TOYOTA PRIUS 2020 Owners Manual (in English)

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4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Hybrid transmission
Shift lever
Operate the shift lever gently and ensure correct shifting operation.
Release the shift lever after each shifting operation to allow it to return to
the position.
When shifting from P to N, D or R, from D to R, or from R to D, ensure that
the brake pedal is being depressed and the vehicle is stationar y.
Shift position indicator
The current shift position is highlighted.
When any shift position other than D or B is selected, the arro w toward B
and B position indicator disappear from the shift position indicator.
When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift pos ition has
been changed to the desired posi tion by checking the shift position
indicator provided on t he instrument cluster.
Shifting the shift lever
1
When shifting to the D or R, move the shift lever along the shi ft
gate.
To shift to the N, slide the shift lever to the left and hold i t. The shift
position will change to N.
To shift to the B, pull the shift lever down. Shifting to B is only pos-
sible when shift position D is selected.
2

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4-2. Driving procedures
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usually
be used.
 P. 3 3 6
■When shifting the shift position to P
Fully stop the vehicle and set
the parking brake, and then
press the P position switch.
When the shift position is
changed to P, the switch indica-
tor comes on.
Check that the P position is
highlighted on the shift position
indicator.
■
Shifting the shift position from P to other positions
● While depressing the brake pedal f irmly, operate the shift lever. I f
the shift lever is operated withou t depressing the brake pedal, the
buzzer will sound and the shifting operation will be disabled.
● When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift pos i-
tion has been changed to the desired position by checking the
shift position indica tor provided on the in strument cluster.
● The shift position cannot be changed from P to B directly.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*
B
Applying engine braking or strong braking when the
accelerator pedal has been released on steep down-
ward slopes etc.
Selecting a driving mode
P position switch

PRIUS_OM_OM47D44U_(U)
2534-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■For the shift positions
●When the power switch is off, the shift position cannot be chan ged.
● 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 h eld in that posi-
tion.
● When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be cha nged from P
to D, N or R.
● When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cann ot be
changed from P to another position even if the shift lever is o perated. 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 happen s, 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.
● Situations where the shift position will automatically change t o 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 l ow
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 thi s situation, the
buzzer sounds and a confirmation message is displayed on the mu lti-infor-
mation display to inform the driver that the shift position has changed to N.
■ Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
position is in R.

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PRIUS_OM_OM47D44U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
P. 226
■ 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 s hift 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 (if equipped).
• 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 aut omatically
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. 638)
■ About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pe dal 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 t han that of other
vehicles.
● The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is se lected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel e fficiency will
become low. Usually, select the D position.
■ After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 513
■ When a message related to shift op erations is displayed on the multi-
information display
When the shift position does not switch due to a mistaken opera tion, 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 case s, follow the
instructions and retry the operation.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 678)

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2554-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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 P position switch or shift lever when not using them.

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4-2. Driving procedures
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 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, a pply the park-
ing brake, and then contact your Toyota dealer.
● When the warning message indicating the shift control system ap pears on
the multi-information display.
● The display indicates that no shift position is selected for mo re 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 sh ift position
again.

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4-2. Driving procedures
4
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. 678)
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

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4-2. Driving procedures
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. 224
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking b rake engaged.
“Release Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display (with
the vehicle reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
■ Usage in winter time
P. 419
Operating instructions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
NOTICE
■ Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to bra ke components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
Headlight switch
Operating the switch turns on the lights as follows:
U.S.A. (type A)
The daytime running
lights turn on. ( P. 262)
The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
instrument panel lights,
and daytime running
lights ( P. 262) turn on.
The headlights and all
the lights listed above
(except daytime running
lights) turn on.
The daytime running
lights turn off.
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
U.S.A. (type B)The headlights and all the lig hts listed above (except day-
time running lights) turn on.
The daytime running lights turn off.
The headlights, side
marker, parking, LED
accent (if equipped),
daytime running lights
(  P. 262) and so on
turn on and off automat-
ically (when the power
switch is in ON mode).
The side marker, park-
ing, LED accent (if
equipped), tail, license
plate, instrument panel
lights, and daytime run-
ning lights ( P. 262)
turn on.1
2
(if equipped)
P
Q