TOYOTA PRIUS C 2020 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: TOYOTA, Model Year: 2020, Model line: PRIUS C, Model: TOYOTA PRIUS C 2020Pages: 600, PDF Size: 12.02 MB
Page 201 of 600

2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U■
Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automati cally restart
in  the  following  situations.  When  EV  drive  mode  is  canceled,  a  buzzer  will
sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes 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.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hun dred meters
to approximately 1.3 miles (2 km). However, depending on vehicle conditions,
there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used. 
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [t raction battery]
level and driving conditions.)
■ Fuel economy
The  hybrid  system  is  designed  to  achieve  the  best  possible  fuel   economy
during  normal  driving  (using  the  gasoline  engine  and  electric  m otor  [traction
motor]). Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel econ-
omy.
WARNING
■ Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestri-
ans, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the  surrounding
area  may  not  be  aware  of  the  vehicle  starting  off  or  approachin g  them.
Therefore, take extra care while driving even if the Acoustic V ehicle Alerting
System is active. 
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2024-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U
Vehicles  without  a  smart  key  system:  While  the  power  switch
is  in  the  “ON”  position,  move  the  shift  lever  with  the  brake
pedal depressed.
Vehicles with a smart key system: While the power switch is in
ON  mode,  move  the  shift  lever  with  the  brake  pedal
depressed.
When shifting from P to another position; from D to R or P; or  from R
to P, D or B; ensure that the brake pedal is being depressed an d the
vehicle is stationary.
Hybrid transmission
Shifting the shift lever 
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2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
*: To  improve  fuel  efficiency  and  reduce  noises,  set  the  shift  lever  in  the  D
position for normal driving.
Suitable  for  enhancing  the  fuel  economy,  because  the  torque  cor re-
sponding  to  the  accelerator  pedal  depression  amount  can  be  gene r-
ated  more  smoothly  than  it  is  in  normal  conditions  and  the  oper ation
of the air conditioning system ( heating/cooling) will be minimized.
Eco drive mode
When Eco drive mode is turned on,
the  “ECO  MODE”  indicator  will
come on.
Pressing  the  Eco  drive  mode
switch  again  turns  Eco  drive  mode
off.
■ Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air  conditioning  system  to  enhance  fuel  efficiency.  ( P.  376)  To  improve  air
conditioning performance, adjust the temperature setting or fan  speed, or turn
off Eco drive mode. 
■ When the accelerator p edal is depressed while the shift position is in N
A buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift positio n is in N.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
BPosition for engine braking
Selecting Eco drive mode 
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2044-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U■
Restraining sudden start  (Drive-Start Control)
P. 173
■ Shift lock system
The shift lock  system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The  shift  lever  can  be  shifted  from  P  only  when  the  power  switc h  is  in  the
“ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or the power switch is in
ON  mode  (vehicles  with  a  smart  key  system)  and  the  brake  pedal  is  being
depressed.
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brak e pedal, there may
be  a  problem  with  the  shift  lock  system.  Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by  your
Toyota dealer immediately.
The  following  steps  may  be  used  as  an  emergency  measure  to  ensu re  that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without a smart key system:
Turn the power switch to the “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
Turn the power switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry  the  cover  up  with  a  flathead  screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To  prevent  damaging  the  cover,  wrap
the tip of the flathead screwdriver with a
tape.
Press the shift lock override button.
The  shift  lever  can  be  shifted  while  the
button is pressed.
1
2
3
4
5 
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2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly. 
Sudden  changes  in  engine  braking  may  cause  the  vehicle  to  spin  or  skid,
resulting in an accident.
■ To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to se t the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of t he brake pedal
when  the  shift  lock  override  button  is  pressed  and  the  shift  le ver  is  shifted
out  of  P,  the  vehicle  may  suddenly  start,  possibly  leading  to  a n  accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■ Hybrid battery (tract ion battery) charge
If  the  shift  lever  is  in  N,  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  batter y)  will  not  be
charged  even  when  the  engine  is  running.  Therefore,  if  the  vehi cle  is  left
with the shift lever in N for a long period of time, the hybrid  battery (traction
battery)  will  discharge,  and  this  may  result  in  the  vehicle  not  being  able  to
start. 
