Page 209 of 770
207
3
3-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
Operation of each component
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Outside rear view mirrors
To select a mirror to adjust, turn
the switch.
Left
Right
To adjust the mirror, operate the
switch.
Up
Right
Down
Left
Folds the mirrors
Extends the mirrors
Putting the outside rear view mirror
folding switch in the neutral posi-
tion sets the mirrors to automatic
mode.
Automatic mode allows the folding
or extending of the mirrors to be
linked to locking/unlocking of the
doors.
Adjustment procedure
1
1
2
2
1
2
3
4
Folding and extending the mirrors
1
2
Page 210 of 770
2083-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
■Mirror angle can be adjusted when
The power switch is in ACCESSORY or ON mode.
■When the mirrors are fogged up
The outside rear view mirrors can be cleared using the mirror defoggers. Turn
on the rear window defogger to turn on the outside rear view mirror defog-
gers. (P. 463)
■Using automatic mode in cold weather
When automatic mode is used in cold weather, the door mirror could freeze
up and automatic stowing and return may not be possible. In this event,
remove any ice and snow from the door mirror, then either operate the mirror
using manual mode or move the mirror by hand.
■Customization
The automatic mirror folding and extending operation can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 670)
Page 211 of 770
2093-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
3
Operation of each component
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
WARNING
■Important points while driving
Observe the following precautions while driving.
Failing to do so may result in loss of control of the vehicle and cause an
accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
● Do not adjust the mirrors while driving.
● Do not drive with the mirrors folded.
● Both the driver and passenger side mirrors must be extended and properly
adjusted before driving.
■ When a mirror is moving
To avoid personal injury and mirror malfunction, be careful not to get your
hand caught by the moving mirror.
■ When the mirror defoggers are operating
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces, as they can become very hot
and burn you.
Page 223 of 770

2214-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Firmly set the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed, and
then shift the shift position to D.
Release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
When the following unusual operation is performed with the accelera-
tor pedal depressed, the hybrid system output may be restrained.
●When the shift position is shifted to R
*.
●When the shift position is shifted from P or R to forward drive shift
position such as D
*.
When the system operates, a message appears on the multi-informa-
tion display. Read the message and follow the instruction.
*: Depending on the situation, the shift position may not be changed.
■When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. (P. 442)
■For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to conventional vehicles, and it
is necessary to refrain from activities such as sudden acceleration. (P. 449)
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■Restraining the hybrid system output (Brake Override System)
●When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same time, the
hybrid system output may be restrained.
●A warning message is displayed on the multi-information display while the
system is operating. (P. 596)
Starting off on a steep uphill
Sudden start restraint control (Drive-Start Control [DSC])
1
2
3
Page 225 of 770

2234-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY”
indicator is illuminated. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi-
culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the
vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelera-
tor pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake
pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is
powered only by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine
noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement. Even
though the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle proximity notification sys-
tem, drive with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not notice the
vehicle if the surrounding area is noisy.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials
such as leaves, paper or rags.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid
system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more
difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. In the event of an emergency, such as if it
becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 569
Page 226 of 770

2244-1. Before driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Use engine braking (shift position B instead of shift position D) to maintain
a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 2 5 4 )
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, head or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● AWD models: Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not an AWD vehicle designed fo r off-road driving. Proceed with all
due caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.
● Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage
the hybrid system or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
● After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the
brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
Page 231 of 770

2294-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time 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 hold 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. 598, 618
Page 234 of 770
2324-1. Before driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
WARNING
■Load and distribution
● Do not overload your vehicle.
● Do not apply loads unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deteriorati on of steering or braking control
which may cause death or serious injury.