TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS 2012 Owners Manual
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231 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
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.
For the shift lever
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.
P position switch
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, directly before stopping the vehicle), the vehicle may stop sud-
denly when the shift position switches to P, which could lead to an accident.
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232 2-1. Driving procedures
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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 from discharging, avoid leaving the N
position selected for an extended period of time.
Situations where P position control system malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs, P position control system malfunc-
tions are possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, apply the park-
ing brake, and then contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
When the “WHEN PARKING, APPLY PARKING BRAKE SECURELY”
warning message appears on the instrument cluster. (P. 473)
When the parking lock system warning light is illuminated.
When everything except the shift position indicator selection frame is illu-
minated.
When the shift position indicator remains off.
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 a while before attempting to change the shift position again.
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When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Turn signal lever
Turn signals can be operated when
The “POWER” switch is in ON mode.
If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
The turn signal lever can be used to show the following intention of
the driver:
Right turn
Left turn
Lane change to the right
(push and hold the lever
partway)
The right hand signals will
flash until you release the
lever.
Lane change to the left
(push and hold the lever
partway)
The left hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.
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2-1. Driving procedures
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Parking brake
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
P. 469
Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. (P. 319)
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.
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake
pedal with your left foot while
depressing the brake pedal
with your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
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When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Horn
After adjusting the steering wheel
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked.
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked.
(P. 130)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.
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236
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2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The units used on the trip information display etc. may differ
depending on the target region.
The following gauges and meters and display illuminate when the
“POWER” switch is in ON mode:
Hybrid System Indicator
Hybrid System Indicator represents the hybrid system power output
and regenerative charging.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Shift position indicators
Displays the shift position.
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237 2-2. Instrument cluster
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When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Hybrid battery (traction battery) status
The amount of charge remaining in the hybrid battery (traction battery)
is shown by 8 bars.
Trip information display
Displays fuel consumption, driving range, etc.
Odometer and trip meter display
Odometer: Displays the total distance that the vehicle has been
driven.
Trip meter: Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven
since the meter was last reset. Trip meters “A” and
“B” can be used to record and display different dis-
tances independently.
Clock
P. 364
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238 2-2. Instrument cluster
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MPH or km/h button (if equipped)
The speed units can be selected MPH or km/h.
Press and hold the button to
switch the display between MPH
and km/h. For vehicles with
head-up display, the head-up
display also switches.
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239 2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Instrument cluster light control
When the tail light is on, the brightness of the instrument cluster lights
can be adjusted. (For vehicles with the automatic light control sys-
tem, the lights can be adjusted when the tail light is on and the sur-
rounding area is dark.)
Ty p e A
The brightness will change by 4
steps each time the button is
pressed.
The reduced brightness can be
canceled by pressing and holding
the button. To turn on this func-
tion, press the button again.
Ty p e B
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240 2-2. Instrument cluster
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Changing the display
Switches between odometer and
trip meter displays. When the trip
meter is displayed, pressing and
holding the “TRIP” button will
reset the trip meter.
Switching the trip information display
Items displayed can be switched
by pressing the “DISP” button.