1434-1. Before driving
4
DrivingWhen the following unusual operation
is performed with the accelerator
pedal depressed, the hybrid system
output may be restrained.
When the shift lever is shifted to R
*.
When the shift lever is shifted from P
or R to forward drive shift position
such as D
*.
When the system operates, a message
appears on the multi-information dis-
play. Read the message and follow the
instruction.
*: Depending on the situation, the shift position may not be changed.
QDrive-Start Control (DSC)
OWhen the TRAC is turned off ( P.254),
sudden start restraint control also does
not operate. If your vehicle have trouble
escaping from the mud or fresh snow due
to sudden start restraint control opera-
tion, deactivate TRAC ( P.254) so that
the vehicle may become able to escape from the mud or fresh snow.
NOTICE
OChanges in quantity and quality of oil
and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
transmission, etc.
OLubricant condition for the bearings
and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bear-
ings, etc.
QWhen parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift
the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may
cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle
may accelerate suddenly if the accelera-
tor pedal is accidentally depressed.
Sudden start restraint control
(Drive-Start Control [DSC])
1534-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on, the EV
drive mode indicator will come on. Press-
ing the switch when in EV drive mode will
return the vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric motor
[traction motor]).
QSituations in which EV drive mode can-
not be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive
mode on in the following situations. If it can-
not be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a
message will be shown on the multi-infor- mation display.
OThe temperature of the hybrid system is
high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun,
driven on a hill, driven
at high speeds, etc.
OThe temperature of the hybrid system is
low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures
lower than about 32°F (0°C) for a long
period of time etc.
OThe gasoline engine is warming up.
OThe hybrid battery (traction battery) is
low.
The remaining hybrid battery [traction
battery] level indicated in the energy
monitor display is low. ( P.95)
OVehicle speed is high.
OThe accelerator pedal is depressed firmly
or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
OThe windshield defogger is in use.
QSwitching to EV drive mode when the
gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gas-
oline engine is cold, the gasoline engine will
start automatically after a short period of
time in order to warm up. In this case, you
will become unable to switch to EV drive
mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the
“READY” indicator has illuminated, press
the EV drive mode switch before the gaso-
line engine starts to switch to EV drive
mode.
QAutomatic cancelation of EV drive
mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gaso-
line engine may automatically restart in the
following situations. When EV drive mode
is canceled, a buzzer will sound, the EV
drive mode indicator will flash and go off
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, electric power is
supplied by the hybrid battery
(traction battery), and only the
electric motor (traction motor) is
used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in res-
idential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor park-
ing lots etc. without concern for
noises and gas emissions.
However, when the Acoustic Vehi-
cle Alerting System is active, the
vehicle may produce sound.
Operating instructions