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2404-1. Before driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)■
Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer colliding
with your vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when approaching
turns and take them slowly and carefully to avoid sudden braking.
■Important points regarding turning
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the curve
than the wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this, take the
turns wider than you would normally do.
■Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and strong
crosswinds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by
passing buses or large trucks. Frequently check behind when mov-
ing alongside such vehicles. As soon as such vehicle movement
occurs, immediately start to decelerate smoothly by slowly applying
the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight ahead while braking.
■Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer and
ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient before exe-
cuting lane changes.
Page 243 of 770
2414-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)■
Transmission information
To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not use the transmission in
D. Shift the shift position to B.
■If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures
exceeding 30C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If the
engine coolant temperature gauge indicates that the engine is over-
heating, turn the air conditioning off immediately, leave the road and
stop the vehicle in a safe place. (P. 645)
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle
and trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift position to
P.
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2424-1. Before driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
WARNING
Follow all the instructions described in this section.
Failure to do so could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Trailer towing precautions
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded.
( P. 2 3 4 )
■ To avoid accident or injury
● Vehicles with a compact spare tire:
Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehi-
cle.
● Vehicles with the emergency tire puncture repair kit:
Do not tow a trailer when the tire installed is repaired with the emergency
tire puncture repair kit.
● Do not use cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed
range when trailer towing. (if equipped)
■ Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
■ Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while
descending steep or long downhill grades.
■ Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake overheating or reduce braking effects.
NOTICE
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle’s electrical system
and cause a malfunction.
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2444-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the parking 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. 254)
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 “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid 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 the engine
is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops automatically in accor-
dance with the state of the vehicle.)
Performing the following operations 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
Page 247 of 770
2454-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. (P. 260)
Shift the shift position to P.
(P. 254)
Check that the shift position indica-
tor shows P. (P. 253)
Press the power switch.
The hybrid system will stop.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the display on the
instrument cluster is off.
The meter display sequentially turns off after the hybrid system stops.
(P. 248)
Stopping the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5
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2464-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
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 minutes 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. However, 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 specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 8 2
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 174
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
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2474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)■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.
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 190
■Note for the entry function
P. 191
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 9 1 )
Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any
reliable repairer.
●If a message related to start-up is shown on the multi-information 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 after perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immedi-
ately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 8 5
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 554
■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, please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid sys-
tem.
■Automatic P position selection function
P. 256
■When the shift control system malfunctions
When attempting to turn the power switch off while there is a malfunction in
the shift control system, the power switch mode may change to ACCES-
SORY mode. In this case, ACCESSORY mode may be turned off by applying
the parking brake and pressing the power switch again. If there is a malfunc-
tion in the system, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
Page 255 of 770

253
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Hybrid transmission
Shift lever
Operate the shift lever gently and ensure correct shifting operation.
Release the shift lever after each shifting operation to allow it to return to
the position.
When shifting from P to N, D or R, 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
The current shift position is highlighted.
When any shift position other than D or B is selected, the arrow toward B
and B position indicator disappear from the shift position indicator.
When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift position has
been changed to the desired position by checking the shift position
indicator provided on the instrument cluster.
Shifting the shift lever
1
When shifting to the D or R, move the shift lever along the shift
gate.
To shift to the N, slide the shift lever to the left (left-hand drive
vehicle) or right (right-hand driv e vehicle) and hold it. The shift
position will change to N.
To shift to the B, pull the shift lever down. Shifting to B is only pos-
sible when shift position D is selected.
2