engine TOYOTA PRIUS 2010 3.G User Guide

161
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
NOTICE
■
If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 527)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
system, transmission, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

162
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic
key on your person starts the hybr id system or changes “POWER”
switch modes.
■ Starting the hybrid system
Check that the parking brake is set.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “POWER” switch indicator turns green.
Press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system can be
started from any mode.
After a few seconds, the
“READY” indicator comes on
with a beep sound.
The vehicle can move when
the “READY” indicator is on,
even if the engine is stopped.
STEP1
STEP2
ITO21P112
STEP3

167
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Note for the entry function
 P. 50, 59
■ Leak detection pump
Several hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear a sound coming
from underneath the luggage compartment for several minutes. 
This is normal operation and does not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
■ When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press
the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circum-
stances. 
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehi-
cle, push and hold the “POWER” switch for more than 3 seconds. 
However, do not touch the "POWER" switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will \
be lost.
This will make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over
and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■ To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Do not leave the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long
periods if the hybrid system is not operating.
■ When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the 12
volt battery and electronic key battery checked immediately.

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.

172 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Shift position uses
*: Shown only while in “D” position.
■Selecting a driving mode
The following patterns can be selected to suit current driving and
operating conditions.
l
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving
BEngine braking position*

174 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Changing shift ranges to “P” positionPush the “P” position switch with
the brake pedal pressed down.
The “P” position icon is displayed
on the instrument cluster, and the
indicator on the “P” position
switch comes on.
You can only shift to other posi-
tions from “P” when the brake
pedal is depressed.
When parking, check that the “P”
position icon is displayed on the
instrument cluster, and release
the brake pedal gently after
applying the parking brake.
ITO21P107
■Using engine brake
To use the engine braking, shift the shift lever to “B” position.
● During high speed driving, you may feel that deceleration by engine brak-
ing is less than that of a typical vehicle.
● Do not continue normal driving with the transmission in “B” for a long
time.
This may cause decreased fuel economy. To prevent this, use “D” for
normal driving.

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
2
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