2214-1. Before driving
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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])
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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.
2284-1. Before driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
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 vehicle 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 that 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.
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.
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.
2964-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
The system can detect the following:
●Ve hi cl e s
●Bicyclists
●Pedestrians
: If equipped
The pre-collision system uses a radar sensor and front camera
to detect objects (P. 296) in front of the vehicle. When the sys-
tem determines that the possibility of a frontal collision with an
object is high, a warning operates to urge the driver to take eva-
sive action and the potential brake pressure is increased to help
the driver avoid the collision. If the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision with an object is extremely high,
the brakes are automatically applied to help avoid the collision
or help reduce the impact of the collision.
The pre-collision system can be disabled/enabled and the warning
timing can be changed. (P. 300)
Detectable objects
2974-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)■
Pre-collision warning
When the system determines
that the possibility of a frontal
collision is high, a buzzer will
sound and a warning message
will be displayed on the multi-
information display to urge the
driver to take evasive action.
■Pre-collision brake assist
When the system determines that the possibility of a frontal colli-
sion is high, the system applies greater braking force in relation to
how strongly the brake pedal is depressed.
■Pre-collision braking
If the system determines that the possibility of a frontal collision is
extremely high, the brakes are automatically applied to help avoid
the collision or reduce the impact of the collision.
System functions
3064-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)• While driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving on a curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the front camera
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or front camera is misaligned
●In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking force may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If the braking functions cannot operate to their full extent, such as when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If the vehicle is not properly maintained (brakes or tires are excessively
worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven on a gravel road or other slippery sur-
face
■If VSC is disabled
●If VSC is disabled (P. 443), the pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision
braking functions are also disabled.
●The PCS warning light will turn on and “VSC Turned Off Pre-Collision Brake
System Unavailable” will be displayed on the multi-information display. • If the front of the vehicle is raised or
lowered
3344-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed
appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically
decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is
necessary, the system applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at
this time). The system will respond to changes in the speed of the vehicle
ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver.
Approach warning warns you when the system cannot decelerate suffi-
ciently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your vehicle will also stop (vehicle is
stopped by system control). After the vehicle ahead starts off, pushing the
cruise control lever up or depressing the accelerator pedal (start-off opera-
tion) will resume follow-up cruising. If the start-off operation is not per-
formed, system control continues to keep your vehicle stopped.
When the turn signal lever is operated and your vehicle moves to an over-
taking lane while driving at 80 km/h (50 mph) or more, the vehicle will
accelerate to help to overtake a passing vehicle.
The system’s identification of what is an overtaking lane may be deter-
mined solely based on the location of the steering wheel in the vehicle (left
side driver position versus right side driver position.) If the vehicle is driven
to a region where the overtaking lane is on a different side from where the
vehicle is normally driven, the vehicle may accelerate when the turn signal
lever is operated in the opposite direction to the overtaking lane (e.g., if the
driver normally operates the vehicle in a region where the overtaking lane
is to the right but then drives to a region where the overtaking lane is to the
left, the vehicle may accelerate when the right turn signal is activated).
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower
than the set speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then
returns to constant speed cruising.
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