3295-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
5
Driving
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
3305-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usually
be used.
P. 4 1 8
■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 firmly, operate the shift lever. If
the shift lever is operated without 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 posi-
tion has been changed to the desired position by checking the
shift position indicator provided on the instrument 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
downward slopes etc.
Selecting a driving mode
P position switch
3315-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
5
Driving
■For the shift positions
●When the power switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.
●When the power switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not operating),
the shift position can only be changed to N. The shift position will be
changed to N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and held in that posi-
tion.
●When the “READY” indicator is on, 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 another position even if the shift lever is operated. Wait
until the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing to a solid light, and then
operate the shift lever again.
●The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.
In addition, if an attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the
shift lever or by pressing the P position switch in any of the following situa-
tions, the buzzer will sound and the shifting operation will be disabled or the
shift position will automatically change to N. When this happens, select an
appropriate shift position.
●Situations where the shifting operation will be disabled:
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another
position by moving the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal.
• When the shift lever is moved to attempt to change the shift position from
P or N with the accelerator pedal depressed and the vehicle stopped.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P or N to B by
moving the shift lever.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another
position by moving the shift lever while the charging cable is connected to
the vehicle.
●Situations where the shift position will automatically change to N:
• When the P position switch is pressed while the vehicle is running.
*1
• When an attempt is made to select the R position by moving the shift
lever when the vehicle is moving forward.
*2
• When an attempt is made to select the D position by moving the shift
lever when the vehicle is moving in reverse.
*3
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from R to B by
moving the shift lever.
*1: Shift position may be changed to P when driving at extremely low
speeds.
*2: Shift position may be changed to R when driving at low speeds.
*3: Shift position may be changed to D when driving at low speeds.
3325-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
●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 this situation, the
buzzer sounds and a confirmation message is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display to inform the driver that the shift position has changed to N.
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
P. 310
■Automatic P position selection function
In the following situations, the shift position is automatically 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 conditions 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 position 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. 699)
■About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pedal 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 than that of other
vehicles.
●The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is selected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel efficiency will
become low. Usually, select the D position.
■After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 595
3345-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery fr om discharging, avoid leaving the N
position selected for an extended period of time.
■ Situations where shift control system malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs, shift control system malfunctions
are possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, apply the park-
ing brake, and then contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota autho-
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
● When the warning message indicating the shift control system appears on
the multi-information display.
● The display indicates that no shift position is selected for more than a few
seconds.
■ Notes regarding shift lever and P position switch operation
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift lever and P position switch in quick suc-
cession.
The system protection function may activate and it will not be temporarily
possible to shift the shift position other than P. If this happens, please wait
for approximately 20 seconds before attempting to change the shift position
again.
■ When exiting the vehicle (driver’s seat only)
Check that the shift position indicator shows P and that the parking brake is
set before opening the door and exiting the vehicle.
3365-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
Parking brake
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
■ Parking the vehicle
P. 309
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged.
“Release Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display (with
the vehicle reached a speed of 5 km/h [3 mph]).
■ Usage in winter time
P. 517
Operating instructions
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
3385-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
This system allows the headlights and front position lights to be turned
on for 30 seconds when the power switch is off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it with the light switch in
the position after turning
the power switch off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it again to turn off the
lights.
■ Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving, the
daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system is
started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch in the
position. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
■ Headlight control sensor
Extended Headlight Lighting system
IO53PH031
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the
windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.
Air conditioning operation may also be interrupted.
3685-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
The system can detect the following:
●Ve hi cl e s
●Bicyclists
●Pedestrians
The pre-collision system uses a radar sensor and front camera
to detect objects (P. 368) 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. 372)
Detectable objects