stop start TOYOTA PRIUS 2010 3.G Owners Manual

30 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, the followings
are examples of conditions under which the engine may not stop automati-
cally:
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is being charged.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) temperature is low or high.
● The temperature setting of the air conditioning system is high.
■ Charging the battery
● As the gasoline engine or regenerative brake charges the hybrid battery
(traction battery), the battery does not need to be charged from an
outside source. However, if the vehicle is left parked for a long time the
hybrid battery will slowly discharge. For this reason, be sure to drive \
the
vehicle at least once every several months for at least 30 minutes or 10
miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and you are
unable to jump-start the vehicle with the 12 volt battery, contact your
Toyota dealer.
● If the shift lever is in “N”, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. When driving in heavy traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift
lever in “D” or “B” to avoid discharging the battery.
■ After the 12 volt battery has disch arged or has been changed or
removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Toyota
dealer.

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
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.

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
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.

43
1
1-2. Key information
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Smart key system (with entr y function)
The following operations can be performed simply by carrying the
electronic key on your person, for example in your pocket.
(The driver should always carry the electronic key.)
Locks and unlocks the doors ( P. 4 4 )
Locks and unlocks the doors ( P. 4 5 )
Starts and stops the hybrid system ( P. 162)

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1-2. Key information
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Smart key system (without entr y function)
Starting and stopping the hybrid system can be performed simply by
carrying the electronic key on your person, for example in your
pocket.
(The driver should always carry the electronic key.)

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PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing.
■ Starting the hybrid system ( P. 164)
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to “D”. 
(  P. 173)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 181)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in “D”, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, push
the “P” position switch. (
P. 176)
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in “D”, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 181)
Push the “P” position switch. ( P. 176)
When parking on hill, if necessary, block the wheels.
Turn the “POWER” switch OFF and stop the hybrid system.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key
on your person.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Starting on a steep incline
Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to “D”.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■Driving in the rain
● Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observe:
● For the first 200 miles (300 km): 
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 600 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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.

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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

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2-1. Driving procedures
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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.