
2315-2. Driving procedures
Owners Manual_USA_M42C01_en
5
Driving
5-2.Driving procedures
1 Check that the charging 
cable is disconnected. 
( P.105, 113)
2 Pull the parking brake switch 
to check that the parking 
brake is set. ( P.243)
The parking brake indicator will 
come on.
3Firmly depress the brake 
pedal.
 and a message  will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
If it is not displayed, the EV system 
cannot be started.
When the shift position is in N, the 
EV system cannot start. Shift the 
shift position to P when starting the 
EV system. ( P.237)
4 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 EV system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake 
pedal until the “READY” indicator is  illuminated.
The EV system can be started from 
any power switch mode.
5
Check that the “READY” indi-
cator is illuminated.
The vehicle cannot  be driven if the 
“READY” indicator is off.
■Power switch illumination
According to the situation, the 
power switch illu mination operates 
as follows.
●When driver’s door or front pas-
senger’s door is opened, the 
power switch illu mination illumi-
nates.
●When the power switch is in OFF 
and depressing t he brake pedal 
with carrying the electronic key on 
your person, the power switch illu-
mination blinks.
●When the power switch is in ACC 
or ON, the power  switch illumina-
tion illuminates.
●When the power switch mode is 
changed from ACC or ON to OFF, 
the power switch  illumination illu-
minates for a certain amount of 
time. Afterwards, the power switch 
illumination turns off.
■If the EV system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not 
have been deactivated. ( P. 6 8 )
Contact your Toyota dealer.
●The charging cable may be con-
nected to the vehicle. ( P. 8 9 )
●If a message related to start-up is 
Power (ignition) 
switch
Performing the following 
operations when carrying 
the electronic key on your 
person starts the EV system 
or changes power switch 
modes.
Starting the EV system 

2325-2. Driving procedures
Owners Manual_USA_M42C01_enshown on the multi-information 
display, read the message and fol-
low the instructions.
●If the door is unlocked with the 
mechanical key, the EV system 
cannot be started using the smart 
key system. Refer to P.540 to start 
the EV system. However, if the 
electronic key is carried inside the 
vehicle and the do
ors are locked 
(  P.170), the EV system can be 
started.
■When the ambient temperature 
is low, such as during winter 
driving conditions
●When starting the EV system, the 
flashing time of the “READY” indi-
cator 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.
●When the traction battery is 
extremely cold (below approxi-
mately -22°F [-30°C]) under the 
influence of the outside tempera-
ture, it may not be possible to start 
the EV system. In this case, try to 
start the EV system again after the 
temperature of the traction battery 
increases due to the outside tem-
perature increase, etc.
■Sounds and vibrations specific 
to an battery electric vehicle
 P. 7 4
■If the 12-volt battery is dis-
charged
The EV system cannot be started 
using the smart key system. Refer 
to P.541 to restart the EV system.
■Electronic key battery depletion
 P. 1 6 2
■Conditions affecting operation
 P. 1 8 8
■Note for the entry function
 P. 1 8 9
■If there is a malfunction in the 
smart key system
If “Smart Key System Malfunction” 
is displayed on the multi-information 
display, the system may be malfunc-
tioning. Have the vehicle inspected 
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does 
not come on
In the event that the “READY” indi-
cator does not come on even after 
performing the proper procedures 
for starting the vehicle, contact your 
Toyota dealer immediately.
■If the EV system  is malfunction-
ing
 P. 8 0
■Electronic key battery
 P.497
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly 
and firmly, the power switch mode 
may not change or the EV system 
may not start.
●If attempting to restart the EV sys-
tem immediately after turning the 
power switch to OFF, the EV sys-
tem may not start in some cases. 
After turning the power switch to 
OFF, please wait a few seconds 
before restarti ng the EV system.
■Customization
If the smart key system has been 
deactivated in a customized setting, 
refer to P.540.
WARNING
■When starting the EV system
Always start the EV system while 
sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not 
depress the accelerator pedal 
while starting the EV system 
under any circumstances. 
Doing so may cause an accident 
resulting in death o r serious injury. 

