TOYOTA PRIUS 2010 3.G Owner's Guide

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. Always push the “P” position switch when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating, and are not a malfunction.
● Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind
the rear seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is
open.
● Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the gasoline engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative brake when you press the
brake pedal or release the accelerator pedal.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● You may hear cooling fan sounds coming from the air intake vents behind
the rear seat.
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

32 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
High voltage componentsTake care when handling the hybrid sy stem, as it contains a high volt-
age system (about 650 V at maximum) as well as parts that become
extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the caution
labels attached to the vehicle. Air conditioning compressor
High voltage cables (orange
color)
Power control unit and DC/
DC converter
Caution label
Service plug
Hybrid battery (Traction bat-
tery)
Electric motor (Traction
motor)
ITO11P104

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
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Hybrid battery air vent
There is an air intake vent on the
side of the rear right seatback for
the purpose of cooling the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If the
vent becomes blocked, the
hybrid battery may overheat,
leading to a reduction in hybrid
battery output.
Emergency shut off system
The emergency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current
and stops the fuel pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuel
leakage when a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sen-
sor. If the emergency shut off system activates, your vehicle will not
restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.

34 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Eco Drive MonitorThe multi-information display features several screens to assist with
environmentally friendly driving. Y ou can drive in an environmentally
friendly manner by using these screens effectively.
■ Hybrid system operating condition
The energy monitor displays the
operating condition of the hybrid
system, showing such informa-
tion as the gasoline engine oper-
ating status, and the usage and
regeneration status of electrical
energy. (P. 190)
■ Driving efficiently
The Hybrid System Indicator changes in real-time in accordance with
the driving conditions and operation of the accelerator pedal. Driving
that is friendlier to the environmen t can be achieved by referring to
the display and by driving as follows. ( P. 192)
● When accelerating
Accelerate to the desired speed
while depressing the accelerator
pedal slowly and ensuring that
the indicator bar does not
exceed the Eco area.
Eco area

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
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When the desired speed is reached
Release the accelerator pedal
once. Then, depress the acceler-
ator pedal slowly and drive at a
constant speed, keeping the indi-
cator bar within the Eco area.
When aiming to improve fuel
economy, try to drive within the
Hybrid Eco area. By doing so,
the drive force of the electric
motor (traction motor) will often
be used alone without the need
for fuel consumption, thus allow-
ing you to enjoy driving with
improved fuel economy.
■ Checking fuel consumption
The 5-minute/1-minute interval
fuel consumption display shows
the average fuel consumption
and the regenerated energy
amount in 5-minute or 1-minute
intervals. (P. 194)
Hybrid Eco area

36 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.The fuel consumption record dis-
play shows a history of the aver-
age fuel consumption in
sections, based on the driving
records of trip meters A and B.
Each section represents the
interval between each trip meter
reset. (
P. 197)
A record of the best consumption
is also kept on this screen. The
best consumption record is
updated whenever a higher
record is achieved.

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Hybrid warning message
A message is automatically displaye d when a malfunction occurs in
the hybrid system or an impr oper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on the multi-information display, read
the message and follow the instructions. ( P. 508)
■If a warning light comes on or a wa rning message is displayed, or the
12 volt battery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In that case, try to start the system again. If
the “READY” indicator does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be
started, refuel the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel
level warning light go off (
P. 499). If there is only a small amount of fuel,
the hybrid system may not be able to start. (The minimum amount of fuel to
add to make the low fuel level warning light go out is about 1.6 gal. [6.0 L,
1.3 Imp.gal.], when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value may vary
when the vehicle is on a slope.)
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life. The lifespan of
the hybrid battery (traction battery) can change in accordance with driving
style and driving conditions.

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PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■High voltage precautions
The vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12 volt sys-
tem. DC and AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe burns
and electric shock that may result in death or serious injury.
● Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts,
cables and their connectors.
● The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high
voltage. Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and
always obey the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Your vehicle contains a sealed nickel- metal hydride battery. If disposed of
improperly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe
burns and electrical shock that may result in death or serious injury.
■ Emergency shut off system
● Carefully check to see if there are exposed high voltage parts or cables.
Never touch the parts or cables. (
P. 32)
● Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.
●Never try to open the service plug
access hole located in the luggage
compartment. The service plug is used
only when the vehicle is serviced and is
subject to high voltage.
● Do not subject the service plug to
strong impacts. Also, avoid splashing
large amount of water onto the luggage
compartment, for example while in a
high-pressure car wash.

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1-1. Hybrid system
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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)

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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.