Can't get inspection mode

[sffish]

I'm having a hard time getting the car into Inspection Mode. I'm getting ready to replace the ICE coolant and want to be able to force the engine to run so I can get the new coolant up to temp and hopefully remove all the air bubbles. The car is a 2005 Prius. Here's what I do:

1) With the car off, hit the power button twice to get the car into IG-ON.
2) Fully step on and let off the accelerator twice.
3) Move the tranmission selector to N and hold it there while fully stepping on and off the accelerator twice. Then release the transmission selector. Note that my car will not shift into N while in IG-ON mode.
4) Fully step on and let off the accelerator twice.

I've tried different things as well. Like pushing the P button before step 2 and step 4. Can someone please give me a very slow and detailed procedure for getting into Inspection Mode or tell me what I'm doing wrong in my procedure. Thanks.

[Patrick Wong]

Note that when the car is IG-ON, you should be able to shift into N without continuously holding the gear selector lever to the left. The first task is to figure out why you can't do that. Maybe there's something wrong with the gear selector switch.

To invoke inspection mode, make the car IG-ON where the warning lights appear in the instrument panel. The car will already be in P; fully depress the accelerator pedal twice. Then shift to N and fully depress the accelerator pedal twice.

Then shift to P and fully depress the accelerator pedal twice. Then depress the brake pedal and press the POWER button again to make the car READY.

Note that the hybrid vehicle icon will appear in the MFD and the red triangle master warning light will come on. Do not drive the car in this condition as you could damage the transaxle.

[sffish]

Patrick, thanks for the advice. That fixed it. I was not putting my foot on the brake when trying to shift into neutral so the Prius wasn't entering neutral. Thanks for the help, it is appreciated. Hopefully I'll be able to fully bleed all the air out of the ICE when I change the coolant this weekend.

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

Note that when the car is IG-ON, you should be able to shift into N without continuously holding the gear selector lever to the left. The first task is to figure out why you can't do that. Maybe there's something wrong with the gear selector switch.