322
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
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 le ad 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 ov er 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 n ot place con-
tainers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard. Adhe-
sive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
● 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 sunligh t 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.
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
3235-1. Before driving
5
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 veh icle 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 may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the electronically controlled assist function does not operate, 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 should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will 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 this case, the
brake pedal should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking
distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
324
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
5-1. Before driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same tim e during
driving, as this may restrain the hybrid system output.
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift the shift position to P. Failure to do
so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and ho ld it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire: P. 689
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
3255-1. Before driving
5
Driving
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. D oing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle i s flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
transmission, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
If the shift control system is damaged by flooding, it may not be possible to
shift the shift position to P, or from P to other positions. When the shift posi-
tion cannot be changed from P to any other position, the front wheels will
lock, and you will be unable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the
ground. In this case, transport the vehicle with both front wheels or all four
wheels lifted. ( P. 664)
332
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the charging cable is disconnected. (P. 1 4 7 )
Check that the park ing 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. 3 4 0 )
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 “R EADY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a sol id 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 t he engine
is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops automatically in accor-
dance with the state of the vehicle.)
Performing the following opera tions 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
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
3335-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 3 4 6 )
Shift the shift position to P.
( P. 340)
Check that the shift position indica-
tor shows P. ( P. 339)
Press the power switch.
The hybrid system will stop.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the display on th e
instrument cluster is off.
The meter display sequentially turns off after the hybrid syste m stops.
( P. 336)
Stopping the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5
334
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with the brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“Accessory” is displayed on the
main display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“Ignition ON” is displayed on the
main display.
■ Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minut es or ON
mode (the hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift
position in P, the power switch will automatically turn off. Ho wever, this func-
tion cannot entirely prevent the 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the
vehicle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods
of time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■ Sounds and vibrations sp ecific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 97
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 276
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driv ing 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” indic ator is steady
on, as steady means the vehicle is able to move.
● When the hybrid battery (traction battery) is extremely cold (b elow approxi-
mately -22°F [-30°C]) under the influence of the outside temper ature, it may
not be possible to start the hybrid system. In this case, try t o start the hybrid
system again after the temperature of the hybrid battery increa ses due to
the outside temperature increase etc.
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
3355-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 293
■ Note for the entry function
P. 294
■ If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 83)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● The charging cable may be connected to the vehicle. ( P. 1 4 3 )
● If a message related to start-up is shown on the multi-informat ion display,
read the message and follow the instructions.
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even a fter perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact you r Toyota dealer
immediately.
■ If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 100
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 644
■ 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 tu rning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting t he hybrid sys-
tem.
■ Automatic hybrid system shut off feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the hybrid
system when the shift position is in P with the hybrid system operating for an
extended period.
● The hybrid system will automatically shut off after approximately 1 hour if it
has been left running while the shift position is in P.
● The timer for the automatic hybrid system shut off feature will reset if the
brake pedal is depressed or if the shift position is in a posit ion other than P.
● After the vehicle is parked, if the door is locked with the door lock switch
(P. 281) from the inside or the mechanical key ( P. 708) from the outside,
the automatic hybrid system shut off feature will be disabled. The timer for
the automatic hybrid system shut off feature will be re-enabled if the driver’s
door is opened.