
2044-2. 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.433)
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-info rmation display
and a buzzer sounds.
●When restarting the hybrid sys-
tem after an emergency shut-
down, shift the shift lever 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 ve hicle 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

2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
1OFF*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
2ACC
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-info rmation display.
3ON
All electrical com ponents can be
used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on
the multi-inform ation display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position
other than P or th e shift lever but-
ton is pressed when turning off
the hybrid system, the power
switch will remain ON, will not
turn to OFF.
■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 lever is in P or the shift
lever button is not pressed, the
power switch will automatically
turn to OFF.
●If the 12-volt battery is low with the
shift lever is in P or the shift lever button is not pressed, and the
power switch is in ACC or ON (the
hybrid system is n
ot operating), a
buzzer sounds and a message will
be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display. If this continues, the
power switch is automatically turn
to OFF.
However, this fun ction 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.
If the hybrid system is stopped
with the shift lever in a position
other than P, the power switch
will not be turned to OFF. Per-
form the following procedure to
turn the switch to OFF:
1 Check that the parking brake
is set.
2 Shift the shift lever to P.
3 Check that “IGNITION ON” is
displayed on the multi-infor-
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 “IGNITION
ON” is displayed on the multi-
information display, the power
switch is not in OFF. Exit the
vehicle after turning the power
switch to OFF.
When stopping the hybrid
system with the shift lever
in a position other than P

2064-2. Driving procedures
mation display and press the
power switch shortly and
firmly.
4 Check that “ACCESSORY”
or “IGNITION ON” on the
multi-information display is
off.
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on. Pressing the switch when
in EV drive mode will return the
vehicle to normal driving (using the
gasoline engine and electric motor
[traction motor]).
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
Do not stop the hybrid system
with the shift lever in a position
other P or the shift lever button
pressed. If the hy brid system is
stopped with the sh ift lever in a
position other than P or the shift
lever button pressed, the power
switch will not be turned to OFF
but instead remain ON. If the
vehicle is left in ON, 12-volt bat-
tery dischar ge may occur.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, electric
power is supplied by the
hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery), and only the electric
motor (traction motor) is
used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to
drive in residential areas
early in the morning and
late at night, or in indoor
parking lots etc. without
concern for noises and gas
emissions.
However, when the Acous-
tic Vehicle Alerting System
is active, the vehicle may
produce sound.
Operating instructions

2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Situations in which EV drive
mode cannot be turned on
It may not be po ssible to turn EV
drive mode on in t he following situa-
tions. If it cannot be turned on, a
buzzer will sound and a message
will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●The temperature of the hybrid sys-
tem is high.
The vehicle has been left in the
sun, driven on a hill, driven at high
speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid sys-
tem is low.
The vehicle has been left in tem-
peratures lower than about
68°F(20°C) for a long period of
time etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming
up.
●The hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is low.
The remaining batt ery level indi-
cated in the Energy monitor dis-
play is low. ( P.128)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is
depressed firmly or the vehicle is
on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
Use the EV drive mode when it
becomes available.
■Switching to EV drive mode
when the gasoline engine is
cold
If the hybrid system is started while
the gasoline engine is cold, the gas-
oline engine will star t automatically
after a short peri od of time in order
to warm up.
In this case, you will become unable
t o s w i t c h t o E V d r i v e m o d e . A f t e r t h e
hybrid system has started and the
“READY” indicator has illuminated,
press the EV drive mode switch
before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV
drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the
gasoline engine may automatically
restart in the follo wing situations.
When EV drive mode is canceled, a
buzzer will sound, the EV drive
mode indicator will flash and go off
and a message will be shown on the
multi-informat ion display.
●The hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) becomes low.
The remaining batt ery level indi-
cated in the Ener gy monitor dis-
play is low. ( P.128)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is
depressed firmly or the vehicle is
on a hill etc.
Drive the vehicle for a while before
attempting to turn on the EV drive
mode again.
■Possible driving distance when
driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving
distance ranges from a few hundred
meters to approximately 0.6 mile (1
km). However, depending on vehi-
cle conditions, there are situations
when EV drive mode cannot be
used.
(The distance tha t is possible
depends on the hybrid battery [trac-
tion battery] level a nd driving condi-
tions.)
■Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to
achieve the best possible fuel econ-
omy during normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]). Driving in
EV drive mode more than neces-
sary may lower fuel economy.

2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
1Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to
S6, will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
The initial shift range in S mode
is set automatically to S3, S4 or
S5 according to vehicle speed.
■S mode
●You can choose from 6 levels of
accelerating force and engine
braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide
greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher
shift range, and t he engine revolu-
tions will also increase.
●To prevent the e ngine from over-
revving, upshifti ng may automati-
cally occur when the shift range is
4 or lower.
●When the shift range is 4 or lower,
holding the shift lever toward “+”
sets the shift range to 6.
■Downshifting restriction warn-
ing buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving
performance, downshifting opera-
tion may sometimes b e restricted. In
some circumstances, downshifting
may not be possible even when the
shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will
sound twice.)
■If the “S” indi cator does not
come on or the “D” indicator is
displayed even after shifting the
shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in
the transmission system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately. (In this situa-
tion, the transmission will operate in
the same manner as when the shift
lever is in D.)

