TOYOTA PRIUS 2010 3.G Owners Manual

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
You can operate the shift lever only in “D”.
Keep the shift lever in “N” for a while after you shift it to that
position.
The shift lever always returns to this original position after shifting operation.
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172 2-1. Driving procedures
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■Shift position uses
*: Shown only while in “D” position.
■Selecting a driving mode
The following patterns can be selected to suit current driving and
operating conditions.
l
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving
BEngine braking position*

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When driving
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Eco Driving Mode
Use Eco Driving Mode to help achieve low fuel consumption during
trips that involve frequent accelerating and braking.
Press the “ECO MODE” switch once more to cancel the Eco Driving
Mode.
Eco Driving Mode will not be canceled until the “ECO MODE” switch is
pressed, even if the “POWER” switch is turned to OFF.
Press the “PWR MODE” switch to change the driving mode to power
mode.
Power mode
Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable, such as
when driving in mountainous r
egions or when overtaking.
Press the “PWR MODE” switch once more to cancel the power mode.
Turning the “POWER” switch to OFF once will cancel power mode.
Press the “ECO MODE” switch to change the driving mode to Eco Driv\
-
ing Mode.

174 2-1. Driving procedures
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Changing shift ranges to “P” positionPush the “P” position switch with
the brake pedal pressed down.
The “P” position icon is displayed
on the instrument cluster, and the
indicator on the “P” position
switch comes on.
You can only shift to other posi-
tions from “P” when the brake
pedal is depressed.
When parking, check that the “P”
position icon is displayed on the
instrument cluster, and release
the brake pedal gently after
applying the parking brake.
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■Using engine brake
To use the engine braking, shift the shift lever to “B” position.
● During high speed driving, you may feel that deceleration by engine brak-
ing is less than that of a typical vehicle.
● Do not continue normal driving with the transmission in “B” for a long
time.
This may cause decreased fuel economy. To prevent this, use “D” for
normal driving.

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When driving
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■
Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into “R”, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
lever is in “R”.
■ When in heavy traffic
If the shift lever is in “N”, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid putting the shift
lever in “N” for an extended period of time.
■ Eco Driving Mode
When the accelerator pedal is depressed in Eco Driving Mode, it may take
more time to accelerate than usual. This is normal operation.
■ If the system malfunctions
The following situations indicate a problem with the system. 
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
● The indicator on the “P” position switch flashes. However, this does not
indicate a malfunction unless a warning message appears in the multi-
information display.
● All frames of the shift position indicators in the instrument cluster flash.
● The parking system error message appears on the multi-information dis-
play.
● The instrument cluster does not come on when the “POWER” switch is in
ON mode.

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■Alarms
The following table describes circumstances and correction procedures
when only alarms sound.
AlarmSituationCorrection procedure
Interior alarm sounds once The driver attempts to shift
out of the “P” position with-
out pressing the brake
pedal.
The transmission will
not move out of the “P”
position. Press the
brake pedal before
attempting to shift
again.
The “P” position switch is
pressed while the vehicle
is moving.
The transmission will
automatically be set to
the “N” position. Select
the appropriate posi-
tion.
The driver attempts to shift
to the “R” position while the
vehicle is in forward
motion.
The driver attempts to shift
to the “D” position while the
vehicle is in rearward
motion.
The driver attempts to
select the “B” position
while in a shift position
other than “D” and “P”.
The driver attempts to
select the “B” position
while in the “P” position.
The transmission will
not move out of the “P”
position.

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When driving
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*: Follow the warning message displayed.
CAUTION
■
To avoid an accident
Do not hang objects on or attach objects to the shift lever. 
Doing so may cause the shift lever to move and the shift position to change.
AlarmSituationCorrection procedure
Interior alarm beep sounds and warning message
*
If the driver’s door is
opened while the transmis-
sion is in “N”, “D” or “B”. Push the “P” position
switch.

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Tur n signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The “POWER” switch is in ON mode.
■ If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Right turn
Left turn
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
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When driving
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Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. ( P. 261)
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.
■ When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, set the parking brake, push the “P” position
switch and make sure that the vehicle does not move.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking
brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
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CanadaU.S.A.

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Hor n
■After adjusting the steering wheel
Mark sure that the steering wheel is securely locked. 
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked. 
( P. 92)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.
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