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Toyota Prius (2023 year). Manual in english - page 16

255

4-2. Driving procedures

riv

■

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 the shift lever is moved to attempt to change the shift position from

P or N with the accelerator pedal depressed and the vehicle stopped.

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

moving the shift lever.

●

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

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

lever when the vehicle is moving forward.

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

lever when the vehicle is moving in reverse.

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

moving the shift lever.

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

speeds.

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

: 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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4-2. Driving procedures

■

Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)



P. 222

■

Automatic P position selection function

In the following situations, the shift position is automatically changed to P.

●

When pressing the power switch with the vehicle stopped while the power
switch is in ON mode and the shift position is in a position other than P (after
the shift position has changed to P, the power switch will turn off)

●

If the driver’s door is opened and all of the following conditions are met,
while the shift position is in a position other than P
• The power switch is in ON mode.
• The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
• The brake pedal is not depressed.
To start off the vehicle after the shift position is changed to P, operate the
shift lever again.

: When the power switch is pressed while driving at extremely slow speeds,

such as immediately before stopping the vehicle, the shift position may
automatically change to P. Make sure that the vehicle is completely stopped
before pressing the power switch.

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 (if equipped).

●

Driver’s seat belt is not fastened

●

Driver’s door is opened

●

Approximately 3 minutes elapse after the vehicle stopped

■

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. 639)

■

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. 523

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4-2. Driving procedures

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■

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. 670)

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 P position switch or shift lever when not using them.

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4-2. Driving procedures

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 any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota autho-
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

●

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.

■

When exiting the vehicle (driver’s seat only)

Check that the shift position indicator shows P and that the parking brake is
set before opening the door and exiting the vehicle.

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4-2. Driving procedures

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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. 670)

Operating instructions

1
2

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4-2. Driving procedures

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. 220

■

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 5 km/h [3 mph]).

■

Usage in winter time



P. 453

Operating instructions

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.

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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Headlight switch

Operating the

switch turns on the lights as follows:



Type A

The headlights, front

position, daytime run-
ning lights (



P. 263)

and so on turn on and
off automatically (when
the power switch is in
ON mode).
The front position, tail,
license plate and
instrument panel lights
turn on.
The headlights and all lights listed above (except daytime
running lights) turn on.
The daytime running lights turn on. (



P. 263)

The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.

Operating instructions

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers



Type B

The headlights, front

position, daytime run-
ning lights (



P. 263)

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.

Turning on the high beam headlights

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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This system allows the headlights and front position lights to be turned
on for 30 seconds when the power switch is off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it with the light switch in

the

position after

turning the power switch off.

Pull the lever toward you and
release it again to turn off the
lights.

■

Daytime running light system

To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving, the
daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system is
started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch in the

position. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at

night.

■

Headlight control sensor

Extended Headlight Lighting system

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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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

■

Automatic light off system

●

When the light switch is in the

position: The headlights turn

off automatically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or
turned off.

●

When the light switch is in the

position: The headlights and all lights

turn off automatically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or
turned off.

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

switch to the

position once and then back to the

position.

■

Automatic headlight leveling system

The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the
headlights do not interfere with other road users.

■

Light reminder buzzer

A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off and the driver’s door is
opened while the lights are turned on.

■

12-volt battery-saving function

In order to prevent the vehicle 12-volt battery from discharging, if the light

switch is in the

position when the power switch 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 any autho-
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

■

Customization

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



P. 670)

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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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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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

AHB (Automatic High Beam)



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

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.



: If equipped

The Automatic High Beam uses an in-vehicle front camera 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

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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■

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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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

■

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):
• The vehicle speed is approximately 30 - 40 km/h (19 - 25 mph)

or more.

• 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:
• The vehicle speed is below approximately 25 - 30 km/h (16 - 19 mph)

• 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.

: The vehicle speed at which the high beams are automatically turned on/

off may vary depending on the country for which the vehicle is approved.

■

Front camera 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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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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●

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 front camera is deformed or dirty.
• The front camera 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.

■

If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display

The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any autho-
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

Fog light switch

Turns the front and

rear fog lights off

Turns the front fog

lights on

Turns both front and

rear fog lights on

Releasing the switch ring returns it

to .

Operating the switch ring again turns only the rear fog light off.

■

Fog lights can be used when

Front fog lights: The front position lights are turned on.
Rear fog light: The front fog lights are turned on.

The fog lights offer improved visibility in difficult driving condi-
tions, such as in rain and fog.

Operating instructions

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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