2134-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Using the manual mode
The parking brake can be set
and released manually.
Parking brake indicator light
(U.S.A.)
Parking brake indicator light
(Canada)
Parking brake switch indica-
tor
1 Pull the switch to set the parking brake.
The parking brake indicator light
and the parking brake switch indi-
cator will turn on.
Pull and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and
it is necessary to
operate the park-
ing brake while driving.
2 Press the switch to release
the parking brake.
• Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
• Using the parking brake auto- matic release function, the park-
ing brake can be released by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When using this function, slowly
depress the accelerator pedal.
( P.214)
Make sure that the parking brake
indicator light and the parking brake
switch indicator turn off.
If the parking brake indicator
light and the parking brake
switch indicator flash, operate
the switch again. ( P.446)
■Turning the automatic
mode on
While the vehicle is stopped,
pull and hold the parking brake
switch until a buzzer sounds and
a message is shown on the
multi-information display.
Parking brake
The parking brake can be
set or released automati-
cally or manually. In auto-
matic mode, the parking
brake can be set or released
automatically according to
shift lever operation.
Also, even in automatic
mode, the parking brake can
be set or released manually.
Operating instructions
A
B
C

2144-2. Driving procedures
When the automatic mode is
turned on, the parking brake
operates as follows.
When the shift lever is shifted
from P, the parking brake will
be released, and the parking
brake indicator light and park-
ing brake switch indicator will
turn off.
When the shift lever is shifted
to P, the parking brake will be
set, and the parking brake
indicator light and the parking
brake switch indicator will turn
on.
Operate the shift lever with the
vehicle stopped and the brake
pedal depressed.
The auto function may not operate
if the shift lever is moved extremely
quickly or the brake pedal is not
firmly depressed. In this situation,
apply the parking brake manually.
( P.213)
When the hybrid system is off,
the parking brake will be set,
and the parking brake indica-
tor light and the parking brake
switch indicator turn on.
■Turning the automatic
mode off
While the vehicle is stopped and
depressing the brake pedal,
press and hold the parking
brake switch until a buzzer
sounds and a message is
shown on the multi-information
display.
■Parking brake operation
●When the power switch is not in
ON, the parking brake cannot be
released using the parking brake
switch.
●When the power switch is not in
ON, automatic mode (automatic
brake setting and releasing) is not
available.
■Parking brake automatic
release function
When all of the fo llowing conditions
are met, the parking brake can be
released by depressing the acceler-
ator pedal.
●The driver’s door is closed
●The driver is wearing the seat belt
●The shift lever is in a forward driv-
ing position or reverse driving
position
●The malfunction in dicator lamp or
brake system warning light is not
illuminated.
When depressing the accelerator
pedal, depress it slowly.

2154-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
If the parking brake is not released
when the accelerator pedal is
depressed, release the parking
brake manually.
When the shift lever is shifted from
P, the parking brake will be released
automatically.
■Parking brake automatic lock
function
The parking brake will be set auto-
matically under the following condi-
tions:
●The brake pedal is not depressed
●The driver’s door is open
●The driver’s seat belt is not fas-
tened
●The shift lever is in a position
other than P or N
●The malfunction indicator lamp
and brake system warning light
are not illuminated
■If “Parking Brake Temporarily
Unavailable” i s displayed on
the multi-information display
If the parking brake is operated
repeatedly over a short period of
time, the system may restrict opera-
tion to prevent overheating. If this
happens, refrain from operating the
parking brake. Nor mal operation will
return after about 1 minute.
■If “Parking Brake Unavailable”
is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
Operate the parking brake switch. If
the message does not disappear
after operating the switch several
times, the system may be malfunc-
tioning. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a
motor sound (whirring sound) may
be heard. This does not indicate a
malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light
and Parking brake switch indi-
cator
●Depending on the power switch
mode, the parking brake indicator
light and the parking brake switch
indicator will turn on and stay on
as described below:
ON: Comes on until the parking
brake is released.
Not in ON: Stays on for approxi-
mately 15 seconds.
●When the power switch is turned
off with the parking brake set, the
parking brake indicator light and
the parking brake switch indicator
will stay on for abo ut 15 seconds.
This does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
■When the parking brake switch
malfunctions
Automatic mode (automatic brake
setting and releas ing) will be turned
on automatically.
■Parking the vehicle
P.188
■Parking brake engaged warning
buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is
driven with the parking brake
engaged. “Parking Brake ON” is dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play (with the vehicle reaching a
speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
■If the brake system warning
light comes on
P.441
■Usage in winter time
P.314