Toyota Prius Prime (2020 year). Owner's manual - part 22

344

5-2. Driving procedures

■

For the shift positions

●

When the power switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.

●

When the power switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not operating),
the  shift  position  can  only  be  changed  to  N.  The  shift  position  will  be
changed to N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and held in that posi-
tion.

●

When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be changed from P
to D, N or R.

●

When  the  “READY”  indicator  is  flashing,  the  shift  position  cannot  be
changed from P to another position even if the shift lever is operated. Wait
until the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing to a solid light, and then
operate the shift lever again.

●

The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.

In addition, if an attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the
shift lever or by pressing the P position switch in any of the following situa-
tions, the buzzer will sound and the shifting operation will be disabled or the
shift  position  will  automatically  change  to  N.  When  this  happens,  select  an
appropriate shift position.

●

Situations where the shifting operation will be disabled:
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another

position by moving the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal.

• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P or N to B by

moving the shift lever.

• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another

position by moving the shift lever while the charging cable is connected to
the vehicle.

●

Situations where the shift position will automatically change to N:
• When the P position switch is pressed while the vehicle is running.

*

1

• When  an  attempt  is  made  to  select  the  R  position  by  moving  the  shift

lever when the vehicle is moving forward.

*

2

• When  an  attempt  is  made  to  select  the  D  position  by  moving  the  shift

lever when the vehicle is moving in reverse.

*

3

• When  an  attempt  is  made  to  change  the  shift  position  from  R  to  B  by

moving the shift lever.

*

1

: Shift  position  may  be  changed  to  P  when  driving  at  extremely  low

speeds.

*

2

: Shift position may be changed to R when driving at low speeds.

*

3

: Shift position may be changed to D when driving at low speeds.

●

If N is selected while driving at a certain speed, even if the shift lever is not
held in the N position, the shift position changes to N. In this situation, the
buzzer sounds and a confirmation message is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display to inform the driver that the shift position has changed to N.

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5-2. Driving procedures

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■

Reverse warning buzzer
When  shifting  into  R,  a  buzzer  will  sound  to  inform  the  driver  that  the  shift
position is in R.

■

Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
P. 320

■

Automatic P position selection function

●

If the power switch is on and the shift position is not already P, completely
stopping the vehicle and pressing the power switch causes the shift position
to automatically switch to P and the power switch to turn off.

*

●

The shift position may also automatically switch to P if one of the following
conditions is detected while the vehicle is stopped by dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range.
• Driver’s seat belt is not fastened
• Driver’s door is opened
• Approximately 3 minutes elapse after the vehicle stopped

*

: If the power switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for exam-

ple,  just  before  the  vehicle  stops),  the  shift  position  may  automatically
switch to P. Press the power switch after completely stopping the vehicle to
prevent unexpected sudden stopping of the vehicle.

■

If the shift position cannot be shifted from P
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery is discharged. Check the 12-volt
battery in this situation. (

P. 703)

■

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 gasoline-
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, select the D position.

■

After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 596

346

5-2. Driving procedures

■

When  a  message  related  to  shift  operations  is  displayed  on  the  multi-
information display
When the shift position does not switch due to a mistaken operation, system
conditions, etc., or when the attempted shift operation is invalid, a message
indicating the correct operation or the reason why switching cannot be per-
formed is shown on the multi-information display. In these cases, follow the
instructions and retry the operation.

■

Customization
Settings (e.g. reverse warning buzzer) can be changed. 
(Customizable features: 

P. 741)

WARNING

■

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.

■

Shift lever and P position switch

●

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.

●

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,  just  before  the  vehicle  stops),  the  vehicle  may  stop  suddenly
when the shift position switches to P, which could lead to an accident.

●

In order to prevent the shift position from accidentally being changed, do
not touch the shift lever or P position switch when not using them.

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5-2. Driving procedures

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NOTICE

■

Hybrid battery (traction 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 shift control system malfunctions are possible
If  any  of  the  following  situations  occurs,  shift  control  system  malfunctions
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 warning message indicating the shift control system appears on
the multi-information display.

●

The display indicates that no shift position is selected for more than a few
seconds.

■

Notes regarding shift lever and 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 not be temporarily
possible to shift the shift position other than P. If this happens, please wait
for approximately 20 seconds before attempting to change the shift position
again.

348

5-2. Driving procedures

Turn signal lever

Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the  lever  partway  and  release
it)

The  right  hand  signals  will  flash  3
times.

Lane  change  to  the  left  (move
the  lever  partway  and  release
it)

The  left  hand  signals  will  flash  3
times.

Left turn

■

Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.

■

If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that each turn signal light flashes correctly.

