Turning on the Power

  1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
    • The parking brake and brake system indicator (red) comes on for 30 seconds when you pull up the electric parking brake switch.
  1. Check that the transmission is in P, then depress the brake pedal.
    • Although it is possible to start the vehicle in N, it is safer to start it in P.
  1. Without depressing the accelerator pedal, press the POWER button while depressing the brake pedal.
  1. Check the READY indicator.
    • Keep depressing the brake pedal until the READY indicator comes on.
    • The READY indicator comes on when the power system is on and you can start driving.
    • If the outside temperature is extremely low, you cannot drive until conditions are improved. In this case, the READY indicator does not come on and a warning message appears on the driver information interface.
Detail
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when starting the power system.

The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).

When turning on the power system in cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories such as the lights, climate control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce the 12-volt battery drain.

If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold, an engine block heater will improve starting and warming of the engine. Consult a dealer for details.

If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with the engine or exhaust system.

The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from theft.
If an improperly coded device is used, the power system does not activate.

When you set the power mode to ON, you may feel the brake pedal slightly sink down. This is normal.

Bring the keyless remote close to the POWER button if the battery in the keyless remote is weak.

The power system may not activate if the keyless remote is subjected to strong radio waves.

Do not hold the POWER button to start the power system.
If the power system does not start, wait at least 30 seconds before trying again.

The engine may not run when the vehicle is ready for driving.
You can start driving with the READY indicator on.
If you press the POWER button while depressing the brake pedal with the READY indicator on, the power mode is set to VEHICLE OFF and you cannot start driving.

Remote Engine Start

You can remotely turn the power system on using the keyless remote.

WARNING

Carbon monoxide gas is toxic and can rapidly accumulate in closed or even partly enclosed areas.

Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and even kill you.

Never use the remote engine starter with the vehicle parked in a garage or other areas with limited ventilation.

Detail
The remote engine start may violate local laws.
Before using the remote engine start, check your local laws.

If there are buildings and obstacles between your vehicle and the keyless remote, the range will be reduced.
This distance may vary by external electrical interference.

The power system may not be turned on by the remote engine start if:
  • You have disabled a remote engine start setting using the audio/information screen.
  • The power mode is not in VEHICLE OFF.
  • The transmission is in a position other than P.
  • The hood is open, or any door or the trunk is unlocked.
  • You have already used the remote twice to power system on.
  • Another registered keyless remote is in the vehicle.
  • There is any antenna failure.
  • The door is unlocked with the built-in key.
  • The engine oil pressure is low.
  • The engine coolant temperature is extremely high.
  • The security system alarm is not set.
  • The 12-volt battery is low.
  • The shift lever release button is pressed.
  • You press the POWER button.
  • The system is updating.

The power system may be turned off while it is running if:
  • You do not start the vehicle within 10 minutes of turning the power system on with the keyless remote.
  • The power system is turned off by using the keyless remote.
  • The security system alarm is activated.
  • The door is unlocked with the built-in key.
  • The hood is open.
  • The trunk, or any door is unlocked without using the keyless remote or keyless access system.
  • You press the shift lever release button.
  • The engine coolant temperature is extremely high.
  • The engine oil pressure is low.
  • The malfunction indicator lamp comes on if there is a problem with the emissions control systems.
  • The POWER button is pressed while a door has been opened without using the keyless remote or keyless access system.

While the power system is on, the vehicle will automatically precondition inside the vehicle.
When it is warm outside:
  • The climate control system is activated in recirculation mode.
When it is cold outside:

To turn the power system on

Press the button, then press and hold the button.

  • Some exterior lights flash once.

If the power system is turned on successfully, some exterior lights flash six times.

If the power system does not turned on, exterior lights will not flash.

  • Go within the range, and try again.

The power system is on for up to 10 minutes without you starting the vehicle.
To extend the run time for another 10 minutes during the first run, press the button, then press and hold the button.

  • Some exterior lights flash six times if a 10-minute extension request was transmitted successfully.

To turn the power system off

Press and hold the button for one second.

If the power system is turned off successfully, the exterior lights flash once.

When the keyless remote is out of the keyless access system range, the exterior lights will not flash. The power system will not be turned off.

  • Go within the range, and try again.

Starting to Drive

When the power system is turned on using the button on the keyless remote
  1. Depress and hold the brake pedal, then press the POWER button.
When the power system is turned on in any case
  1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, check that the READY indicator is on, then put the transmission into D. Select R when reversing.
  2. With the parking brake applied, release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal.
    • Make sure the parking brake and brake system indicator (red) goes off.
Detail
You can also release the parking brake by pressing the electric parking brake switch while depressing the brake pedal.
When facing downhill, you can start your vehicle more smoothly by manually releasing it with the electric parking brake switch than by releasing it with the accelerator pedal.

When the power system is turned on using the button on the keyless remote
The power system is taken off when the transmission is taken out of P before the POWER button is pressed. Follow the step 1 when starting to drive.

As a hybrid vehicle, the sounds and vibrations from the engine may be absent even though the vehicle is ready for driving. It also makes you fail to recognize that you can start.
Make sure to check if the READY indicator is on before you start to drive.

Hill start assist system

Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged briefly to help prevent the vehicle from rolling on inclines as you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.

Put the transmission into D when facing uphill, or R when facing downhill, then release the brake pedal.

Detail
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from rolling downhill on a very steep or slippery slope, and will not operate on small inclines.

Hill start assist will operate even when VSA® is switched off.

Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking brake.

Stopping the Power System

You can turn the power system off when the vehicle is completely stopped.

  1. Put the transmission into P.
  2. Press the POWER button.
The power mode will automatically turn to VEHICLE OFF about 20 minutes after the following conditions have been met:
  • A door has been opened, such as when leaving the vehicle.
  • The transmission is in P.
  • The driver's seat belt is not fastened.

* Not available on all models

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