STARTING AND DRIVING -> How to start the hybrid system for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

How to start the hybrid  
system— (a) Before starting  
the hybrid system  
Before starting the hybrid  
system  
(b) Turning on the hybrid  
system  
1. Check the area around the vehicle be-  
fore entering it.  
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle,  
head restraint height and steering  
wheel angle.  
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view  
mirrors.  
4. Lock all doors.  
5. Fasten seat belts.  
When you get in the vehicle, check  
whether the “READY” light is on or  
not.  
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.  
Before starting the hybrid system, be sure  
to follow the instructions in “(a) Before  
starting the hybrid system”.  
CAUTION  
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-  
sories.  
Your vehicle does not produce any  
noise or vibration when the vehicle is  
ready to start with the “READY” light  
on. Be careful not to start the vehicle  
abruptly by depressing the accelera-  
tor pedal inadvertently.  
Normal starting procedure  
3. Put the running mode selector lever in  
”P”.  
Turn and hold the ignition switch to  
“START” with the brake pedal depressed.  
The “READY” light starts blinking. After a  
few seconds, the blinking “READY” light  
remains on and a beep sounds. (If the  
ambient temperature is low, such as dur-  
ing winter driving conditions, it may take  
time until the “READY” light is on.) Then  
release your hand from the ignition switch.  
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it  
to the floor until driving off.  
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