2021 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID stop start

3585-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Driving the vehicle
Check that the charging cable is disconnected. (P. 165)
P. 3 7 3
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift position to D.
(P. 379)
Check that the shift position indicator shows D.
Release the parking brake. (P. 386)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelera-
tor pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
With the shift position in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift
position to P. (P. 380)
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe
driving:
Before starting the hybrid system
Starting the hybrid system
Driving
Stopping
1
2
3
1
2

3595-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. (P. 386)
Shift the shift position to P. (P. 380)
Check that the shift position indicator shows P.
Press the power switch to stop the hybrid system.
Slowly release the brake pedal.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on your
person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Firmly set the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed, and
then shift the shift position to D.
Release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. (P. 559)
■For electricity-saving and fuel-efficient driving
Understand the system characteristics of the vehicle to use the functions of
the hybrid system. Also, keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to con-
ventional vehicles, and it is necessary to refrain from activities such as sud-
den acceleration. Refer to “Plug-in hybrid vehicle driving tips” (P. 115).
■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 rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
Parking the vehicle
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3

3605-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
■Restraining the hybrid system output (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. 729)
■“ECO Accelerator Guidance” (P. 239)
It is easier to drive in an Eco-friendly manner by driving while 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 speed. If exces-
sive acceleration is avoided, the “Eco-Start” score will increase.
●When driving:
After accelerating to the desired speed, release the accelerator 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 pedal will cause
the “Eco-Stop” score to increase.
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual operation is performed, the hybrid system out-
put may be restrained.
• When the shift position is shifted from R to D/B, D/B to R, N to R, P to D/
B
*, P to R* with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message
appears on the multi-information display. If a warning message is shown
on the multi-information display, read the message and follow the instruc-
tions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the vehicle is in
reverse.
●While Drive-Start Control is being activated, your vehicle may have trou-
ble escaping from the mud or fresh snow. In such case, deactivate TRC
(P. 561) to cancel Drive Start Control so that the vehicle may become
able to escape from the mud or fresh snow.
*: Depending on the situation, the shift position may not be changed.

3625-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY”
indicator is illuminated. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi-
culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the
vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelera-
tor pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake
pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is
powered only by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine
noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement. Even
though the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle proximity notification sys-
tem, drive with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not notice the
vehicle if the surrounding area is noisy.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials
such as leaves, paper or rags.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid
system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more
difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: P. 705

3665-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and
plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift position to P, stop the hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
If the vehicle is parked with the shift position in P but the parking brake is
not set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the “READY” indicator is illuminated
or immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.

3735-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the charging cable is disconnected. (P. 165)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
When the shift position is N, the
hybrid system cannot start. Shift
the shift position to P when starting
the hybrid system. (P. 380)
Press the power switch shortly
and firmly.
When operating the power switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It
is not necessary to press and hold
the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
The hybrid system can be started from any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light and
the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if the engine
is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops automatically in accor-
dance with the state of the vehicle.)
Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the hybrid system or changes
power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5

3775-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
■ Meter display
When the power switch is turned off, each display will turn off as follows.
● The shift position indicator will turn off after approximately 2 seconds.
● The multi-information display, clock, etc. will turn off after approximately 30
seconds.
(Each display will also turn off immediately if a door is locked before 30 sec-
onds has elapsed.)
■ If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated in a customized
setting
 P. 752
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. 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 injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
● If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the
vehicle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds, or
press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 705)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, however, power assist to the steering will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you 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 buzzer
sounds.
● When restarting the hybrid system after an emergency shutdown while
driving, press the power switch. When restarting the hybrid system after
stopping the vehicle, change the shift position to P and then press the
power switch.

3805-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usually
be used.
P. 4 6 8
■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 firmly, operate the shift lever. If
the shift lever is operated without 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 posi-
tion has been changed to the desired position by checking the
shift position indicator provided on the instrument 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
downward slopes etc.
Selecting a driving mode
P position switch