
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2294-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Firmly  set  the  parking  brake  with  the  brake  pedal  depressed,  and
then shift the shift position to D.
Release the brake ped al and gently depress the accelerator peda l.
Release the parking brake.
■ When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( P. 421)
■ For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in  mind  that hybrid  vehicles  are similar  to  conventional vehicles,  and  it
is necessary to refrain from activities such as sudden accelera tion. (P. 427)
■ Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be  reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
● Refrain  from  high  speeds  when  driving  on  an  expressway  in  the  r ain,
because there may be  a layer of  water  between the tires  and  the  road sur-
face, preventing the steering  and brakes from operating properl y.
■ Restraining the hybrid system o utput (Brake Override System)
● When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same  time, the
hybrid system output may be restrained.
● A  warning  message  is  displayed  on  the  multi-information  display  while the
system is operating. ( P. 608)
■ “ECO Accelerator Guidance” (P. 130)
It is easier to drive in an Eco-friendly manner by driving whil e referring to the
“ECO  Accelerator  Guidance”  display.  Also,  by  using  the  “ECO  Accelerator
Guidance”, it is easier to increase the Eco score evaluation.
● When starting off:
While  staying  within  the  “ECO  Accelerator  Guidance”  range,  gradually
depress the accelerator pedal and accelerate to the desired spe ed. If exces-
sive acceleration is avoided, the “Eco-Start” score will increa se.
● When driving:
After  accelerating  to  the  desired  speed,  release  the  accelerato r  pedal  and
drive  at  a  stable  speed  within  the  “ECO Accelerator  Guidance”  range.  By
keeping the vehicle within the “ECO Accelerator Guidance” range, the “Eco-
Cruise” score will increase.
● When stopping:
When stopping the vehicle, early releasing the accelerator peda l will cause
the “Eco-Stop” score to increase.
Starting off on a steep uphill
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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● Use engine braking (shift position B instead of shift position D) to maintain
a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat  and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 256)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving. 
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, head or other parts of  their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● AWD models: Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not an AWD  vehicle designed  for  off-road driving.  Proce ed with  all
due caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.
● Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of  water. 
This  may  cause  electric/electronic  components  to  short  circuit,   damage
the hybrid system or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal sp eed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicl e has high-
speed  capability  tires.  Driving  over  85  mph  (140  km/h)  may  resu lt  in  tire
failure,  loss  of  control  and  possible  injury.  Be  sure  to  consult  a  tire  dealer
to  determine  whether  the  tires  on  your  vehicle  are  high-speed  c apability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden  braking,  acceleration  and  steering  may  cause  tire  slippa ge  and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes  in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident .
● After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make  sure that
the  brakes  are  functioning  properly.  Wet  brake  pads  may  prevent  the
brakes  from  functioning  properly.  If  the  brakes  on  only  one  sid e  are  wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected. 

236
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always  turn  the  hybrid  system  off.  Otherwise,  if  you  accidentally  move  the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause  an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in
a  poorly  ventilated  area,  exhaust  gases  may  collect  and  enter  the  vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking 
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. 
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this ma y cause
one  side  of  the  vehicle  to  brake  differently  than  the  other  sid e. Also,  the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the electronically controlled assist function does not opera te, do not fol-
low  other  vehicles  closely  and  avoid  downhill  or  sharp  turns  th at  require
braking. 
In  this  case,  braking  is  still  possible,  but  the  brake  pedal  sh ould  be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance wi ll increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● The  brake  system  consists  of  2  or  more  individual  hydraulic  systems;  if
one  of  the  systems  fails,  the  other(s)  will  still  operate.  In  t his  case,  the
brake  pedal  should  be  depressed  more  firmly  than  usual  and  the  braking
distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up  in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an a ccident. 

296
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
The system can detect the following:
●Vehicles
● Bicyclists
● Pedestrians
: If equipped
The  pre-collision  system  uses  a  radar  sensor  and  front  camera
to detect objects ( P. 296) in front of the vehicle. When the sys-
tem  determines  that  the  possibility  of  a  frontal  collision  with  an
object is high, a warning operates to urge the driver to take e va-
sive action and the potential brake pressure is increased to he lp
the  driver  avoid  the  collision.  If  the  system  determines  that  t he
possibility of a frontal collision with an object is extremely  high,
the  brakes  are  automatically  applied  to  help  avoid  the  collisio n
or help reduce the impa ct of the collision.
The  pre-collision  system  can  b e  disabled/enabled  and  the  warnin g
timing can be changed. ( P.   3 0 0 )
Detectable objects 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2974-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Pre-collision warning
When  the  system  determines
that  the  possibility  of  a  frontal
collision  is  high,  a  buzzer  will
sound  and  a  warning  message
will  be  displayed  on  the  multi-
information  display  to  urge  the
driver to take evasive action.
■Pre-collision brake assist
When  the  system  determines  that   the  possibility  of  a  frontal  colli-
sion  is  high,  the  system  applies  greater  braking  force  in  relat ion  to
how strongly the brake pedal is depressed.
■Pre-collision braking
If  the  system  determines  that  the   possibility  of  a  frontal  collision  is
extremely  high,  the  brakes  are  automatically  applied  to  help  avoid
the collision or reduce th e impact of the collision.
System functions 

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.
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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.