■

If  the  turn  signals  stop  flashing  before  a  lane  change  has  been  per-
formed
Operate the lever again.

■

Customization
The  number  of  times  the  turn  signals  flash  during  a  lane  change  can  be
changed. (Customizable features: 

P. 741)

Operating instructions

1
2

3

4

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Parking brake

To  set  the  parking  brake,  fully
depress  the  parking  brake  pedal
with  your  left  foot  while  depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot. 
(Depressing  the  pedal  again
releases the parking brake.)

■

Parking the vehicle
P. 319

■

Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged.
“Release  Parking  Brake”  is  displayed  on  the  multi-information  display  (with
the vehicle reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).

■

Usage in winter time
P. 496

Operating instructions

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

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.

350

5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

Headlight switch

Operating the 

 switch turns on the lights as follows:



U.S.A. (type A)

The  daytime  running
lights turn on. (

P. 353)

The  side  marker,  park-
ing,  tail,  license  plate,
instrument  panel  lights,
and  daytime  running
lights (

P. 353) turn on.

The  headlights  and  all
the  lights  listed  above
(except daytime running
lights) turn on.
The  daytime  running
lights turn off.

The headlights can be operated manually or automatically. 

Operating instructions

1

2

3

4

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

U.S.A. (type B)

The headlights and all the lights listed above (except day-
time running lights) turn on.
The daytime running lights turn off.

The  headlights,  side
marker,  parking,  LED
accent  (if  equipped),
daytime  running  lights
(

P.  353)  and  so  on

turn on and off automat-
ically  (when  the  power
switch is in ON mode).
The  side  marker,  park-
ing,  LED  accent  (if
equipped),  tail,  license
plate,  instrument  panel
lights, and daytime run-
ning  lights  (

P.  353)

turn on.

1

2

(if equipped)

3

4

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers



Canada

The  headlights,  side
marker,  parking,  LED
accent  (if  equipped),
daytime  running  lights
(

P.  353)  and  so  on

turn on and off automat-
ically  (when  the  power
switch is in ON mode).
The  side  marker,  park-
ing,  LED  accent  (if
equipped),  tail,  license
plate,  instrument  panel
lights, and daytime run-
ning  lights  (

P.  353)

turn on.
The headlights and all the lights listed above (except day-
time running lights) turn on.
The daytime running lights turn on. (

P. 353)

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

Turning on the high beam headlights

3

4

IO53PH019

1

2

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■

Daytime running light system

●

The  daytime  running  lights  illuminate  using  the  same  lights  as  the  head-
lights, and illuminate dimmer than the headlights.

●

To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving,
the  daytime  running  lights  turn  on  automatically  when  all  of  the  following
conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designed for use at
night.)
• The hybrid system is operating
• The parking brake is released

• The headlight switch is in the 

, 

, 

 or 

*

 position

*

: When the surroundings are bright

The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the park-
ing brake is set again.

●

For  the  U.S.A.:  Daytime  running  lights  can  be  turned  off  by  operating  the
switch.

●

Compared  to  turning  on  the  headlights,  the  daytime  running  light  system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.

■

Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that  blocks  the  sensor  is  affixed  to  the
windshield. 
Doing  so  interferes  with  the  sensor
detecting  the  level  of  ambient  light  and
may  cause  the  automatic  headlight  sys-
tem to malfunction. 
Air  conditioning  operation  may  also  be
interrupted.

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

■

Automatic light off system

●

When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds  after  a  door  is  opened  and  closed  if  the  power  switch  is  turned  to
ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The lights turn off immediately if 

 on

the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)

●

When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and the driver’s
door is opened.

To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light

switch to the 

, 

, 

 or 

 position once and then back to

the 

 or 

 position.

■

12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the 12-volt battery of the vehicle from discharging, if the
headlights and/or tail lights are on when the power switch is turned off, the
12-volt battery saving function will operate and automatically turn off all the
lights after approximately 20 minutes.
When any of the following are performed, the 12-volt battery-saving function
is canceled once and then reactivated. All the lights will turn off automatically
20 minutes after the 12-volt battery-saving function has been reactivated:

●

When the headlight switch is operated

●

When a door is opened or closed

■

If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer.

■

Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. 
(Customizable features: 

P. 741)

NOTICE

■

To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.

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Automatic High Beam

Push  the  lever  away  from  you
with the headlight switch in the

 or 

 position.

Press  the  Automatic  High
Beam switch.

The Automatic  High  Beam  indica-
tor  will  come  on  when  the  head-
lights  are  turned  on  automatically
to  indicate  that  the  system  is
active.

The Automatic High Beam uses an in-vehicle camera sensor to
assess  the  brightness  of  streetlights,  the  lights  of  vehicles
ahead etc., and automatically turns the high beam on or off as
necessary.

