TOYOTA PRIUS PHV 2012 Owner's Guide

Before driving1
31
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
1-2. ChargingCharging equipment........... 73
Power sources that can be used ................................. 77
How to charge .................... 80
When normal charging cannot be carried out ....... 98
Inspecting the charging cable .............................. 103
1-3. Key information Keys ................................. 105
1-4. Opening, closing and
locking
the

doors
Smart key system (with entry function) ....... 108
Smart key system (without entry
function) ......................... 126
Wireless remote control ... 132
Side doors ........................ 134
Back door ......................... 140 1-5. Adjustable components
(seats,

mirrors, steering
wheel)
Front seats ....................... 146
Rear seats........................ 149
Head restraints................. 152
Seat belts ......................... 156
Steering wheel ................. 165
Inside rear view mirror ..... 166
Outside rear view mirrors ............................ 169
1-6. Opening and closing
the
win

dows
Power windows ................ 171
1-7. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ................................. 174
1-8. Theft deterrent system Immobilizer system .......... 179
Theft prevention labels (for the U.S.A.) ............... 181
1-9. Safety information Correct driving posture..... 182
SRS airbags ..................... 184
Front passenger occupant classification system ...... 198
Child restraint systems..... 204
Installing child restraints... 209

32
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system features
The plug-in hybrid system is a system that has the features of both
electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.
●Electricity received by charging from an external power
source can be used, and the v ehicle can also be driven as an
electric vehicle by driv ing over certain distances
* using only
the electric motor (traction motor).
● If the amount of electricity remaining in the hybrid battery
(traction battery) becomes low, the vehicle is automatically
controlled in such a way that it can be driven as a hybrid vehi-
cle through the joint use of the gasoline engine.
*: The driving range will vary in accord ance with conditions such as vehi-
cle speed, the amount of charge remaining in the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) and the usage of the air conditioning system. The gasoline
engine may also be used simultaneously in accordance with driving
conditions.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (traction motor)

33
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■
When in EV mode
Driving using only the electric motor (traction motor) is possible
(excluding certain situations, su ch as when accelerating sud-
denly), but if the amou nt of charge remaining in the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) becomes low, EV mode will be canceled.
In order to prolong EV mode driving, observe the following:
● Check the EV driving range using the energy monitor or
Hybrid System Indicator.
● Avoid sudden acceleration and sudden deceleration, and be
sure to drive smoothly.
If you repeatedly accelerate, the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charge will deplete quickly. Also, the gasoline engine will
start, depending on acceleration or the vehicle speed.
● Restrain your speed as much as possible. The EV driving
range will reduce considerably at high speeds.

34 1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■When in HV mode
The vehicle can be used in the same way as a standard hybrid
vehicle.
In HV mode, controls are primarily carried out as follows in
accordance with the driving conditions.
●The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped.
● During start off, the electric motor (traction motor) drives the
vehicle.
● During normal driving, the gasoline engine and electric motor
(traction motor) are controlled effectively, and the vehicle is
driven with optimum fuel efficienc y. Also, when necessary, the
electric motor (traction motor) operates as an electrical gener-
ator to charge the hybrid battery (traction battery).
● When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, drive force
from both the gasoline engine an d the electric motor (traction
motor) is used to accelerate.
■ When braking (regenerative braking)
The electric motor (traction mo tor) charges the hybrid battery
(traction battery).
The EV driving range can be extended by actively using this
regenerative braking to store el ectricity in the hybrid battery
(traction battery).
Moreover, as fuel consumption is also reduced when in HV
mode, the regenerative braking sy stem can be used effectively.

35
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Plug-in hybrid system control
The plug-in hybrid system feat ures both EV mode and HV mode,
which are switched automatically. When a sufficient amount of elec-
tricity is remaining in the hybrid ba ttery (traction battery) the vehicle
can be driven as an electric vehicle in EV mode; and when only a lit-
tle electricity is remaining in the hybrid battery (traction battery), HV
mode is automatically selected and the vehicle can be used in the
same manner as a hybrid vehicle.
The modes can also be switched using the EV/HV mode selection
switch. ( P. 37)
■ EV mode
Using the electricity stored in the
hybrid battery (traction battery),
the vehicle can be driven using
only the electric motor (traction
motor).
The gasoline engine may also be
used temporarily at the same
time in accordance with the
speed and load of the vehicle,
and with heater usage.

36 1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■HV mode
If only a little electricity is remain-
ing in the hybrid battery (traction
battery) and the vehicle cannot
be driven using the electric
motor (traction motor) only, the
electric motor (traction motor)
and the gasoline engine will be
used together.
The Hybrid System Indicator can
be used to check which mode
the plug-in hybrid system is cur-
rently being driven in.
The EV drive mode indicator ( ) w ill illuminate when your vehicle
is in EV mode, and will turn of f if HV mode is switched to.

37
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
EV/HV mode selection switch
You can manually switch between EV mode and HV mode when you
want to conserve battery power in preparation for EV driving in city
areas.
Switching to HV mode when driving on a highway or when driving
uphill is recommended in order to conserve battery power.
* (  P. 6 7 )
*: The EV driving range may reduce even after switching to HV mode.
Press the switch
EV mode and HV mode will be
switched between with each
press.
If there is not enough charge
remaining in the hybrid battery
(traction battery) to allow EV driv-
ing, EV mode will not be select-
able.

38 1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Charging (P. 80)
In order to drive in EV mode,
charge the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) from an external
power source before using your
vehicle.
If there is not enough charge
remaining in the hybrid battery
(traction battery), the EV driving
range will become shorter.
Vehicle proximity notification system
When driving with the gasoline engine stopped, a sound, which
changes in accordance with the dr iving speed, will be played in order
to warn people nearby of the vehicle’s approach. The sound will stop
when the vehicle speed exceeds a pproximately 15 mph (25 km/h).

39
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■
Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and
deceleration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
● The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift position in D
or B.
● The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift position in D or
B.
■ EV driving range
● The EV driving range is displayed on the energy monitor and the Hybrid
System Indicator. ( P. 58, 268)
● The EV driving range changes in accordance with the charge status of
the hybrid battery (traction battery), the speed of the vehicle, etc.
■ After EV mode has switched to HV mode due to low hybrid battery
(traction battery) charge
If the hybrid battery (traction battery) is regenerated by driving continuously
down a long slope, the EV driving range will be displayed on the multi-i\
nfor-
mation display and EV mode will be automatically switched to.
If EV mode is not switched to even though EV driving range is being dis-
played, EV mode can be switched to by pressing the EV/HV mode selection
switch.

40 1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Refilling fuel
Plug-in hybrid vehicles can be driven using electricity charged from an exter-
nal power source, however the gasoline engine that is provided on board as
an auxiliary power source and as a power source for driving in HV mode
needs to be filled with fuel. Check the fuel amount and refill immediately
when the fuel level becomes low. ( P. 174)
■ Gasoline engine operation in EV mode
Even if there is a sufficient amount of electricity remaining in the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) and EV driving range ( P. 58, 268) is being displayed,
the gasoline engine may operate automatically in the following circum-
stances (EV driving will be returned to automatically after EV driving
becomes possible again):
● When the heater etc. is in use.
● When 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.
● When 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.
● When power is needed temporarily, for example when accelerating sud-
denly.
● When vehicle speed is more than approximately 62 mph (100 km/h).
● When the accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill
etc.
● When the outside temperature is low (less than 14 °F [-10 °C])
The gasoline engine may also operate in circumstances other than those
listed above, depending on conditions.