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2064-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS c_U
Right turn
Lane  change  to  the  right  (push
and hold the lever partway)
The  right  hand  signals  will  flash
until you release the lever.
Lane  change  to  the  left  (push
and hold the lever partway)
The left hand signals will flash until
you release the lever.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The power switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The power switch is in ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check  that  a  light  bulb  in  the  front  or  rear  turn  signal  lights   has  not  burned
out.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4 
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2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
To  set  the  parking  brake,  fully
pull  the  parking  brake  lever
while  depressing  the  brake
pedal.
To  release  the  parking  brake,
slightly raise the lever and
lower  it  completely  while  press-
ing the button.
■Parking the vehicle
P. 172
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of appr oximately 3 mph
(5 km/h) or more with the parking brake engaged. ( P. 481, 492)
■ Usage in winter time
P. 274
Parking brake
Operating instructions
U.S.A. Canada
1
2
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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208
PRIUS c_U
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Operating the   switch turns on the lights as follows:
Ty p e  A
The  daytime  running
lights turn on. ( P. 210)
The  side  marker,  park-
ing,  tail,  license  plate,
instrument  panel  lights,
and  daytime  running
lights ( P. 210) turn on.
The  headlights  and  all
lights  listed  above
(except  daytime  running
lights) turn on. 
The  daytime  running
lights turn off. ( P.   2 1 0 )
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated manually. 
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4 
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2094-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U
Ty p e   B
The  daytime  running
lights turn on. ( P. 210)
The  side  marker,  park-
ing,  tail,  license  plate,
instrument  panel  lights,
and  daytime  running
lights ( P. 210) turn on.
The  headlights  and  all
lights  listed  above
(except  daytime  running
lights) turn on.
With  the  headlights  on,  push
the  lever  away  from  you  to turn
on the high beams.
Pull  the  lever  toward  you  to  the
center  position  to  turn  the  high
beams off.
Pull  the  lever  toward  you  and
release  it  to  flash  the  high
beams once.
You can flash the high beams with the headlights on or off.
1
2
3
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2 
Page 210 of 600

2104-3. Operating the lights and wipers
PRIUS c_U
■Daytime running light system
●The daytime running lights illuminate using the same lights as the headlights
and illuminate darker than the headlights. 
● Type A:  To  make  your  vehicle  more  visible  to  other  drivers  during  daytime
driving,  the  daytime  running  lights  turn  on  automatically  when  all  of  the  fol-
lowing conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not  designed for
use at night.)
• The hybrid system is started
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the   or   position
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the parking
brake is set again.
● Type  B:  To  make  your  vehicle  more  visible  to  other  drivers  during  daytime
driving,  the  daytime  running  lights  turn  on  automatically  when  all  of  the  fol-
lowing conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not  designed for
use at night.)
• The hybrid system is started
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the   or   position
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the parking
brake is set again.
● For  the  U.S.A.:  Daytime  running  lights  can  be  turned  off  by  ope rating  the
switch.
● Compared  to  turning  on  the  headlights,  the  daytime  running  ligh t  system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it  can help improve
fuel economy.
■ Automatic light off system
Vehicles without a smart key system
● When  the  headlights  are  on:  The  headlights  and  tail  lights  turn   off  30  sec-
onds after the power switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” po sition and a
door  is  opened  and  closed.  (Vehicles  with  a  wireless  remote  con trol:  The
lights  turn  off  immediately  if    on  the  key is pressed  after  all   the  doors
are locked.)
● When  only  the  tail  lights  are  on:  The  tail  lights  turn  off  automatically  if  the
power switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and the driver’s door
is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to “ON” posi tion, or turn the
light switch off once and then back to   or  .
If  any  of  the  doors  or  trunk  lid  is  kept  open,  the  lights  automatically  turn  off
after 20 minutes.