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2. Instrument cluster
■BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) outsid e rear view mirror indicators 
(if equipped) ( P. 349)
• When the BSM function is enabled on the   screen of the multi-i nfor-
mation display, the power switch is turned to ON mode.
If the system is functioning correctly, the BSM outside rear vi ew mirror indi-
cators will turn off after a few seconds.
If  the  BSM  outside  rear  view  mirror  indicators  do  not  illuminat e  or  do  not
turn off, there may be a malfunction in the system.
If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota deale r.
●
Indicators are also displayed on the out-
side rear view mirrors.
● In  order  to  confirm  operation,  the  BSM
outside rear view mirror indicators illumi-
nate in the following situations:
• When  the  power  switch  is  in  ON
mode,  the  BSM  function  is  enabled
on  the    screen  of  the  multi-infor-
mation display.
WARNING
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should  a  safety  system  light  such  as  the ABS  and  SRS  warning  li ght  not
come on when you start the hybrid system, this could mean that  these sys-
tems are not available to help protect you in an accident, whic h could result
in death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your  Toyota dealer
immediately if this occurs.
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The  engine  may  be  overheating  if  the  high  coolant  temperature  warning
light  comes  on  or  flashes.  In  this  case,  immediately  stop  the  vehicle  in  a
safe place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely . (P. 656) 

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. 

262
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Parking brake
To  set  the  parking  brake,  fully
depress  the  parking  brake  pedal
with  your  left  foot  while  depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot. 
(Depressing  the  pedal  again
releases the parking brake.)
■Parking the vehicle
P. 228
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A  buzzer  will  sound  if  the  vehicle  is  driven  with  the  parking  b rake  engaged.
“Release  Parking  Brake”  is  displayed  on  the  multi-information  d isplay  (with
the vehicle reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
■ Usage in winter time
P. 431
Operating instructions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
NOTICE
■ Before driving
Fully release the parking brake. 
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to bra ke components
overheating,  which  may  affect  braking  performance  and  increase  brake
wear. 

424
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Operating conditions of Active Cornering Assist
The system operates when the following occurs.
●TRAC/VSC can operate
● The driver is attempting to accelerate while turning
● The system detects that the vehicle is drifting to the outer si de
● The brake pedal is released
■ Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The  effectiveness  of  the  EPS  system  is  reduced  to  prevent  the  s ystem  from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an exten ded period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should thi s occur, refrain
from  excessive  steering  input  or  stop  the  vehicle  and  turn  the  hybrid  system
off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ Electric power steering system wa rning light (warning buzzer)
P. 593
■ When a message related to AWD  system is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display (AWD models)
Perform the following actions.
MessageDetailsActions
“AWD System Overheated
Switching to 2WD Mode”AWD system is over-
heating.Stop  the  vehicle  for  a
certain  amount  of  time
or  drive  the  vehicle  at
approximately  6  mph
(10  km/h)  or  more  to
reduce  the  overload  to
the  system.  Once  the
display message on the
multi-information  dis-
play  turns  off,  there  is
no  problem  continuing
to drive.
“AWD System Overheated 2WD Mode Engaged”
The vehicle switched
from  all-wheel  drive
(AWD) to front wheel
drive  due  to  over-
heating.
“AWD System Malfunction
2WD Mode EngagedVisit Your Dealer”
A  malfunction
occurred in the AWD
system,  and  the
vehicle  switched  to
front wheel drive.
Have  the  vehicle
inspected  by  your  Toy-
ota dealer immediately. 

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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: 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4455-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
WARNING
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
● Do  not  use
   during  cool  air  operation  in  extremely  humid  weather.
The  difference  between  the  temperature  of  the  outside  air  and  t hat  of  the
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog  up, block-
ing your vision.
■ To prevent burns
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rea r view mirror
defoggers are on.
NOTICE
■ To prevent 12-volt b attery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessa ry when the
hybrid system is off.
■ When repairing/replacing parts of the air conditioning system
Have  repair/replacement  performed  by  your Toyota  dealer.  When  a   part  of
the  air  conditioning  system,  such  as  the  evaporator,  is  to  be  r eplaced,  it
must be replaced with a new one.
■ Air outlets
The  air  outlets  become  hot  when  used  for  heating.  Therefore,  us e  caution
and adjust the air outlets accordingly.
● Do not place anything on the instrument
panel  which  may  cover  the  air  outlets.
Otherwise,  air  flow  may  be  obstructed,
preventing  the  windshield  defoggers
from defogging. 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4555-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Customization
Settings  (e.g. A/C  auto  switching  operation)  can  be  changed.  (C ustomizable
features: P. 690)
WARNING
■ To prevent the windshield from fogging up
● Do not use   during cool air operation in extremely humid weathe r.  T h e
difference between the temperature of the outside air and that  of the wind-
shield  can  cause  the  outer  surface  of  the  windshield  to  fog  up,   blocking
your vision.
■ To prevent burns
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rea r view mirror
defoggers are on.
NOTICE
■ To prevent 12-volt b attery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessa ry when the
hybrid system is off.
■ When repairing/replacing parts of the air conditioning system
Have  repair/replacement  performed  by  your Toyota  dealer.  When  a   part  of
the  air  conditioning  system,  such  as  the  evaporator,  is  to  be  r eplaced,  it
must be replaced with a new one.
■ Air outlets
The  air  outlets  become  hot  when  used  for  heating.  Therefore,  us e  caution
and adjust the air outlets accordingly.
● Do not place anything on the instrument
panel  which  may  cover  the  air  outlets.
Otherwise,  air  flow  may  be  obstructed,
preventing  the  windshield  defoggers
from defogging. 

456
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Heated steering wheel/seat heaters
: If equipped
●Heated steering wheel
Warm up the grip of the steering wheel
● Seat heaters (front seats)
Warm up the seat upholstery
WARNING
●Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories
comes in contact with the steering wheel and seats when the hea ter is on:
• Babies,  small  children,  the  elderly,  the  sick  and  the  physical ly  chal-
lenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons  who  have  taken  alcohol  or  drugs  that  induce  sleep  (sle eping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Observe the following precautions to prevent minor burns or ove rheating:
• Do  not  cover  the  seat  with  a  blanket  or  cushion  when  using  the   seat
heater.
• Do not use seat heater more than necessary. 
NOTICE
● Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the sea t and do
not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
● To  prevent  12-volt  battery  discharge,  do  not  use  the  functions  when  the
hybrid system is off.