EV drive mode In EV drive mode, electric power is supplied by the hybrid battery (traction battery), and only the electric motor (traction motor) is used to drive the vehicle. This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the morning and late at night, or in indoor parking lots etc. without concern for noises and gas emissions. However, when the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System is active, the vehicle may produce sound. Switches EV drive mode switch EV drive mode indicatorOperating instructions Turns EV drive mode on/off When EV drive mode is turned on, the EV drive mode indicator will come on. Pressing the switch when in EV drive mode will return the vehicle to normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Note: Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-information display. The temperature of the hybrid system is high. The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc. The temperature of the hybrid system is low. The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 68°F (20°C) for a long period of time etc. The gasoline engine is warming up. The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.The remaining battery level indicated in the Energy monitor display is low. (Energy monitor) Vehicle speed is high. The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc. The windshield defogger is in use. Use the EV drive mode when it becomes available. Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up. In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode. After the hybrid system has started and the “ READY” indicator has illuminated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to switch to EV drive mode. Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound, the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off and a message will be shown on the multi-information display. The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.The remaining battery level indicated in the Energy monitor display is low. (Energy monitor) Vehicle speed is high. The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc. Drive the vehicle for a while before attempting to turn on the EV drive mode again. Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters to approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, depending on vehicle conditions, there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving conditions.) Fuel economy The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy. Warning: Caution while driving When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle starting off or approaching them. Therefore, take extra care while driving even if the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System is active.