2023 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME Owners Manual

2495-1. Before driving
5
Driving
■Total load capacity and seating
capacity
These details are also described on
the tire and loading information
label. ( P.532)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include
total load capacity, seating
capacity, towing capacity
and cargo capacity.
 Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight): P.600
Total load capacity means the
combined weight of occu-
pants, cargo and luggage.
 Seating capacity: P.600
Seating capacity means the
maximum number of occu-
pants whose estimated aver-
age weight is 150 lb. (68 kg)
per person.
 Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend
towing a trailer with your vehi-
cle.
 Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase
or decrease depending on the
weight and the number of
occupants.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle. It
may not only cause damage to
the tires, but also degrade steer-
ing and braking ability, resulting in
an accident.

2505-1. Before driving
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recom-
mend towing a trailer with
your vehicle. Toyota also
does not recommend the
installation of a tow hitch or
the use of a tow hitch carrier
for a wheelchair, scooter,
bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is
not designed for trailer tow-
ing or for the use of tow
hitch mounted carriers.
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed
to be dinghy towed (with 4
wheels on the ground)
behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to
your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with 4
wheels on the ground.

2515-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
5-2.Driving procedures
1Check that the AC charging
cable is disconnected.
( P.116)
2 Pull the parking brake switch
to check that the parking
brake is set. ( P.263)
The parking brake indicator will
come on.
3 Firmly depress the brake
pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid sys-
tem cannot be started.
When the shift position is N, the
hybrid system cannot start. Shift
the shift position to P when starting
the hybrid system. ( P.257)
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 hybrid system will operate nor-
mally. Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the “READY” indicator is
illuminated.
The hybrid 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 illumination operates
as follows.
●When driver’s door or front pas-
senger’s door is opened, the
power switch illumination illumi-
nates.
●When the power switch is in OFF
and depressing the 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 hybrid system does not
start
●The immobilizer system may not
have been deactivated. ( P.70)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
Power (ignition)
switch
Performing the following
operations when carrying
the electronic key on your
person starts the hybrid
system or changes power
switch modes.
Starting the hybrid sys-
tem

2525-2. Driving procedures
●If a message related to start-up is
shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and fol-
low the instructions.
●If the door is unlocked with the
mechanical key, the hybrid system
cannot be started using the smart
key system. Refer to P.588 to start
the hybrid system. However, if the
electronic key is carried inside the
vehicle and the doors are locked
(  P.187), the hybrid system can
be started.
■When the ambient temperature
is low, such as during winter
driving conditions
●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.
●When the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is extremely cold (below
approximately -22°F [-30°C])
under the influence of the outside
temperature, it may not be possi-
ble to start the hybrid system. In
this case, try to start the hybrid
system again after the tempera-
ture of the hybrid battery
increases due to the outside tem-
perature increase etc.
■Sounds and vibrations specific
to a Hybrid Electric Vehicle
 P.79
■If the 12-volt battery is dis-
charged
The hybrid system cannot be
started using the smart key system.
Refer to P.589to restart the hybrid
system.
■Electronic key battery depletion
 P.180
■Conditions affecting operation
 P.205
■Note for the entry function
 P.206
■If “Smart Key System malfunc-
tion See owner’s manual” is
displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctioning.
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.
■When “Check Fuel Cap” is dis-
played on the mu lti-information
display
 P.281
■If the hybrid system is malfunc-
tioning
 P.87
■Electronic key battery
 P.538
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly
and firmly, the power switch mode
may not change or the hybrid sys-
tem may not start.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid
system immediately after turning
the power switch to OFF, the
hybrid system may not start in
some cases. After turning the
power switch to OFF, please wait
a few seconds before restarting
the hybrid system.
■Customization
If the smart key system has been
deactivated in a customized setting,
refer to P.588.

