steering TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID 2017 Owner's Guide

3175-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Use engine braking (shift position B instead of shift position D) to maintain
a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 3 3 4 )
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
● After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the
brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.

3225-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain driving torque.
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift the shift position to P. Failure to do
so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire: P. 658

3245-1. Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load.
WARNING
■ Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compartment:
● Receptacles containing gasoline
● Aerosol cans
■ Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent t he pedals from being depressed properly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may re sult in items hitting the driver or pas-
sengers, possibly causing an accident.
● Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever possible.
● Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment higher than
the seatbacks.
● When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be placed
directly behind the front seats.
● Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not designed
for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat belts prop-
erly fastened.
● Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the luggage cover
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
● Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
■ Load and distribution
● Do not overload your vehicle.
● Do not apply loads unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deteriorati on of steering or braking control
which may cause death or serious injury.

3315-2. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
■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 sec-
onds has elapsed.)
■ If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated in a customized
setting
 P. 679
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. 633)
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.

3595-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
Toyota Safety Sense
◆PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system)
 P. 3 6 8
◆LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control)
 P. 3 8 2
◆AHS (Adaptive High-beam System)
 P. 3 4 5
◆RSA (Road Sign Assist)
 P. 3 9 2
◆Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
 P. 3 9 7
The Toyota Safety Sense consists of the following drive assist
systems and contributes to a safe and comfortable driving expe-
rience:
WARNING
■ Toyota Safety Sense
The Toyota Safety Sense is designed to operate under the assumption that
the driver will drive safely, and is designed to help reduce the impact to the
occupants and the vehicle in the case of a collision or assist the driver in
normal driving conditions.
As there is a limit to the degree of recognition accuracy and control perfor-
mance that this system can provide, do not overly rely on this system. The
driver is always responsible for paying attention to the vehicle’s surround-
ings and driving safely.

3705-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
WARNING
■Limitations of the pre-crash safety system
● The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
Do not use the pre-crash safety system instead of normal braking opera-
tions under any circumstances. This system will not prevent collisions or
lessen collision damage or injury in every situation. Do not overly rely on
this system. Failure to do so may lead to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury.
● Although this system is designed to help avoid a collision or help reduce
the impact of the collision, its effectiveness may change according to vari-
ous conditions, therefore the system may not always be able to achieve
the same level of performance.
Read the following conditions carefully. Do not overly rely on this system
and always drive carefully.
• Conditions under which the system may operate even if there is no pos-
sibility of a collision: P. 376
• Conditions under which the system may not operate properly: P. 3 7 8
● Do not attempt to test the operation of the pre-crash safety system your-
self, as the system may not operate properly, possibly leading to an acci-
dent.
■ Pre-crash braking*3
●When the pre-crash braking function is operating, a large amount of brak-
ing force will be applied.
● If the vehicle is stopped by the operation of the pre-crash braking function,
the pre-crash braking function operation will be canceled after approxi-
mately 2 seconds. Depress the brake pedal as necessary.
● The pre-crash braking function may not operate if certain operations are
performed by the driver. If the accelerator pedal is being depressed
strongly or the steering wheel is bei ng turned, the system may determine
that the driver is taking evasive action and possibly prevent the pre-crash
braking function from operating.
● In some situations, while the pre-crash braking function is operating, oper-
ation of the function may be canceled if the accelerator pedal is depressed
strongly or the steering wheel is turned and the system determines that
the driver is taking evasive action.
● If the brake pedal is being depressed, the system may determine that the
driver is taking evasive action and possibly delay the operation timing of
the pre-crash braking function.
*3: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was sold, the pre-crash
braking function may not be available.

