3 ways to start a Toyota Prius (United States)

The ignition of a Prius car is not exactly like that of most older vehicle models. Many Prius models come with a smart key that does not need to be inserted into the ignition. Instead, a power button activates the engine and lets you start driving. If you are having trouble starting your Prius, be sure to follow the proper procedure before seeking repair service.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Start the car

Step 1. Press your foot on the brake

The Toyota Prius is designed not to start until the driver firmly presses the brake with their foot. This is a safety feature intended to ensure that the car does not roll forward or backward when the electric motor is started.

Put your right foot firmly on the brake before trying to start the car

Step 2. Insert the key

If your Prius comes equipped with a smart key that you don't have to insert, you simply need to keep it in the vehicle while the engine is running. If not, insert the key or remote key fob in the appropriate place to the right of the steering wheel.

On most newer Prius models, it is only necessary to have the smart key in the cab of the vehicle.
On older Prius models, you should put the key in the ignition hole with the side of the buttons pointing toward the roof of the car without turning the key.

Step 3. Press the power button

With your foot firmly on the brake, press the power button to the right of the steering wheel. Hold down the button for one second and hear a beep to indicate that the electric motor is running.

If you don't detect a beep, you need to press the button again for a little longer.
The electric motor will start, but the fuel motor will probably not start until needed.

Step 4. Look for the words “Welcome to Prius” on the screen

The Prius instrument panel display will light up as soon as the engine starts. The display will show the words "Welcome to Prius" before shifting to show pertinent driver information.

The word "Ready" will appear on the screen to indicate that the car is ready for you to drive.
Pull the vehicle out of the parking lot and put it in gear to start driving it.

Method 2 of 3: Identify and Fix Problems

Step 1. Make sure to press your foot firmly on the brake

If the Prius doesn't turn on when you press the power button, try applying more pressure to the brake pedal. The brake pedal sensor must register that you are pressing it in order for the computer to allow the electric motor to start.

Make sure the mat has not folded under the pedal.
Check for other obstructions that may prevent you from stepping on the brake pedal.

Step 2. Hold the smart key closer to the power button

If the battery in your smart key starts to run low, you can probably start the car by holding it closer to the power button on the instrument panel. The key sensor is located near the ignition, so this procedure will reduce the distance the signal must travel.

If this method works, you should replace the smart key battery as soon as possible

Step 3. Determine if your vehicle has a smart key deactivation switch

Some Prius models are equipped with this switch. If you have pressed it, the sensor will not detect the smart key and will not allow the vehicle to start.

Check the owner's manual for your specific Prius model to see if it comes equipped with a smart key disable switch

Step 4. Press the disable switch under the steering wheel

Locate the switch on the bottom of the dash under the steering wheel. Hit the switch and then try to start the vehicle again.

If you have pressed the disable switch before, you must press it again to reactivate the smart key sensor.
Try to start the car again once you have pressed the switch.

Method 3 of 3: Starting the car by making a bridge

Step 1. Locate the fuse box under the hood

Unlike most cars, Prius's don't start by connecting jumper cables to the battery. Instead, Toyota installed a positive wire in the fuse box, under the hood.

The fuse box is located on the driver's side near the headlight at the front of the engine compartment.
It is housed under a black plastic cover.

Step 2. Remove the fuse box cover

Release the clips on the side of the fuse box cover and remove it so you can see the fuses and terminals underneath. Set the cover aside, as you will need to put it back once you finish starting the car.

Make sure you don't damage the clips when you release them.
The terminal on the fuse box will be marked with a positive (+) symbol and surrounded by red plastic.

Step 3. Connect the red jumper wire to the positive terminal

There is a positive terminal inside the fuse box that you can connect the red wire from the jumper wires to. Connect the other end of the red wire to the positive terminal of the vehicle that you are going to use to start the car.

Make sure the jumper wire has a strong connection to the positive terminal on the fuse box

Step 4. Connect the negative cable to a bolt on the body of the vehicle

There is no ground terminal inside the Prius fuse box, so you will need to ground the black wire to a bolt that is attached to the car body. Look for a bolt that is not painted to provide a strong connection.

Connect the other end of the black wire to the negative terminal of the other vehicle's battery.
Be careful. Once both cables are connected to the other vehicle's battery, touching both ends of the cables will cause sparks.

Step 5. Start the car

Wait a few minutes for the other running vehicle's engine to charge the Prius battery. Then go back to the car and try to start it one more time. If the Prius won't turn on, you may have to wait for it to charge a bit more.