2535-2. Driving procedures
5
Driving
1Stop the vehicle completely.
2 If the parking brake is in man-
ual mode, set the parking
brake. ( P.263)
3 Press the P position switch.
( P.257)
Check that the shift position indica-
tor shows P and the parking brake
indicator is illuminated.
4Press the power switch.
The hybrid system will stop, and the meter display will
be extinguished
(the shift position indicator will be
extinguished a few seconds after
the meter display).
5 Release the brake pedal and
check that “ACCESSORY” or
“POWER ON” is not shown
on the meter.
■When the shift control system
malfunctions
If the shift control system is malfunc-
tioning, when attempting to turn the
power switch off, it may not be able
to be turned off. In this situation, it
may be possible to turn the power
switch off by applying the parking
brake and then operating the power
switch.
If there is a malfunction in the sys-
tem, have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer immediately.
■Automatic hybrid system shut
off feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a
feature that automa tically shuts off
the hybrid system when the shift
position is in P with the hybrid sys-
tem operating for an extended
period.
●The hybrid system will automati-
cally shut off after approximately 1
hour if it has been left operating
while the shift position is in P.
●The timer for the automatic hybrid
system shut off fe ature 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.187) from the inside
or the mechanical key ( P.587)
from the outside, the automatic
hybrid system shut off feature will
be disabled. The timer for the
automatic hybrid system shut off
feature will be re- enabled if the
driver’s door is opened.
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid sys-
tem
Always start the hybrid system
while sitting in the driver’s seat.
Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting the hybrid
system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident
resulting in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■When starting the hybrid sys-
tem
If the hybrid system becomes diffi-
cult 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 somewhat differently
than usual, such as the switch
sticking slightly, there may be a
malfunction. Contact your Toyota
dealer immediately.
Stopping the hybrid sys-
tem

2545-2. Driving procedures
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 hybrid system
in an emergency
●If you want to stop the hybrid
system in an emergency while
driving the vehicle, press and
hold the power switch for more
than 2 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in suc-
cession. (P.547)
However, do not touch the
power switch while driving
except in an emergency. Turn-
ing the hybrid system off while
driving will not cause 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-information display
and a buzzer sounds.
●When restarting the hybrid sys-
tem after an emergency shut-
down, shift the shift position to
N and 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
hybrid system.
●Do not leave the vehicle with
the hybrid 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 hybrid system
operating in an area with snow
build-up, or where it is snowing.
If snowbanks build up around
the vehicle while the hybrid sys-
tem is operating, exhaust gases
may collect and enter the vehi-
cle.
Changing power switch
modes

2555-2. Driving procedures
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 meter.
3ON
All electrical components can be
used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on
the meter.
*: ACC mode can be enabled/dis-
abled on the customize menu.
( P.625)
■When ACC customization is in
off
●With the power switch is turned
off, the multimedia system can still
be used for a certain time until the
battery saving function starts
operating.
●When the safe exit assist is oper-
ating, a buzzer will sound and a voice guidance will be given.
(vehicles with safe exit assist)
■Auto power off function
●If the vehicle is left in ACC or ON
(the hybrid system is not operat-
ing) for more than 20 minutes with
the shift position in P, the power
switch will automatically turn to
OFF.
●If the 12-volt battery is low with the
shift position is in P and the power
switch is in ACC or ON (the hybrid
system is not operating), a buzzer
sounds and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information
display. If this continues, the
power switch is automatically turn
to OFF.
However, this function cannot
entirely prevent the 12-volt battery
discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the power switch in ACC or ON
for long periods of time when the
hybrid system is not operating.
A
B
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 hybrid system
on.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “POWER
ON” is displayed on the meter,
the power switch is not in OFF.
Exit the vehicle after turning the
power switch to OFF.

2565-2. Driving procedures
*: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, set the shift posi-
tion in D for normal driving.
■When driving with dynamic
radar cruise control activated
Even when switching the driving
mode to sport mode with the intent
of enabling engine braking, engine
braking will not activate because
dynamic radar cruise control will not
be canceled.
■If a message about a shift oper-
ation is shown
To prevent the shift position from
being selected incorrectly or the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly,
the shift position may be changed
automatically or operating the shift
lever may be required . In this case,
change the shift position following
the messages on the multi-informa-
tion display.
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-
Start Control)
 P.245
Transmission
Select the shift position
depending on your purpose
and situation.
Shift position purpose
and functions
Shift posi-
tionObjective or function
P
Parking the vehi-
cle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
N
Neutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmit- ted)
DNormal driving*
B
Applying engine brak-ing or strong braking
when the accelerator pedal has been
released on steep
downward slopes etc.
WARNING
■When driving on slippery
road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift the shift
position suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine brak-
ing may cause the vehicle to spin
or skid, resulting in an accident.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charge
If the shift position is in N, the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
will not be charged. To help pre-
vent the battery from discharging,
avoid leaving the N position
selected for an extended period of
time.
■Situations where shift con-
trol system malfunctions are
possible
If any of the following situations
occurs, shift control system mal-
functions are possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place on level ground, apply
the parking brake, and then con-
tact your Toyota dealer.