TOYOTA PRIUS C 2020 Owners Manual

1914-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt b attery discharge
Do not leave the power switch in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long periods
of time without the hybrid system on.
■ When starting th e hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer immediately.

1924-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
If the shift lever is not set in P, the hybrid system may not be started.
( P. 202)
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system cannot be started.
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 illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started
from any power switch mode.
Power (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system)
Performing the following opera tions 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

1934-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light and a
beep sound, 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 t he engine
is stopped. (The engine starts or stops automatically in accord ance with
the state of the vehicle.)
Stop the vehicl e completely.
Set the parking brake ( P. 207), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the power switch.
Release the brake pedal and c heck that on the multi-infor-
mation display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with brake pe dal
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 power outlet can be used.
will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the hybrid sys-
tem, the power switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing power switch modes
5
1
2
3
4
1
2
3

1944-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other
than P, the power sw itch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the park ing brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that is displ ayed on the multi-information display and
then press the power switch once.
Check that on the multi-information display is off.
■Auto power off function
When the shift lever is in P, if the vehicle is left in ACCESSO RY or ON mode
with the hybrid system not operating for more than 20 minutes ( ACCESSORY
mode) or one hour (ON mode), the power switch will automaticall y turn off.
However, this function cannot entirely prevent 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 sp ecific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 80
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 123
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driv ing con-
ditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READ Y” indicator
may be long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “READY” indic ator is steady
on, as steady means the vehicle is able to move.
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 143
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a posi-
tion other than P
1
2
3
4

1954-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U■
Notes for the entry function
P. 144
■ If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 88)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
power switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period
of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system . After about 10
seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning. ● Check that the shift lever is securely set
in P. The hybrid system may not start if
the shift lever is not securely in the P
position. “SHIFT INTO P POSITION TO
START” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
“STEERING LOCK ACTIVE” will be dis-
played on the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Press the power switch while turning the
steering wheel left and right.

1964-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U■
If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even a fter perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact you r Toyota dealer
immediately.
■ If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 489
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 451
■ 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 tu rning 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 t he hybrid sys-
tem.
■ If the smart key system has been d eactivated in a customized setting
P. 520

1974-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s se at. 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 in jury.
■ Caution while driving
If a hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Doing so
may cause activation of the steering lock which may lead to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
■ When “CHECK SMART KEY SYSTEM” is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately. Failure to do so may lead to the sys tem operat-
ing abnormally and possibly cause an accident or damage to the vehicle.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while dri ving the
vehicle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 second s, or press
it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 469)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cau se loss of
steering or braking control, however, power assist to the steer ing will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so yo u should pull over
and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

1984-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt b attery discharge
● Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.
● If is displayed on the multi-information display, the power sw itch is
not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch off.
● Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other
than P. If the hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the
power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to AC CESSORY
mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery dis-
charge may occur.
■ When starting the hybrid system
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
● If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunction 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 malfunctio n. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.

1994-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on.
Pressing the switch when in EV
drive mode will return the vehicle to
normal driving (using the gasoline
engine and electric motor [traction
motor]).
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, electric power is supplied by the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), and only the electric motor (traction
motor) is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the
morning and late at night, or in indoor parking lots etc. without
concern for noises and exhaust gas emissions.
However, when the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System is active,
the vehicle may produce sound.

2004-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U
■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 68
F (20C) for
a long period of time etc.
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the energy monitor dis play is low.
( P. 112)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
■ Switching to EV drive mode whe n 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 h as illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engin e starts to
switch to EV drive mode.