,  or driving
in heavy traffic etc. Shift the shift position to P when parkin g. When
using  the  N,  there  is  no  positiv e  effect  on  fuel  consumption.  In  the
N,  the  gasoline  engine  operates  but  electricity  cannot  be  gener -
ated. Also, when using the air conditioning system, etc., the h ybrid
battery (traction batt ery) power is consumed.
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
●Drive  your  vehicle  smoothly.  Avoid  abrupt  acceleration  and
deceleration.  Gradual  accelerat ion  and  deceleration  will  make
more  effective  use  of  the  electric  motor  (traction  motor)  witho ut
having to use gaso line engine power.
● Avoid  repeated  acceleration.  Repeated  acceleration  consumes
hybrid battery (tracti on battery) power, resulting in poor fuel  con-
sumption.  Battery  power  can  be  restored  by  driving  with  the
accelerator pedal slightly released.
For  economical  and  ecological  dri ving,  pay  attention  to  the  fol-
lowing points: 
     
        
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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
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. 
     
        
        Page 429 of 740
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4294-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
◆Checking tire inflation pressure
Make  sure  to  check  the  tire  inflation  pressure  frequently.  Improper
tire inflation pressure can cause poor fuel economy. 
Also, as snow tires can cause large amounts of friction, their use on
dry  roads can lead to poor  fuel economy. Use tires that are  app ro-
priate for the season.
◆Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage will lead  to poor fuel economy. Avoid carry-
ing unnecessary luggage. Installing  a large roof rack will also cause
poor fuel economy.
◆Warming up before driving
Since  the  gasoline  engine  starts  up  and  cuts  out  automatically
when  cold,  warming  up  the  engine  is  unnecessary.  Moreover,  fre-
quently  driving  short  distances  will  cause  the  engine  to  repeat edly
warm up, which can  lead to excess fuel consumption. 
     
        
        Page 438 of 740

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 
     
        
        Page 439 of 740

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 443 of 740

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4435-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Fogging up of the windows
●The  windows  will  easily  fog  up  when  the  humidity  in  the  vehicle  is  high.
Turning    on  will  dehumidify  the  air  from  the  outlets  and  defog  the
windshield effectively.
● If you turn   off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-
cle after closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake mode be
set to outside air mode and the fan speed to any setting except off.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
●Setting to the recirculated air mode temporarily is recommended  in prevent-
ing dirty air from entering the vehicle interior and helping to  cool the vehicle
when the outside air temperature is high.
● Outside/recirculated  air  mode  may  automatically  switch  dependin g  on  the
temperature setting or the inside temperature.
■ Fresh air intake system while parking
When  parking,  the  system  automatically  switches  to  outside  air  mode  to
encourage  better  air  circulation  throughout  the  vehicle,  helpin g  to  reduce
odors that occur when starting the vehicle.
■ Operation  of  the  air  conditioning  system  in  the  air  conditionin g  eco
mode
● In the air conditioning eco mode, the air conditioning system i s controlled as
follows to prioritize fuel efficiency:
• Engine  speed  and  compressor  operation  controlled  to  restrict  h eating/
cooling capacity
• Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
● To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following  operations:
• Adjust the fan speed
• Adjust the temperature setting
• Turn off the air conditioning eco mode
● When the  driving  mode  is set  to Eco  driving mode,  the air condi tioning eco
mode will be turned on automatically. Even in this case, the ai r conditioning
eco mode can be turned off by pressing  . ( P. 347)
■ When the outside tempera ture falls to nearly 32F (0 C)
The dehumidification function may not operate even when   is pressed.