TOYOTA PRIUS PHV 2012 Owners Manual

251
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pedal will apply
engine braking.
● When the vehicle is driven at high speeds, compared to ordinary gaso-
line-fueled vehicles, the engine braking deceleration is felt less than that
of other vehicles.
● The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is selected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel efficiency will
become low. Usually, shift the shift position to D.
■ When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated
Even if switching the driving mode to power mode with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or
radar cruise control will not be canceled.
■ When canceling Eco drive mode/power mode
● Press the switch again. Also, power mode will be canceled automatically
when the “POWER” switch is turned off. However, Eco drive mode will
not be canceled automatically until the switch is pressed, even if the
“POWER” switch is turned off.
● When in Eco drive mode, if the power mode switch is pressed or the
operation is reversed, the mode will switch to that of the last switch to be
pressed.
■ After charging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
 P. 473
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 639)

252 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
■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.
■ For the shift lever
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.
■ P position switch
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, directly before stopping the vehicle), the vehicle may stop sud-
denly when the shift position switches to P, which could lead to an accident.

253
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
Hybrid battery (tract ion 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 P position contro l system malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs, P position control system malfunc-
tions are possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, apply the park-
ing brake, and then contact your Toyota dealer.
● When the “P LOCK MALFUNCTION ” warning message appears on the
multi-information display. ( P. 548)
● When the shift position indicator remains off.
■ Notes regarding shift lever an d 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 temporarily not be
possible to shift the shift position other than P. If this happens, please wait
for a while before attempting to change the shift position again.

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2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Tur n signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
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.
The turn signal lever can be used to show the following intention of
the driver:
Right turn
Left 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.

255
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
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When driving
Parking brake
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
 P. 533
■ Usage in winter time
 P. 349
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake
pedal with your left foot while
depressing the brake pedal
with your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
U.S.A. Canada

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2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Hor n
■After adjusting the steering wheel
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked.
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked.
(P. 165)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.

257
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The units used on the display may differ depending on the target
region.
The following gauges and meters and display illuminate when the
“POWER” switch is in ON mode:
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Instantaneous fuel consumption
Displays the current rate of fuel consumption.
Shift position indicators
Displays the shift position.
Multi-information display
Presents the driver with a variety of driving-related data. ( P. 266)

258 2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Touch tracer display (if equipped)When the audio control switches,
climate control switches, “DISP”
button or “TRIP” button of the
steering wheel are touched, the
touch tracer display will appear
in front of the gauges, with the
touched button highlighted to
allow the driver to identify the
button that is being operated.
The button can then be operated
by further presses.
If an audio/navigation system is
used that is not compatible with
the steering switches in this vehi-
cle, the audio switch display may
not operate correctly.

259
2-2. Instrument cluster
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2
When driving
MPH or km/h button
The speed units can be selected MPH or km/h.
Press the button to switch the
display between MPH and km/h.

260 2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Instrument panel light controlWhen the headlight switch is turned on while the surrounding area is
dark, the brightness of the instrume nt panel lights can be adjusted by
turning the dial.
Brighter
Darker
■Brightness of the instrument panel light
● If the headlight switch is turned on while the surrounding area is dark, the
instrument panel lights will dim.
If a display is difficult to see, the dimming can be canceled by fully turning
the dial in the direction of .
Turn the dial in the direction of in order to return the dimming.
● If the dial is fully turned in the direction of in the daytime, the bright-
ness of the instrument panel light can be darkened by one level.