cooling TOYOTA PRIUS PHV 2012 Owners Manual

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).

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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents
There are air intake vents on the
side of the rear right seatback
and on the front corner of the left
rear seat cushion for the purpose
of cooling the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If the vents
become blocked, the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) may over-
heat, leading to a reduction in
hybrid battery (traction battery)
output.
Emergency shut off system When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the
emergency shut off syst em blocks off the high voltage current and
stops the fuel pump to minimize t he risk of electrocution and fuel
leakage. If the emergency shut off sy stem activates, your vehicle will
not restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.

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1
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Plug-in hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the following
points:
■ Using EV mode and HV mode effectively
Primarily using EV mode when driving in cities and using HV
mode when driving on highways (or freeways) can help con-
serve fuel and electricity. ( P. 3 7 )
■ Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, a torque corresponding to the
accelerator pedal depression amount can be generated more
smoothly than it is in normal conditions. In addition, the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling) will be mini-
mized, improving fuel a nd electricity economy. ( P. 247)
■ Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 268)
■ When braking the vehicle
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and in good time. A
greater amount of electrical energy can be retained when slow-
ing down.
■ Delays
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at
traffic lights, will lead to high fuel and electricity consumption.
Check traffic reports before l eaving and avoid delays as much
as possible. When encountering a delay, gently release the
brake pedal to allow the vehicle to move forward slightly while
avoiding overuse of the accelerator pedal. Doing so can help
control excessive electric ity and fuel consumption.

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2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
Selecting a driving mode
The following modes can be selected to suit driving conditions:
Eco drive mode
Suitable for improving the fuel economy, because the torque cor-
responding to the accelerator pedal depression amount can be
generated more smoothly than it is in normal conditions and the
operation of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling) will be
minimized.
When the “ECO MODE” switch is pressed, the “ECO MODE” indicator
comes on.
Power mode
Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable,
such as when driving in mountainous regions or when overtak-
ing.
When the power mode switch is pressed, the power mode indicator
comes on.

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2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■
Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency. ( P. 247) To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ For the shift positions
● When the “POWER” switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.
● When the “POWER” switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not oper-
ating), the shift position can only be changed to N. The shift position will
be changed to N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and held in that
position.
However, immediately after turning the “POWER” switch to ON mode,
the shift position may not change to N.
● When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be changed
from P to D, N or R.
● When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cannot be
changed from P to another position even if the shift lever is operated.
Wait until the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing to a solid light,
and then operate the shift lever again.
● The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.
In addition, if an attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the
shift lever in any of the following situations, the buzzer will sound and the
shifting operation will be disabled or the shift position will automatically
change to N. When this happens, select an appropriate shift position.
● Situations where the shifting operation will be disabled:
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another
position by moving the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P or N to B by moving the shift lever.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another position by moving the shift lever while the charging cable is connected
to the vehicle.

358
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Air conditioning system
Airflow and outlets are automatically adjusted according to the tem-
perature setting.
Temperature
control buttonTemperature
setting displayAir outlet
display
Fan speed
display Windshield
defogger button
Off
Automatic
mode Outside air or
recirculated
air mode
Changes the
air outlets used
Fan speed
control buttonOutside temperature display ( P. 394)
Micro dust and
pollen filter
Cooling and dehumidification
function ON/OFF switch

359
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
3
Interior features
Using the automatic mode
Press .
The air conditioning system will begin to operate. Air outlets and fan
speed are automatically adjusted according to the temperature set-
ting.
Press “▲” to increase the temperature and “ ▼” to decrease
the temperature on the .
Adjusting the settings
■ Changing the cooling and dehumidification function
Press .
The cooling and dehumidification function switches between on and off
each time the button is pressed.
■Adjusting the temperature setting
Press “ ▲” to increases the temperature and “ ▼” to decreases the
temperature on the .
■ Adjusting the fan speed
Press  (increase) or  (decrease) on .
The fan speed is shown on the display. (7 levels)
Press to turn the fan off.
STEP 1
STEP 2

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3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
3
Interior features
■If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
In the Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to
prioritize fuel efficiency:
● Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/
cooling capacity
● Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following operations:
● Adjust the fan speed
● Turn off Eco drive mode ( P. 247)
● Customize the air conditioning control of Eco drive mode. ( P. 639)
■ When outside air temperature is below 32 °F (0 °C)
The cooling and dehumidification function may not operate even when
is pressed.
■ Air conditioning odors
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter
into and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause
odor to be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic
mode.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. enable/disable automatic operation of the air conditioning
compressor when the “AUTO” switch ON) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 639)

441
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■
When working on the engine compartment
● Make sure that the indicator on the “POWER” switch and the “READY”
indicator are both off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust
manifold, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids
may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes
are flammable.
■ When working near the electric c ooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the “POWER” switch is off.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. ( P. 466)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
4
Maintenance and care
Engine compar tment
■12-volt battery
 P. 471
Engine coolant reservoir
( P. 464)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 460)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 461)
Power control unit coolant
reservoir ( P. 464)Brake fluid reservoir
( P. 467)
Fuse box ( P. 495)
Radiator ( P. 466)
Condenser ( P. 466)
Electric cooling fans
Washer fluid tank ( P. 469)