WARNING

■

Limitations of the Automatic High Beam
Do not rely on the Automatic High Beam. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings and turning the high beam on or off manually if
necessary.

■

To prevent incorrect operation of the Automatic High Beam system
Do not overload the vehicle.

Activating the Automatic High Beam system

1

2

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

■

Switching to low beam
Pull  the  lever  to  the  original
position.

The Automatic  High  Beam  indi-
cator will turn off.
Push the lever away from you to
activate  the  Automatic  High
Beam system again.

■

Switching to high beam
Press  the  Automatic  High
Beam switch.

The Automatic  High  Beam  indi-
cator  will  turn  off  and  the  high
beam indicator will turn on.
Press  the switch to  activate the
Automatic  High  Beam  system
again.

Turning the high beam on/off manually

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■

High beam automatic turning on or off conditions

●

When all of the following conditions are fulfilled, the high beam will be auto-
matically turned on (after approximately 1 second):
• Vehicle speed is above approximately 21 mph (34 km/h).
• The area ahead of the vehicle is dark.
• There are no vehicles ahead with headlights or tail lights turned on.
• There are few streetlights on the road ahead.

●

If any of the following conditions are fulfilled, the high beam will be automat-
ically turned off:
• Vehicle speed drops below approximately 17 mph (27 km/h).
• The area ahead of the vehicle is not dark.
• Vehicles ahead have headlights or tail lights turned on.
• There are many streetlights on the road ahead.

■

Camera sensor detection information

●

The  high  beam  may  not be  automatically turned  off in  the  following  situa-
tions:
• When oncoming vehicles suddenly appear from a curve
• When the vehicle is cut in front of by another vehicle
• When vehicles ahead are hidden from sight due to repeated curves, road

dividers or roadside trees

• When vehicles ahead appear from the faraway lane on wide road
• When vehicles ahead vehicles have no lights

●

The high beam may be turned off if a vehicle ahead that is using fog lights
without using the headlights is detected.

●

House lights, street lights, traffic signals, and illuminated billboards or signs
may cause the high beam to switch to the low beams, or the low beams to
remain on.

●

The following factors may affect the amount of time taken to turn the high
beam on or off:
• The brightness of headlights, fog lights, and tail lights of vehicles ahead
• The movement and direction of vehicles ahead
• When a vehicle ahead only has operational lights on one side
• When a vehicle ahead is a two-wheeled vehicle
• The condition of the road (gradient, curve, condition of the road surface

etc.)

• The number of passengers and amount of luggage

●

The high beam may be turned on or off when the driver does not expect it.

●

Bicycles or similar objects may not be detected.

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5-3. Operating the lights and wipers

●

In  the  situations  shown  below,  the  system  may  not  be  able  to  accurately
detect  surrounding  brightness  levels.  This  may  cause  the  low  beams  to
remain  on or the  high beams to  cause problems  for pedestrians, vehicles
ahead or other parties. In these cases, manually switch between the high
and low beams.
• In bad weather (rain, snow, fog, sandstorms etc.)
• The windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt etc.
• The windshield is cracked or damaged.
• The camera sensor is deformed or dirty.
• The camera sensor temperature is extremely high.
• Surrounding brightness levels are equal to those of headlights, tail lights

or fog lights.

• Vehicles  ahead  have  headlights  that  are  either  switched  off,  dirty,  are

changing color, or are not aimed properly.

• When driving through an area of intermittently changing brightness and

darkness.

• When frequently and repeatedly driving ascending/descending roads, or

roads  with  rough,  bumpy  or  uneven  surfaces  (such  as  stone-paved
roads, gravel tracks etc.).

• When  frequently  and  repeatedly  taking  curves  or  driving  on  a  winding

road.

• There is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or

a mirror.

• The back of a vehicle ahead is highly reflective, such as a container on a

truck.

• The vehicle’s headlights are damaged or dirty.
• The vehicle is listing or tilting, due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed etc.
• The high beam and low beam are repeatedly being switched between in

an abnormal manner.

• The driver believes that the high beam may be causing problems or dis-

tress to other drivers or pedestrians nearby.

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■

Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.

Turn the power switch off while the following conditions are met.

• The headlight switch is in the 

 or 

 position.

• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on.
Turn the power switch to ON mode.
Within 60 seconds after step  , repeat pulling the headlight switch lever to
the  original  position  then  pushing  it  to  the  high  beam  position  quickly  10
times, then leave the lever in high beam position.
If the sensitivity is changed, the Automatic High Beam indicator is turn on
and off 3 times.

Automatic High Beam (headlights) may turn on even the vehicle is stopped.

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If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer.

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