
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

340
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usually
be used.
P. 4 2 5
■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 f irmly, operate the shift lever. I f
the shift lever is operated withou t 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 pos i-
tion has been changed to the desired position by checking the
shift position indica tor provided on the in strument 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 down-
ward slopes etc.
Selecting a driving mode
P position switch

342
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
5-2. Driving procedures
●If N is selected while driving at a certain speed, even if the shift lever is not
held in the N position, the shift position changes to N. In thi s situation, the
buzzer sounds and a confirmation message is displayed on the mu lti-infor-
mation display to inform the driver that the shift position has changed to N.
■ Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
P. 316
■ 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.
● 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. 712)
■ 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. 606

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
3435-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
■When a message related to shift op erations is displayed on the multi-
information display
When the shift position does not switch due to a mistaken opera tion, system
conditions, etc., or when the attempted shift operation is invalid, a message
indicating the correct operation or the reason why switching cannot be per-
formed is shown on the multi-information display. In these cases, follow the
instructions and retry the operation.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 749)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift the shift position suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
■ Shift lever and P position switch
● Do not remove the shift lever knob or use anything but a genuine Toyota
shift lever knob. Also, do not hang anything on the shift lever .
Doing so could prevent the shift lever from returning to position, causing
unexpected accidents to occur when the vehicle is in motion.
● Do not press the P position switch while the vehicle is moving.
If the P position switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for
example, just before the vehicle stops), the vehicle may stop suddenly
when the shift position switches to P, which could lead to an accident.
● In order to prevent the shift position from accidentally being changed, do
not touch the shift lever or P position switch when not using them.

448
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
5-5. Using the driving support systems
●When vehicle horns, vehicle detectors, motorcycle engines, air brakes of
large vehicles, the clearance sonar of other vehicles or other devices which
produce ultrasonic waves are near the vehicle
● A sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain.
● If objects draw too close to the sensor.
● When a pedestrian is wearing clothing that does not reflect ult rasonic waves
(ex. skirts with gathers or frills).
● When objects that are not perpendicular to the ground, not perpendicular to
the vehicle traveling direction, uneven, or waving are in the d etection range.
● Strong wind is blowing
● When driving in inclement weather such as fog, snow or a sandst orm
● When an object that cannot be detected is between the vehicle a nd a
detected object
● If an object such as a vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian cuts in front
of the vehicle or runs out from the side of the vehicle
● If the orientation of a sensor has been changed due to a collis ion or other
impact
● When equipment that may obstruct a sensor is installed, such as a towing
eyelet, bumper protector (an additional trim strip, etc.), bicy cle carrier, or
snow plow
● If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered due to the car ried load
● If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as whe n the vehicle
has been in an accident or is malfunctioning
● When tire chains, a compact spare tire or an emergency tire pun cture repair
kit are used.
■ Situations in which the system may operate even if there is no possibil-
ity of a collision
In some situations, such as the following, the system may opera te even
though there is no possibility of a collision.
● When driving toward a banner, flag, low-hanging branch or boom barrier
(such as those used at railroad crossings, toll gates and parking lots)
● When there is a rut or hole in the surface of the road
● When driving on a metal cover (grating), such as those used for drainage
ditches
● When driving up or down a steep slope
●
When driving on a narrow road

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
4495-5. Using the driving support systems
5
Driving
●If a sensor is hit by a large amount of water, such as when dri ving on a
flooded road
● There is dirt, snow, water drops or ice on a sensor. (Cleaning the sensors
will resolve this problem.)
● A sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain
● When driving in inclement weather such as fog, snow or a sandst orm
● When vehicle horns, vehicle detectors, motorcycle engines, air brakes of
large vehicles, the clearance sonar of other vehicles or other devices which
produce ultrasonic waves are near the vehicle
● If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered due to the car ried load
● If the orientation of a sensor has been changed due to a collis ion or other
impact
● Driving close to columns (H-shaped steel beams, etc.) in multi- story parking
garages, construction sites, etc.
● If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as whe n the vehicle
has been in an accident or is malfunctioning
● When tire chains, a compact spare tire or an emergency tire pun cture repair
kit are used.
●
When strong winds are blowing
● On an extremely bumpy road, on an
incline, on gravel, or on grass

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47E74U_(U)
4955-5. Using the driving support systems
5
Driving
WARNING
●Observe the following precautions, as the sensors may stop functioning
properly which may lead to an accident.
• Do not subject the sensor to strong shocks by hitting it, etc. The sen-
sors may not function properly.
• When using a high-pressure washer to wash the vehicle, do not spray
water directly on the sensors. Equipment may not function prope rly if
subjected to an impact from strong water pressure. If the vehicle
bumper strikes something, equipment may not operate properly du e to
a sensor malfunction. Have the vehicle inspected at your Toyota dealer.
● In the following situations, the sensors may not operate normally and may
lead to an accident. Drive carefully.
• Obstacles cannot be detected in the side areas until a scan of the side
areas is completed. ( P. 446)
• Even after the scan of the side areas is completed, obstacles such as other vehicles, people or animals that approach from the sides cannot
be detected.
• The sensor is frozen (if it thaws, the system returns to normal). A warning message may display at particularly low temperatures due to
the sensor freezing and it may not detect parked vehicles.
• The sensor is blocked by someone’s hand.
• The vehicle is tilted a large amount.
• The temperature is extremely hot or cold.
• The vehicle is driven on undulating roads, slopes, gravel road s, in areas
with tall grass, etc.
• An ultrasonic wave source is nearby, such as the horn or sensors of another vehicle, a motorcycle engine or the air brake of a larg e vehicle.
• Heavy rain or a water strikes the vehicle.
• The angle of the sensor may be deviated when assist control starts even if there is a parked vehicle in the target parking spot. Have the
vehicle inspected at your Toyota dealer.
• Do not install any accessories within the sensor detection ran ge.