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2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON
mode (with the hybrid system not operating) for more than an hour with the
shift lever in P, the power switch will automatically turn off. However, this func-
tion cannot entirely prevent 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the vehi-
cle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 81
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 152
■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving con-
ditions
●When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READY” indicator
may be long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “READY” indicator is steady
on, as steady means the vehicle is able to move.
●AXVH70 model vehicles
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) is
extremely cold (below approximately -22°F [-30°C]) under the influence of
the outside temperature, it may not be possible to start the hybrid system. In
this case, try to start the hybrid system again after the temperature of the
hybrid battery increases due to the outside temperature increase etc.
*: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label. (P. 545)
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 167
■Notes for the entry function
P. 168
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 89)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The hybrid system may not
start if the shift lever is displaced out of P.
●If a message related to start-up is shown on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the instructions.
■Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
power switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
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2104-2. Driving procedures
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period
of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. After about 10
seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■When a message requesting the smart key system be inspected is dis-
played on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■When “Check Fuel Cap” is displayed on the multi-information display
P. 245
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact your Toyota dealer
immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 83
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 470
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the power switch mode may
not change or the hybrid system may not start.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid system.
■If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
P. 527 A message informing the driver that the
steering wheel is locked will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the power switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.
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2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activa-
tion of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, result-
ing 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. 491)
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.
■When parking
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases to enter the vehicle and may
lead to an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a
serious health hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a
garage, stop the hybrid system.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system operating for a long time. If
such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or
where it is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the
hybrid system is operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi-
cle.
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2124-2. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-information
display, the power switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power
switch off.
●Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other
than P. If the hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the
power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery dis-
charge may occur.
■When starting the hybrid system
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
●If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.
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2134-2. 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. Pressing the switch
when in EV drive mode will return
the vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it
cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the
multi-information display.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds,
etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32
F (0C) for a
long period of time etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the energy monitor display is low.
(P. 142)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, electric power is supplied by the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), and only the electric motor (traction
motor) is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the
morning and late at night, or in indoor parking lots etc. without
concern for noises and gas emissions.
However, when the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System is active,
the vehicle may produce sound.
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2144-2. Driving procedures
■Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline 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 illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart
in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will
sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the energy monitor on the multi-
information display is low. (P. 142)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
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030050005200470048[
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters
to approximately 0.9 miles (1 km). However, depending on vehicle conditions,
there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used.
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery]
level and driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy
during normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction
motor]). Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel econ-
omy.
■If “EV Mode Unavailable” is shown on the multi-information display
The EV drive mode is not available. The reason the EV drive mode is not
available (the vehicle is idling, battery charge is low, vehicle speed is higher
than the EV drive mode operating speed range or accelerator pedal is
depressed too much) may be displayed. Use the EV drive mode when it
becomes available.
■If “EV Mode Deactivated” is shown on the multi-information display
The EV drive mode has been automatically canceled. The reason the EV
drive mode is not available (the battery charge is low, vehicle speed is higher
than the EV drive mode operating speed range or accelerator pedal is
depressed too much) may be displayed. Drive the vehicle for a while before
attempting to turn on the EV drive mode again.
Page 215 of 624
2154-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestri-
ans, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the surrounding
area may not be aware of the vehicle starting off or approaching them.
Therefore, take extra care while driving even if the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting
System is active.
Page 216 of 624
2164-2. Driving procedures
While the power switch is in ON mode and the brake pedal
depressed
*, shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release
button on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release button on
the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever normally.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped and the brake pedal is depressed.
*: For the vehicle be able to be shifted from P, the brake pedal must be
depressed before the shift release button is pushed. If the shift
release button is pushed first, the shift lock will not be released.
Hybrid transmission
Shifting the shift lever