engine TOYOTA PRIUS PHV 2012 User Guide

42 1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift
position to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating, and are not a malfunction.
● The brake system operation sound heard from the front of the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● 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 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 braking when you press the
brake pedal or release the accelerator pedal.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent. ( P. 45)
● The operation sound of the air conditioning system (air conditioning com-
pressor, blower motor).

51
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
NOTICE
■
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents
● Do not put foreign objects near the air vents. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat, leading to a reduction in hybrid battery (traction
battery) output or a malfunction.
● Clean the air vents regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
● Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vents as this may
cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).
● Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the
vehicle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
may be damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
● If the rear seat belt becomes separated from the guide ( P. 150), it could
obstruct the hybrid battery (traction battery) air vent. Set the rear seat belt
into the guide to use.
■ Notice about fuel
For plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel may remain in the tank for a long time and
undergo changes in quality depending on the how the vehicle is used.
Refuel at least 5.3 gal.(20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.) of fuel every 6 months (refuel a
total of at least 5.3 gal. [20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.] over a 6-month period), as this
may affect components of the fuel system or the gasoline engine.

53
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
ConditionDisplay
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)
When the vehicle is powered by
the gasoline engine

56 1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
ConditionDisplay
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)
When the vehicle is powered by
the gasoline engine

58 1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Multi-information displayPress the “DISP” button to dis-
play the energy monitor.
■ Names and meaning of each icons
Gasoline engine
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
Electric motor (traction motor)
EV driving range
Displays the approximate driving
range using only the electric
motor (traction motor) when in EV
mode or when enough power is
remaining for EV mode. The dis-
play turns off if the charge level of
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) reduces and HV mode is
selected.
(The display will not turn off if HV
mode is selected using the EV/
HV mode selection switch.)

59
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
ConditionDisplay
When the vehicle is powered by
the electric motor (traction
motor) The illustration shows the display when
in EV mode.
When the vehicle is powered by
both the gasoline engine and the
electric motor (traction motor)
When the vehicle is powered by
the gasoline engine
When charging the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) from an
external power source (while a
charging cable is connected)
When the vehicle is charging the
hybrid battery (traction battery)

68 1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Highway driving
Control your speed and keep at a constant speed. Also, before
stopping at a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to release
the accelerator and gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of
electrical energy can be reta ined when slowing down.
Electricity consumptio n will increase substantially when driving
at high speeds in EV mode. If ther e will be a long distance to the
next external charging point afte r leaving a freeway, driving in
HV mode while on the freeway and in EV mode after leaving the
freeway is recommended.
■ Air conditioning on/off
●Switch the air conditioning ( ) to off when it is not
needed. Doing so can help cont rol excessive electricity and
fuel consumption.
In summer: In high temperatures, use the recirculated air
mode. Doing so will help to reduce the burden on the air con-
ditioner and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasoli ne engine will not automatically
cut out until the gasoline engine and the interior of the vehicle
are warm, it will consume fuel. Also, fuel consumption can be
improved by avoiding overuse of the heater.
● For efficiency, use the Remo te Air Conditioning System
before departing while the c harging cable is connected.

69
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■
Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently. If there
is improper tire inflation pressure in the tires, the driving range
when in EV mode will become shorter, and fuel consumption
when in HV mode will increase.
Also, as snow tires can cause lar ge amounts of friction, their use
on dry roads can lead to increas ed fuel and electricity consump-
tion.
■ Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage can require excessive energy. Avoid
leaving unnecessary lu ggage in the vehicle.
Also, equipping a large roof rack can cause excessive energy
consumption in the same way as carrying heavy luggage.
■ Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically,
warming up is not necessary.

178 1-7. Refueling
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
NOTICE
■Refueling
● Finish refueling within 30 minutes. If more than 30 minutes passes, the
internal valve closes. In this condition, fuel may spill out if you continue to
refuel the vehicle. About 5 minutes after the valve is closed, a message
“CLOSE FUEL LID” will appear on the multi-information display. To refuel
the vehicle again, tighten fuel tank cap and close the fuel filler door, and
then press the fuel filler door opener switch again.
● Do not spill fuel during refueling.
Doing so may damage the vehicle, such as causing the emission control
system to operate abnormally or damaging fuel system components or the
vehicle’s painted surface.
■ Notice about fuel
For plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel may remain in the tank for a long time and
undergo changes in quality depending on the how the vehicle is used.
Refuel at least 5.3 gal.(20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.) of fuel every 6 months (refuel a
total of at least 5.3 gal. [20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.] over a 6-month period), as this
may affect components of the fuel system or the gasoline engine.

227
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P. 613)
■ For efficient use
● Shift the shift position to D when driving.
In the N position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be
generated. The hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, requiring
unnecessary engine power to charge.
● Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and
deceleration will make more effective use of the electric motor (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.
● Shift the shift position to P when parking.
In the N position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not charge.
Leaving the shift position in the N position for an extended period of time
may discharge the hybrid battery (traction battery). The vehicle cannot
run if the hybrid battery (traction battery) is discharged.