2335-2. Driving procedures
Owners Manual_USA_M42C01_en
5
Driving
1 Stop the vehicle completely.
2 Set the parking brake. 
( P.243)
3 Press the P position switch. 
( P.237)
Check that the shift position indica-
tor shows P and the parking brake 
indicator is illuminated.
4Press the power switch.
The EV system will stop, and the 
meter display will be extinguished 
(the shift position indicator will be 
extinguished a few seconds after 
the meter display).
5Release the brake pedal and 
check that “ACCESSORY” or 
“POWER ON” is not shown 
on the meter.
■Automatic EV system shut off 
feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a 
feature that automatically shuts off 
the EV system when the shift posi-
tion is in P with the EV system  operating for an extended period.
●The EV system will automatically 
shut off after approximately 1 hour 
if it has been left operating while 
the shift position is in P.
●The timer for the automatic EV 
system shut off feature will reset if 
the brake pedal is depressed or if 
the shift position is in a position 
other than P.
●After the vehicle 
is parked, if the 
door is locked with the door lock 
switch ( P.170) from the inside or 
the mechanical key (P.539) from 
the outside, the automatic EV sys-
tem shut off feature will be dis-
abled. The timer for the automatic 
EV system shut off feature will be 
re-enabled if the driver’s door is 
opened.
■When the shift control system 
malfunctions
When attempting to turn the power 
switch off while t here is a malfunc-
tion in the shift control system, the 
power switch mode may change to 
ACC. In this case, ACC may be 
turned off by applying the parking 
brake and pressing the power 
switch again.
If there is a malfunction in the sys-
tem, have the vehicle inspected by 
your Toyota dealer immediately.
■Automatic P position selection 
function
 P.238
NOTICE
■When starting the EV system
If the EV system becomes difficult 
to start, have your vehicle 
checked by your Toyota dealer 
immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a mal-
function with the power 
switch
If the power switch seems to be 
operating somewh at differently 
than usual, such as the switch 
sticking slightly, there may be a 
malfunction. Contact your Toyota 
dealer immediately.
Stopping the EV system 

2345-2. Driving procedures
Owners Manual_USA_M42C01_en
Modes can be changed by 
pressing the power switch with 
the brake pedal released. (The 
mode changes each time the 
switch is pressed.)
WARNING
■Stopping the EV system in an 
emergency
●If you want to stop the EV sys-
tem in an emergency while driv-
ing the vehicle, press and hold 
the power switch for more than 
2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 
times or more in succession. 
( P.505)
However, do not touch the 
power switch while driving 
except in an emergency. Turn-
ing the EV system off while driv-
ing will not cause a loss of 
steering or braking control. 
However, power  assist for the 
steering wheel may be lost mak-
ing it difficult to steer smoothly 
before stopping the vehicle 
depending on the remaining 
charge in the 12-volt battery or 
usage conditions. In this situa-
tion, 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-info rmation display 
and a buzzer sounds.
●When restarting the EV system 
after an emergency shutdown, 
press the power switch shortly 
and firmly.
■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 venti-
lated area or a closed area, 
such as a garage, stop the EV 
system.
●Do not leave the vehicle with 
the EV 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 EV system 
operating in an area with snow 
build-up, or where it is snowing. 
If snowbanks build up around 
the vehicle while the EV system 
is operating, exhaust gases 
may collect and enter the vehi-
cle.
Changing power switch 
modes 

2355-2. Driving procedures
Owners Manual_USA_M42C01_en
5
Driving
“ACCESSORY”
“POWER ON”
1 OFF
The emergency flashers can be 
used.
2ACC*
Some electrical components such 
as the audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed 
on the multi-information display.
3ON
All electrical com ponents can be 
used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on 
the multi-information display.
*: Setting can be customized.  (→P.571)
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is le ft in ACC for more 
than 20 minutes or ON (the EV sys-
tem is not operating) for more than 
an hour with the shif t position in P, 
the power switch will automatically 
turn off. However, this function can-
not entirely prevent the 12-volt bat-
tery discharge. Do not leave the 
vehicle with the power switch in 
ACC or ON for long periods of time  when the EV system is not operat-
ing.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
●Do not leave the power switch 
in ACC or ON for long periods of 
time without the EV system on.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “POWER 
ON” is displayed on the multi-
information display, the power 
switch is not in OFF. Exit the 
vehicle after turning the power 
switch to OFF. 

