TOYOTA PRIUS 2023 Owners Manual

2394-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to
avoid accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind
when towing:
■Checking connections between trailer and lights
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection between
the trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as well as before
starting off.
■Practicing driving with a coupled trailer
● Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer
coupled by practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
● When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the
steering wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the
trailer left or counterclockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a little
at a time to prevent steering error. Have someone guide you
when reversing to lessen the risk of an accident.
■Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the distance to the vehicle running
ahead of you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined
length of your vehicle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that may
cause skidding. Otherwise, the vehicle may spin out of control. This
is especially true when driving on wet or slippery road surfaces.
NOTICE
■ When the rear bumper strengthening material is aluminum
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that
area.
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to
corrosion, which will weaken the section concerned and may result in dam-
age. Apply a rust inhibitor to parts that will come in contact when attaching a
steel bracket.
Guidance

2404-1. Before driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)■
Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer colliding
with your vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when approaching
turns and take them slowly and carefully to avoid sudden braking.
■Important points regarding turning
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the curve
than the wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this, take the
turns wider than you would normally do.
■Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and strong
crosswinds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by
passing buses or large trucks. Frequently check behind when mov-
ing alongside such vehicles. As soon as such vehicle movement
occurs, immediately start to decelerate smoothly by slowly applying
the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight ahead while braking.
■Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer and
ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient before exe-
cuting lane changes.

2414-1. Before driving
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)■
Transmission information
To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not use the transmission in
D. Shift the shift position to B.
■If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures
exceeding 30C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If the
engine coolant temperature gauge indicates that the engine is over-
heating, turn the air conditioning off immediately, leave the road and
stop the vehicle in a safe place. (P. 645)
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle
and trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift position to
P.

2424-1. Before driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
WARNING
Follow all the instructions described in this section.
Failure to do so could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Trailer towing precautions
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded.
( P. 2 3 4 )
■ To avoid accident or injury
● Vehicles with a compact spare tire:
Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehi-
cle.
● Vehicles with the emergency tire puncture repair kit:
Do not tow a trailer when the tire installed is repaired with the emergency
tire puncture repair kit.
● Do not use cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed
range when trailer towing. (if equipped)
■ Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
■ Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while
descending steep or long downhill grades.
■ Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake overheating or reduce braking effects.
NOTICE
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle’s electrical system
and cause a malfunction.

243
4
4-1. Before driving
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Trailer towing (AWD models)
Toyota does not recommend
towing a trailer with your vehi-
cle. Toyota also does not rec-
ommend the installation of a
tow hitch or the use of a tow
hitch carrier for a wheelchair,
scooter, bicycle, etc. Your
vehicle is not designed for
trailer towing or for the use of
tow hitch mounted carriers.

2444-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
When the shift position is N, the
hybrid system cannot start. Shift
the shift position to P when starting
the hybrid system. (P. 254)
Press the power switch shortly
and firmly.
When operating the power switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It
is not necessary to press and hold
the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
The hybrid system can be started from any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light and
the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting normally.
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 automatically in accor-
dance with the state of the vehicle.)
Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the hybrid system or changes
power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4

2454-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. (P. 260)
Shift the shift position to P.
(P. 254)
Check that the shift position indica-
tor shows P. (P. 253)
Press the power switch.
The hybrid system will stop.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the display on the
instrument cluster is off.
The meter display sequentially turns off after the hybrid system stops.
(P. 248)
Stopping the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5

2464-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
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.
“Accessory” is displayed on the
main display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“Ignition ON” is displayed on the
main display.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes 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 func-
tion cannot entirely prevent the 12-volt battery discharge. 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. 8 2
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 174
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3

2474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving con-
ditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READY” indicator
may be long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “READY” indicator is steady
on, as steady means the vehicle is able to move.
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 190
■Note for the entry function
P. 191
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 9 1 )
Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any
reliable repairer.
●If a message related to start-up is shown on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the instructions.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immedi-
ately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 8 5
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 554
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the power switch mode may
not change or the hybrid system may not start.
●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 sys-
tem.
■Automatic P position selection function
P. 256
■When the shift control system malfunctions
When attempting to turn the power switch off while there is a malfunction in
the shift control system, the power switch mode may change to ACCES-
SORY mode. In this case, ACCESSORY mode may be turned off by applying
the parking brake and pressing the power switch again. If there is a malfunc-
tion in the system, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.

2484-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
■ Meter display
When the power switch is turned off, each display will turn off as follows.
● The shift position indicator will turn off after approximately 2 seconds.
● The multi-information display, clock, etc. will turn off after approximately 30
seconds. (Each display will also turn off immediately if a door is locked
before 30 seconds has elapsed.)
■ If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated in a customized
setting
 P. 637
WARNING
■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
circumstances.
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
vehicle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds, or
press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 569)
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, however, power assist to the steering will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull
over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
● If the power switch is operated while the vehicle is running, a warning
message will be shown on the multi-information display and a buzzer
sounds.
● When restarting the hybrid system after an emergency shutdown while
driving, press the power switch. When restarting the hybrid system after
stopping the vehicle, change the shift position to P and then press the
power switch.