TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual

3815-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(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 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.
●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.

3825-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
■Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
position is in R.
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
P. 360
■Automatic P position selection function
●If the power switch is on and the shift position is not already P, completely
stopping the vehicle and pressing the power switch causes the shift position
to automatically switch to P and the power switch to turn off
*.
●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 power switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for exam-
ple, just before the vehicle stops), the shift position may automatically
switch to P. Press the power switch after completely stopping the vehicle to
prevent unexpected sudden stopping of the vehicle.
■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. 755)
■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. 645

3835-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
■ When a message related to shift operations is displayed on the multi-
information display
When the shift position does not switch due to a mistaken operation, system
conditions, etc., or when the attempted shift operation is invalid, a message
indicating the correct operation or the reason why switching cannot be per-
formed is shown on the multi-information display. In these cases, follow the
instructions and retry the operation.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 782)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift the shift position suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
■ Shift lever and P position switch
● Do not remove the shift lever knob or use anything but a genuine Toyota
shift lever knob. Also, do not hang anything on the shift lever.
Doing so could prevent the shift lever from returning to position, causing
unexpected accidents to occur when the vehicle is in motion.
● Do not press the P position switch while the vehicle is moving.
If the P position switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for
example, just before the vehicle stops), the vehicle may stop suddenly
when the shift position switches to P, which could lead to an accident.
● In order to prevent the shift position from accidentally being changed, do
not touch the shift lever or P position switch when not using them.

3845-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(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.

3855-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
Turn signal lever
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
Left turn
■ Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that each turn signal light flashes correctly.
■ If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been per-
formed
Operate the lever again.
■ Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed. (Customizable features: P. 782)
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

3865-2. Driving procedures
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(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. 359
■ 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. 567
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.

3875-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
Headlight switch
Operating the switch turns on the lights as follows:
The headlights, front
position lights, daytime
running lights ( P. 388)
and so on turn on and
off automatically (when
the power switch is in
ON mode).
The front position, tail,
license plate and instru-
ment panel lights turn
on.
The headlights and all
lights listed above
(except daytime run-
ning lights) turn on.
With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to turn
on the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once.
You can flash the high beams wi th the headlights on or off.
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
Turning on the high beam headlights
IO53PH030
1
2

3885-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(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 is 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
Follow me home 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.

3895-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
■ Automatic light off system
● When the light switch is in the or position: The headlights turn
off automatically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or
turned off.
● When the light switch is in the position: The headlights and all lights
turn off automatically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or
turned off.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light
switch to the position once and then back to the or posi-
tion.
■ Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the
headlights do not interfere with other road users.
■ Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off and the driver’s door is
opened while the lights are turned on.
■ 12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the vehicle 12-volt battery from discharging, if the light
switch is in the position when the power switch turned off the 12-volt
battery saving function will operate and automatically turn off all the lights
after approximately 20 minutes.
When any of the following are performed, the 12-volt battery-saving function
is canceled once and then reactivated. All the lights will turn off automatically
20 minutes after the 12-volt battery-saving function has been reactivated:
● When the headlight switch is operated
● When a door is opened or closed
■ If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any autho-
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 782)

3905-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.