Traction TOYOTA PRIUS 2010 3.G User Guide

39
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■
Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.
● Pull your vehicle off the road, push the “P” position switch, apply the park-
ing brake and turn the hybrid system off.
● Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
● If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric
shock may occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
● If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch it as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte
from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with your
skin or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or if pos-
sible, boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
● If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even
a small amount of water may be dangerous.
● If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the front wheels raised. If the
wheels with the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground when
towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may cause an
electricity leakage leading to a fire. (
P. 487)

40 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery air vent
● Do not put foreign objects over the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat and be damaged.
● Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
● Do not wet the air vent. It may cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid
battery (traction battery).
● Do not load a large amount of water such as an aquarium into the vehicle.
If water spills over the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may be
damaged.

152 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P. 558)
■ For efficient use
● Put the shift lever into “D” when driving. 
In the “N” position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be
generated. 
The hybrid battery (traction battery) will be discharged requiring unnec-
essary engine power to recharge.
● Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and
deceleration will make more effective use of the traction motor without
having to use gasoline engine power.
● Avoid repeated acceleration. 
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving
with the accelerator pedal slightly released.
● Push the “P” position switch when parking.
In the “N” position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge. 
Leaving the shift lever in the “N” position for an extended period of the
time may discharge the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot run if the
hybrid battery is discharged.

154 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid sys-
tem operating. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator
pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● The driver should pay attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is pow-
ered only by the electric motor (traction motor). Because there is no hybrid
system sounds, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or st op the vehicle near flammable materials. 
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. this may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.

168
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
EV-Drive Mode
: If equipped
In EV-Drive Mode the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
On/off
When EV-Drive Mode is turned
on, the EV-Drive Mode indica-
tor will come on. Pressing the
switch when in EV-Drive Mode
will return to normal driving
(using the gasoline engine and
electric motor [traction motor]).
ITO21P118

169
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Situations in which EV-Dri ve Mode cannot be turned on
The followings are examples of situations under which the EV-Drive Mode
may not be turned on. 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 32 F (0 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. ( P. 188)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
■ 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 and the EV-Drive Mode indicator will flash and go off.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low. 
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is
low. ( P. 188)
● Vehicle speed becomes high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.

170 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Possible driving distance when driving in EV-Drive Mode
Possible driving distance when driving in EV-Drive Mode is up to about 1/2
mile (1 km) if driven at a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or less. (Possible
driving distance depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and
driving conditions.)
■ Fuel economy
Your Toyota 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.
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 bicy-
cles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle
starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into “R”, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
lever is in “R”.
■ When in heavy traffic
If the shift lever is in “N”, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid putting the shift
lever in “N” for an extended period of time.
■ Eco Driving Mode
When the accelerator pedal is depressed in Eco Driving Mode, it may take
more time to accelerate than usual. This is normal operation.
■ If the system malfunctions
The following situations indicate a problem with the system. 
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
● The indicator on the “P” position switch flashes. However, this does not
indicate a malfunction unless a warning message appears in the multi-
information display.
● All frames of the shift position indicators in the instrument cluster flash.
● The parking system error message appears on the multi-information dis-
play.
● The instrument cluster does not come on when the “POWER” switch is in
ON mode.

190 2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Energy monitorThe energy monitor displays the operating condition of the hybrid
system, showing such information as the gasoline engine operating
status, and the usage and regeneration status of electrical energy.
Gasoline engine
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
Electric motor (traction motor)
The energy flow is indicated using arrows which vary in color and
direction depending on the driving conditions (when accelerating/
decelerating, etc.).
Multi-information display*
When the vehicle is powered
by the electric motor (traction
motor)
When the vehicle is powered
by both the gasoline engine
and the electric motor (traction
motor)

191
2-2. Instrument cluster
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When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
*: The images are examples only, and may vary slightly from actual condi-
tions.
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery) status
The amount of charge remain-
ing in the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is shown by 8 bars.Low
Full
Multi-information display*
When the vehicle is powered
by the gasoline engine
When the vehicle is charging
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
When there is no energy flow