TOYOTA PRIUS 2012 3.G Owners Manual

191
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, transmission fluid for the
hybrid system, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
If the P position control system is damaged by flooding, it may not be possi-
ble to shift the shift position to P, or from P to other positions. When the shift
position cannot be changed from P to any other position, the front wheels
will lock, and you will be unable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on
the ground, as the front wheels may be locked. In this case, transport the
vehicle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted.

192
2-1. Driving procedures
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic
key on your person starts the hybr id system or changes “POWER”
switch modes.
■ Starting the hybrid system
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Check that the “POWER” switch indicator turns green. If the indi-
cator does not turn green, the hybrid system cannot be started.
When the shift position is N, the hybrid system cannot start. Shift
the shift position to P when starting the hybrid system. ( P. 205)
Press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system can be
started from any “POWER”
switch mode.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the hybrid system is
completely started.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Check that the “READY” indicator is on.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid
light and the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting nor-
mally.
The vehicle will not move when
the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if
the engine is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops auto-
matically in accordance with the state of the vehicle.)
■ Stopping the hybrid system
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 212)
Shift the shift position to P.
( P. 205)
Check that the shift position
indicator shows P. ( P. 202)
Press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system will stop.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the indicator
on the “POWER” switch is off.
STEP 4
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

194 2-1. Driving procedures
■Changing “POWER” switch modes
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.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.
ON mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.

195
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY 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. However, this function cannot entirely pre-
vent the 12-volt battery from discharging. 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 specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 3 4
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 7 6
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving
conditions
The “READY” indicator may flash for a long time when the hybrid system\
is
starting. Driving will become possible once the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated. Wait until the “READY” indicator has illuminated.
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 7 2
■ Notes for the entry function
P. 7 3
■ If the hybrid system does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 135)
Contact your Toyota dealer.

196 2-1. Driving procedures
■When the “POWER” switch in dicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the “POWER”
switch with the shift position in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 495
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 454
■ Operation of the “POWER” switch
●When operating the “POWER” switch, one short, firm press is enough. If
the switch is pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the
“POWER” switch mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and
hold the switch.
● If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning 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 the hybrid system.
■ Automatically P position selection function
P. 207

197
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
When the P position cont rol system malfunctions
The “POWER” switch will not be able to be turned off. In such a case, the
switch can be turned off after applying the parking brake.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Ending display
When the “POWER” switch is turned off, each of the following will be dis-
played on the multi-information display, and will extinguish after approxi-
mately 30 seconds.
●The driving distance, driving time, consumption and eco savings since
the hybrid system was started.
● The odometer/trip meter
● The clock
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any cir-
cumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehi-
cle, press and hold the “POWER” switch for more than 3 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 556)
However, do not touch the “POWER” switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will \
be lost.
This will make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over
and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

198 2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long
periods of time without the hybrid system on.
● If the hybrid system is off, but the indicator on the “POWER” switch is illu-
minated, this indicates that the “POWER” switch is still turned on. When
exiting the vehicle, always check that the “POWER” switch is off.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the “POWER” switch
If the “POWER” switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than
usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer immediately.

199
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas late at night, or in
indoor parking lots etc. without concern for noises and exhaust gas
emissions.
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned
on, the EV drive mode indica-
tor will come on.
Pressing the switch when in
EV drive mode will return the
vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and elec-
tric motor [traction motor]).

200 2-1. Driving procedures
■Situations in which EV dri ve mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations.
*
If it cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown
on the multi-information display.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high
speeds, etc.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32
F (0C)
for a long period of time etc.
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
When the amount of remaining hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
displayed on the meter is low. ( P. 42)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
*: Depending on the circumstances, EV drive mode may also not be
switched to in situations other than those above.
■ Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm
up. In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.