2365-2. Driving procedures
Owners Manual_USA_M42C01_en
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-
Start Control)
 P. 2 2 4
■If a message about a shift oper-
ation is shown
To prevent the shift position from 
being selected inco rrectly or the 
vehicle from moving unexpectedly, 
the shift position may be changed 
automatically or operating the rotary 
shifter may be required. In this case, 
change the shift position following 
the messages on the multi-informa-
tion display.
■After recharging/reconnecting 
the 12-volt battery
 P. 4 6 9
Transmission
Select the shift position 
depending on your pur-
pose and situation.
Shift position purpose 
and functions
Shift positionObjective or function
P
Parking the vehi-
cle/starting the EV  system
RReversing
N
Neutral 
(Condition in which  the power is not  transmitted)
DNormal driving
WARNING
■When driving on slippery 
road surfaces
Be careful of sudden acceleration, 
as this could result in the vehicle 
skidding to the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Situations where shift control 
system malfunctions are pos-
sible
If any of the follo wing situations 
occur, shift control system mal-
functions are possible. Immedi-
ately stop the vehicle in a safe 
place on level ground, apply the 
parking brake, and then contact 
your Toyota dealer.
●When the warning message 
indicating the shift control sys-
tem malfunction appears on the 
multi-information display. 
(  P.522)
●The display indicates that no 
shift position is selected for 
more than a few seconds. 

2375-2. Driving procedures
Owners Manual_USA_M42C01_en
5
Driving
Rotary shifter
Operate the dial shift slowly and 
securely.
To switch to N, hol d down the dial 
shift and hold it for a while.
To switch to R or D, hold down the 
dial shift and turn left or right 
according to the arrow on the shift 
position indicator.
Release the rotary shifter after each 
shifting operation  to allow it to 
return to its regular position.
When shifting from P to N, D or R, 
from N, D or R to P, from D to R, or 
from R to D, ensure that the brake 
pedal is being depressed and the 
vehicle is stationary.
Shift position indicator
Meter display:
The current shift position is illumi- nated.
Rotary shifter display:
The current shift p
osition is illumi-
nated.
When selecting the shift position, 
make sure that the  shift position 
has been changed to the desired 
position by checking the shift posi-
tion indicator provided on the 
instrument cluster.
P position switch
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 illuminates.
Check that the shif t position indica-
tor shows P.
■Changing the shift position in 
each power switch mode
●The shift position cannot be 
changed when the power switch is 
in ACC or off.
●When the power switch is in ON, if 
the “READY” indica tor is not illu-
minated, the shift position can 
only be changed to N.
●When the “READY” indicator is 
illuminated, the shift position can 
be changed from P to D, N, or R.
●When the “READY” indicator is 
flashing, the shift position cannot 
be changed from P to any other 
position, even if the rotary shifter 
is operated. Ope rate the rotary 
shifter again after the “READY” 
indicator changes from flashing to 
illuminated.
■Shifting the shift position from 
P to other positions
●While depressing the brake pedal 
firmly, operate the rotary shifter. If 
the rotary shifter is operated with-
out depressing the brake pedal, 
the buzzer will sound and the 
Shift position display and 
how to change the shift 
position 

2395-2. Driving procedures
Owners Manual_USA_M42C01_en
5
Driving
■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.541)
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. 
(  P.572)
 By performing the following 
operation, the shift position 
can be held in N until the shift 
position switches to P without 
activating the automatic P 
position selection function.
1 Operate the rotary shifter and 
change the shift position to N 
when the EV system is oper-
ating.
2 Return the rotary shifter to its 
regular position.
3 Operate the rotary shifter to 
N and hold it there until the 
buzzer sounds.
4 Press the power switch within 
5 seconds after the buzzer 
sounds.
The EV system stops with the shift 
position in N*
Make sure to check that the buzzer 
sounds and “Holding N Push P 
Switch When Done” is displayed on 
the multi-information display.
In order to shift to a position 
other than N, first press the P 
WARNING
■For the rotary shifter
●Do not remove the rotary shifter 
knob or use anything but a gen-
uine Toyota rotary shifter knob. 
Also, do not hang anything on 
the rotary shifter. 
Doing so could prevent the 
rotary shifter from returning to 
position, causing unexpected 
accidents to occur when the 
vehicle is in motion.
●In order to prevent the shift 
position from accidentally being 
changed, do not touch the 
rotary shifter when not using it.
■P position switch
●Do not press the P position 
switch while the vehicle is mov-
ing.
If the P position switch is 
pressed when driving at very 
low speeds (for example, 
directly before stopping the 
vehicle), 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 P 
position switch when not using 
it.
NOTICE
■When exiting the vehicle 
(driver’s seat only)
Check that the shi ft position indi-
cator shows P and that the park-
ing brake indicator is illuminated 
before opening the door and exit-
ing the vehicle.
Keeping the shift position 
in N without activating the 
automatic P position 
selection function