Toyota Prius: Transmission

• Shift position purpose and functions
• Shift position display and how to change the shift position

Shift position purpose and functions

Select the shift position depending on your purpose and situation.

*: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, set the shift position in D for normal driving.

When driving with dynamic radar cruise control activated

Even when switching the driving mode to sport mode with the intent of enabling engine braking, engine braking will not activate because dynamic radar cruise control will not be canceled.

If a message about a shift operation is shown

To prevent the shift position from being selected incorrectly or the vehicle from moving unexpectedly, the shift position may be changed automatically or operating the shift lever may be required. In this case, change the shift position following the messages on the multi-information display.

Restraining sudden start (Drive- Start Control)

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.

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 parking 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.

Shift position display and how to change the shift position

1. Shift lever

Operate the shift lever gently and securely in the direction of the arrow on the shift position indicator.

To shift to N, slide the shift lever in the direction of the arrow and hold it.

Release the shift lever after each shifting operation to allow it to return to its regular position ( ).

Shifting to B is only possible when the shift position is in D.

When shifting from P to N, D or R, from N, D, B or R to P, from D or B to R, or from R to D, ensure that the brake pedal is being depressed and the vehicle is stationary.

2. Shift position indicator

Meter display: The current shift position is illuminated.

Shift lever display: The current shift position is illuminated.

When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift position has been changed to the desired position by checking the shift position indicator provided on the instrument cluster.

3. P position switch

Fully stop the vehicle and set the parking brake, and then press the P position switch.

When the shift position is changed to P, the switch illuminates.

Check that the shift position indicator shows P.

Changing the shift position in each power switch mode

• The shift position cannot be changed when the power switch is in ACC or off.
• When the power switch is in ON, if the READY indicator is not illuminated, the shift position can only be changed to N.
• When the READY indicator is illuminated, 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 any other position, even if the shift lever is operated. Operate the shift lever again after the READY indicator changes from flashing to illuminated.

Shifting the shift position from P to other positions

• While depressing the brake pedal firmly, operate the shift lever. If the shift lever is operated without depressing the brake pedal, the buzzer will sound and the shifting operation will be disabled.
• When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift position has been changed to the desired position by checking the shift position indicator provided on the instrument cluster.
• The shift position cannot be changed from P to B directly.

The shift position cannot be changed when

In the following situations, a buzzer will sound to inform you that the shift position cannot be changed. Use the appropriate operation to attempt to change the shift position again.

• When attempting to change the shift position from P with the brake pedal not depressed
• When attempting to change the shift position from P with the accelerator pedal depressed
• When attempting to change the shift position from N while stopped or driving at an extremely low speed with the brake pedal not depressed
• When attempting to change the shift position from N while stopped or driving at an extremely low speed with the accelerator pedal depressed
• When attempting to change the shift position from P or N to B
• When the P position switch is pressed while driving

When driving at an extremely low speed, the shift position may change to P.

The shift position automatically changes to N when

In the following situations, a buzzer will sound to inform you that the shift position has been changed to N.

Use the appropriate operation to attempt to change the shift position again.

• When attempting to change the shift position to R while the vehicle is moving forward

When driving at a low speed, the shift position may change to R.

• When attempting to change the shift position to D while the vehicle is moving backward

When driving at a low speed, the shift position may change to D.

• When attempting to change the shift position from R to B

If the N shift position is selected while driving

If the shift lever is moved to N while driving above a certain speed, the shift position will change to N without holding the shift lever in the N position. In this situation, a buzzer will sound and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display to inform you that the shift position has been changed to N.

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 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.
• 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 vehicle is stopped after the hybrid system has been stopped in an emergency while driving.
• When voltage of the 12-volt battery drops while the shift position is in a position other than P.

*: 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.

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.

Customization

Some functions can be customized.

WARNING

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.

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

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 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 when not using them.

NOTICE

When exiting the vehicle (driver's seat only)

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

Keeping the shift position in N without activating the automatic P position selection function

• By performing the following operation, the shift position can be held in N until the shift position switches to P without activating the automatic P position selection function.

1. Operate the shift lever and change the shift position to N when the hybrid system is operating.
2. Return the shift lever to its regular position ( ).
3. Operate the shift lever to N and hold it there until the buzzer sounds.
4. Press the power switch within seconds after the buzzer sounds.

The hybrid system stops with the shift position in N.* Make sure to check that the buzzer sounds and "Holding N Push P Switch When Done" is displayed on the multi-information display.

• In order to shift to a position other than N, first press the P position switch to change the shift position to P.
• Make sure to operate the shift lever with the hybrid system is operating.

  If the hybrid system is not operating, it may not be possible to hold the shift position in N.

*: To keep this state, do not operate the power switch. If the power switch is operated repeatedly, the power switch will turn off after the shift position has automatically changed to P.

Selecting the driving mode