brakes TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual

1162-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
●Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid abrupt acceleration and
deceleration. Gradual acceleration and deceleration will make
more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) without
having to use gasoline engine power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration. Repeated acceleration consumes
hybrid battery (traction battery) power, resulting in poor fuel con-
sumption. Battery power can be restored by driving with the
accelerator pedal slightly released.
◆When braking
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and a timely manner. A
greater amount of electrical energy can be regenerated when slow-
ing down.
◆Delays
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at
traffic lights, will lead to high fuel and electricity consumption.
Check traffic reports before leaving and avoid delays as much as
possible. When driving in a traffic jam, gently release the brake
pedal to allow the vehicle to move forward slightly while avoiding
overuse of the accelerator pedal. Doing so can help control exces-
sive electricity and fuel consumption.
◆Highway driving
●Control and maintain the vehicle at a constant speed. Before
stopping at a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to release
the accelerator and gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of
electrical energy can be regenerated when slowing down.
●Electricity consumption will increase significantly when driving at
high speeds in EV mode. If there will be a long distance to the
next external charging point after leaving a freeway, it is recom-
mended to drive in HV mode while on the freeway and change to
EV mode after leaving the freeway.

3595-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. (P. 386)
Shift the shift position to P. (P. 380)
Check that the shift position indicator shows P.
Press the power switch to stop the hybrid system.
Slowly release the brake pedal.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on your
person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Firmly set the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed, and
then shift the shift position to D.
Release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. (P. 559)
■For electricity-saving and fuel-efficient driving
Understand the system characteristics of the vehicle to use the functions of
the hybrid system. Also, keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to con-
ventional vehicles, and it is necessary to refrain from activities such as sud-
den acceleration. Refer to “Plug-in hybrid vehicle driving tips” (P. 115).
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
Parking the vehicle
Starting off on a steep uphill
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3635-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
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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 8 0 )
● 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, head or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage
the hybrid system or cause other serious damage to 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.

3675-1. Before driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in
a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the electronically controlled assist function does not operate, do not fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require
braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● The brake system consists of 2 or more individual hydraulic systems; if
one of the systems fails, the other(s) will still operate. In this case, the
brake pedal should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking
distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.

4185-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
The system can detect the following:
●Ve hi cl e s
●Bicyclists
●Pedestrians
The pre-collision system uses a radar sensor and front camera
to detect objects (P. 418) in front of the vehicle. When the sys-
tem determines that the possibility of a frontal collision with an
object is high, a warning operates to urge the driver to take eva-
sive action and the potential brake pressure is increased to help
the driver avoid the collision. If the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision with an object is extremely high,
the brakes are automatically applied to help avoid the collision
or help reduce the impact of the collision.
The pre-collision system can be disabled/enabled and the warning
timing can be changed. (P. 422)
Detectable objects

4195-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
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Driving
■Pre-collision warning
When the system determines
that the possibility of a frontal
collision is high, a buzzer will
sound and a warning message
will be displayed on the multi-
information display to urge the
driver to take evasive action.
■Pre-collision brake assist
When the system determines that the possibility of a frontal colli-
sion is high, the system applies greater braking force in relation to
how strongly the brake pedal is depressed.
■Pre-collision braking
If the system determines that the possibility of a frontal collision is
extremely high, the brakes are automatically applied to help avoid
the collision or reduce the impact of the collision.
System functions

4285-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
• While driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving on a curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the front camera
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or front camera is misaligned
●In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking force may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If the braking functions cannot operate to their full extent, such as when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If the vehicle is not properly maintained (brakes or tires are excessively
worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven on a gravel road or other slippery sur-
face
■If VSC is disabled
●If VSC is disabled (P. 561), the pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision
braking functions are also disabled.
●The PCS warning light will turn on and “VSC Turned Off Pre-Collision Brake
System Unavailable” will be displayed on the multi-information display. • If the front of the vehicle is raised or
lowered

4565-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed
appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically
decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is
necessary, the system applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at
this time). The system will respond to changes in the speed of the vehicle
ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver.
Approach warning warns you when the system cannot decelerate suffi-
ciently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your vehicle will also stop (vehicle is
stopped by system control). After the vehicle ahead starts off, pushing the
cruise control lever up or depressing the accelerator pedal (start-off opera-
tion) will resume follow-up cruising. If the start-off operation is not per-
formed, system control continues to keep your vehicle stopped.
When the turn signal lever is operated and your vehicle moves to an over-
taking lane while driving at 80 km/h (50 mph) or more, the vehicle will
accelerate to help to overtake a passing vehicle.
The system’s identification of what is an overtaking lane may be deter-
mined solely based on the location of the steering wheel in the vehicle (left
side driver position versus right side driver position.) If the vehicle is driven
to a region where the overtaking lane is on a different side from where the
vehicle is normally driven, the vehicle may accelerate when the turn signal
lever is operated in the opposite direction to the overtaking lane (e.g., if the
driver normally operates the vehicle in a region where the overtaking lane
is to the right but then drives to a region where the overtaking lane is to the
left, the vehicle may accelerate when the right turn signal is activated).
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower
than the set speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then
returns to constant speed cruising.
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5075-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
5
Driving
WARNING
■ Sensors
Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where
this may occur are listed below.
● There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor. (Wiping the sensors will resolve
this problem.)
● The sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen, the screen may show an
abnormal display, or obstacles may not be detected.
● The sensor is covered in any way.
● In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather
● On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass
● The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle
engines, air brakes of large vehicles , or other loud noises producing ultra-
sonic waves.
● The sensor is splashed with water or drenched with heavy rain.
● The sensor is drenched with water on a flooded road.
● The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
● The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
● The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
● The area directly under the bumpers is not detected.
● If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
● The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
● A non-genuine Toyota suspension (lowered suspension etc.) is installed.
● There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the vicin-
ity.
● Towing eyelets are installed.
● A backlit license plate is installed.
In addition to the examples above, depending on the shape and condition of
obstacles, detection may not be possible, or the detection range may be
shortened.

5135-5. Using the driving support systems
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
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Driving
When the Parking Support Brake function detects an obstacle with a
probability of collision, hybrid system output is restricted to restrain an
increase in vehicle speed. (Hybrid system output restriction control: A)
Furthermore, when the accelerator pedal continues to be depressed,
the brakes are applied to reduce the vehicle speed. (Brake control: B)
Operation