TOYOTA PRIUS 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2414-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed pr operly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting t he driver or
passengers, possibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever poss i-
ble.
●Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment highe r
than the seatbacks.
●When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be pla ced
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is no t
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with t heir seat
belts properly fastened.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rea r seats (when stacking items)
• On the luggage cover (if equipped)
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehic le
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, d o not apply the load unevenly. I mproper
loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.

242
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 664
Total load capacity means the co mbined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: P. 6 6 4
Seating capacity means the max imum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 1 50 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towi ng a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading inform ation label.
(  P. 542)
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capaci ty,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering
and braking ability, res ulting in an accident.

243
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend 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, bi cy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not des igned for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch mounted carriers.

244
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
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 the four wheels on the ground.
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the hybrid transmission and
AWD system (AWD models)
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the hybrid transmission.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the hybrid
transmission and AWD system.

245
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
When the shift position is N, the
hybrid system cannot start. Shift
the shift position to P when starting
the hybrid system. ( P. 2 5 6 )
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 illumi-
nated.
The hybrid system can be started from any power switch mode.
Check that the “R EADY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a sol id light and
the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if t he engine
is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops automatically in accor-
dance with the state of the vehicle.)
Performing the following opera tions when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the hybrid system or changes
power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4

246
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 2 6 2 )
Shift the shift position to P.
(  P. 256)
Check that the shift position indica-
tor shows P. ( P. 255)
Press the power switch.
The hybrid system will stop.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the display on th e
instrument cluster is off.
The meter display sequentially turns off after the hybrid syste m stops.
( P. 249)
Stopping the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with the brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“Accessory” is displayed on the
main display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“Ignition ON” is displayed on the
main display.
■ Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minut es or ON
mode (the hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift
position in P, the power switch will automatically turn off. Ho wever, this func-
tion cannot entirely prevent the 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the
vehicle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods
of time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■ Sounds and vibrations sp ecific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 87
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 182
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3

248
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driv ing con-
ditions
● When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READY” indicator
may be long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “READY” indic ator is steady
on, as steady means the vehicle is able to move.
● When the hybrid battery (traction battery) is extremely cold (b elow approxi-
mately -22°F [-30°C]) under the influence of the outside temper ature, it may
not be possible to start the hybrid system. In this case, try t o start the hybrid
system again after the temperature of the hybrid battery increa ses due to
the outside temperature increase etc.
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 198
■ Note for the entry function
P. 199
■ If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 95)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● If a message related to start-up is shown on the multi-informat ion display,
read the message and follow the instructions.
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even a fter perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact you r Toyota dealer
immediately.
■ If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 89
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 560
■ Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the power switch mode may
not change or the hybrid system may not start.
● If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after tu rning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting t he hybrid sys-
tem.

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
2494-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Automatic hybrid system shut off feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the hybrid
system when the shift position is in P with the hybrid system operating for an
extended period.
● The hybrid system will automatically shut off after approximately 1 hour if it
has been left running while the shift position is in P.
● The timer for the automatic hybrid system shut off feature will reset if the
brake pedal is depressed or if the shift position is in a posit ion 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. 647) 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.
■ Automatic P position selection function
P. 258
■ When the shift contr ol system malfunctions
When attempting to turn the power switch off while there is a m alfunction in
the shift control system, the power switch mode may change to A CCES-
SORY mode. In this case, ACCESSORY mode may be turned off by ap plying
the parking brake and pressing the power switch again. If there is a malfunc-
tion in the system, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota d ealer immedi-
ately.
■ Meter display
When the power switch is turned off, each display will turn off as follows.
● The shift position indicator will turn off after approximately 2 seconds.
● The multi-information display, clock, etc. will turn off after approximately 30
seconds. (Each display will also turn off immediately if a door is locked
before 30 seconds has elapsed.)
■ If the smart key system has been d eactivated in a customized setting
P. 648

250
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s se at. 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 in jury.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
● If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while dri ving the
vehicle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 second s, or
press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 581)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cau se loss of
steering or braking control, however, power assist to the steer ing will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so yo u 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 bu zzer
sounds.
● When restarting the hybrid system after an emergency shutdown w hile
driving, press the power switch. When restarting the hybrid sys tem after
stopping the vehicle, change the shift position to P and then press the
power switch.
■ 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 a nd 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 ventilated 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 w hile the
hybrid system is operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi-
cle.