3755-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
Region C
(The pedestrian detection function and pre-crash braking function are not
available)
The pre-crash safety system is enabled and the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle is high.
Each function is operational at the following speeds:
●Pre-crash warning:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 15 and 180 km/h (10 and 110
mph).
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is
approximately 10 km/h (7 mph) or more.
●Pre-crash brake assist:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 30 and 180 km/h (19 and 110
mph).
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is
approximately 30 km/h (19 mph) or more.
The system may not operate in the following situations:
●If a 12-volt battery terminal has been disconnected and reconnected and
then the vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of time
●If the shift lever is in R
●If VSC is disabled (only the pre-crash warning function will be operational)
●If the PCS warning light is flashing or illuminated
■Pedestrian detection function
*4
*4: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was sold, the pedestrian
detection function may not be available.
■Cancelation of the pre-crash braking
*3
If either of the following occur while the pre-crash braking function is operat-
ing, it will be canceled:
●The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly.
●The steering wheel is turned sharply or abruptly.
*3: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was sold, the pre-crash brak-
ing function may not be available. The pre-crash safety system detects
pedestrians based on the size, profile,
and motion of a detected object. However,
a pedestrian may not be detected
depending on the surrounding brightness
and the motion, posture, and angle of the
detected object, preventing the system
from operating properly. (P. 380)

3825-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering
control)
When driving on highways and freeways with white (yellow) lines, this
function alerts the driver when the vehicle might depart from its lane
and provides assistance by operating the steering wheel to keep the
vehicle in its lane.
The LDA system recognizes visi-
ble white (yellow) lines with the
camera sensor on the upper por-
tion of the front windshield.
◆Lane departure alert function
When the system determines
that the vehicle might depart
from its lane, a warning is dis-
played on the multi-information
display and the warning buzzer
sounds to alert the driver.
When the warning buzzer
sounds, check the surrounding
road situation and carefully
operate the steering wheel to
move the vehicle back to the
center of the lane.
Summary of functions
Functions included in LDA system

3835-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
5
Driving
◆Steering control function
When the system determines
that the vehicle might depart
from its lane, the system pro-
vides assistance as necessary
by operating the steering wheel
in small amounts for a short
period of time to keep the vehi-
cle in its lane.
If the system detects that the
steering wheel has not been
operated for a fixed amount of
time or the steering wheel is not
being firmly gripped, a warning
is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display and the function
is temporarily canceled.
◆Vehicle sway warning
When the vehicle is swaying or
appears as if it may depart from
its lane multiple times, the
warning buzzer sounds and a
message is displayed on the
multi-information display to alert
the driver.

3845-5. Using the driving support systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A89E_(EE)
WARNING
■Before using LDA system
Do not rely solely upon the LDA system. The LDA system does not auto-
matically drive the vehicle or reduce the amount of attention that must be
paid to the area in front of the vehicle. The driver must always assume full
responsibility for driving safely by paying careful attention to the surround-
ing conditions and operating the steering wheel to correct the path of the
vehicle. Also, the driver must take adequate breaks when fatigued, such as
from driving for a long period of time.
Failure to perform appropriate driving operations and pay careful attention
may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■ To avoid operating LDA system by mistake
When not using the LDA system, use the LDA switch to turn the system off.
■ Situations unsuitable for LDA system
Do not use the LDA system in the following situations.
The system may not operate properly and lead to an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.
● Tire chains are equipped.
● When the tires have been excessively worn, or when the tire inflation pres-
sure is low.
● Tires which differ by structure, manufacturer, brand or tread pattern are
used.
● Objects or patterns that could be mistaken for white (yellow) lines are
present on the side of the road (guardrails, curbs, reflective poles etc.).
● Vehicle is driven on a snow-covered road.
● White (yellow) lines are difficult to see due to rain, snow, fog, dust, etc.
● Asphalt repair marks, white (yellow) line marks, etc., are present due to
road repair.
● Vehicle is driven in a temporary lane or restricted lane due to construction
work.
● Vehicle is driven on a road surface which is slippery due to rainy weather,
fallen snow, freezing, etc.
● Vehicle is driven in traffic lanes other than on highways and freeways.
● Vehicle is driven in a construction zone.