2005 Toyota Prius Owners Manual - Page 23

Starting your vehicle Your vehicle is equipped with push button start system. The hybrid system will start automatically by pressing the "POWER" switch briefly with the brake pedal depressed. With smart function 1. Carry the key with you. 2. Press the "POWER" switch briefly with the brake pedal depressed. Without smart function 1. Insert the key. 2. Press the "POWER" switch briefly with the brake pedal depressed. The "READY" light flashes and stays on. Two beeps sound after a few seconds, and the hybrid system will start. (If the ambient temperature is low such as during winter, it may take time until the "READY" light comes on.) You cannot start your vehicle when the brake pedal is not depressed. (For details, see "How to start the hybrid system-" on page 234.) The engine may not start even with the "READY" light on. For efficient use of your vehicle Drive your vehicle with a smooth acceleration and deceleration. When parking, be sure to put the hybrid transaxle in "P". While driving, use the hybrid transaxle in "D". D While driving, energy is recovered through the regenerative brake as the vehicle decelerates. However, for more efficient use, do not accelerate or decelerate your vehicle more than necessary. tion. D In "N", the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be generated. The battery will be discharged requiring unnecessary engine power to recharge. D The hybrid system automatically recharges the hybrid vehicle battery when the remaining battery power is reduced. However, the charging is not available if the hybrid transaxle is "N". D Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleraD The remaining capacity of the hybrid vehicle battery can be confirmed on the energy monitor screen of the multi − information display. See "Information" on page 150 for details. Gradual or non−abrupt acceleration or deceleration will more effectively use the benefits of an electric motor without having to use gasoline engine power. 13