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PRIUS_OM_OM47F01U_(U)
2454-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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”, “Ignition ON” or mileage display (P. 119) is displayed on
the main display while the hybrid system is not operating, the power switch
is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch off .
■ When starting the hybrid system
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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4-2. Driving procedures
EV drive mode
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 dri ve 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 (0°C) 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 dis play is low.
( P. 128, 167)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
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 late at nigh t,
or in indoor parking lots etc. without concern for noises and
exhaust gas emissions.
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PRIUS_OM_OM47F01U_(U)
2474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Switching to EV drive mode whe n 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 h as illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engin e starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■ Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automati cally 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 dis play is low.
( P. 128, 167)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a
prior notice screen will appear on the multi-information displa y.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hun dred meters
to approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, depending on vehicle conditions,
there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The di stance that
is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] le vel and driving
conditions.)
■ Changing a driving mode when in EV drive mode
EV drive mode can be used in conjunction with Eco drive mode and power
mode.
However, EV drive mode may be automatically canceled when used in con-
junction with power mode.
■ Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy
during normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric m otor [traction
motor]). Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel econ-
omy.
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4-2. Driving procedures
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
P. 224
■ Automatic P position selection function
In the following situations, the shift position is automaticall y changed to P.
● When pressing the power switch with the vehicle stopped while the power
switch is in ON mode and the shift position is in a position other than P (after
the shift position has changed to P, the power switch will turn off)
*
●If the driver’s door is opened and all of the following conditi ons are met,
while the shift position is in a position other than P
• The power switch is in ON mode.
• The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
• The brake pedal is not depressed.
To start off the vehicle after the shift position is changed to P, operate the
shift lever again.
*: When the power switch is pressed while driving at extremely slow speeds,
such as immediately before stopping the vehicle, the shift posi tion may
automatically change to P. Make sure that the vehicle is completely stopped
before pressing the power switch.
The shift position may also automatically switch to P if one of the following
conditions is detected while the vehicle is stopped by dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range (if equipped).
● Driver’s seat belt is not fastened
● Driver’s door is opened
● Approximately 3 minutes elapse after the vehicle stopped
■ If the shift position cannot be shifted from P
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery is discharged. Check the 12-volt
battery in this situation. ( P. 646)
■ About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pe dal will apply
engine braking.
● When the vehicle is driven at high speeds, compared to ordinary gasoline-
fueled vehicles, the engine braking deceleration is felt less t han that of other
vehicles.
● The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is se lected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel e fficiency will
become low. Usually, select the D position.
■ After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 521
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4-2. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid leaving the N
position selected for an extended period of time.
■ Situations where shift control system malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs, shift control system malfunctions
are possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, a pply the park-
ing brake, and then contact your Toyota dealer.
● When the warning message indicating the shift control system ap pears on
the multi-information display.
● The display indicates that no shift position is selected for mo re than a few
seconds.
■ Notes regarding shift lever and P position switch operation
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift lever and P position switch in quick suc-
cession.
The system protection function may activate and it will not be temporarily
possible to shift the shift position other than P. If this happens, please wait
for approximately 20 seconds before attempting to change the sh ift position
again.
■ When exiting the vehicle (driver’s seat only)
Check that the shift position indicator shows P and that the parking brake is
set before opening the door and exiting the vehicle.
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PRIUS_OM_OM47F01U_(U)
2614-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Automatic headlight leveling system (vehicles with AFS)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the
headlights do not interfere with other road users.
■ 12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the 12-volt battery of the vehicle from dis charging, if the
headlights and/or tail lights are on when the power switch is t urned off, the
12-volt battery saving function will operate and automatically turn off all the
lights after approximately 20 minutes.
When any of the following are performed, the 12-volt battery-sa ving function
is canceled once and then reactivated. All the lights will turn off automatically
20 minutes after the 12-volt battery-saving function has been reactivated:
● When the headlight switch is operated
● When a door is opened or closed
■ If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displaye d on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer.
■ If the AFS OFF indicator flashes (vehicles with AFS)
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 686)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.
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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Ty p e BTurns the fog lights off
Turns the fog lights on
■Fog lights can be used when
The headlights are on in low beam.
1
2
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.
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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
WARNING
■Caution regarding the use of win dshield wipers in AUTO mode (ve hi-
cles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subject to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care that your fin-
gers, etc. do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
■ Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fluid until the windshie ld becomes
warm. The fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause low visi bility. This
may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■ When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■ When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do not operate the switch continually as the washer fluid pump may over-
heat.
■ When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Toyota dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the wipers on longer than necessary when the hybrid system
is off.