engine TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN 2012 Owners Manual

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3. Basic operation
PLUG-IN QG_U (OM47747U)
How to operate the power (ignition) switch
■Starting the hybrid system
Check that the charging cable is disconnected.
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Check that the “POWER” switch indicator turns green. If the indica-
tor does not turn green, the hybrid system cannot be started.
When the shift position is N, the hybrid system cannot start. Shift the
shift position to P when starting the hybrid system.
Press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system can be started
from any “POWER” switch mode.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the hybrid system is
completely started.
Check that the “READY” indicator is on.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light
and the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if the
engine is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops automatically
in accordance with the state of the vehicle.)
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

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3. Basic operation
PLUG-IN QG_U (OM47747U)
■About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pedal will apply
engine braking.
●When the vehicle is driven at high speeds, compared to ordinary gaso-
line-fueled vehicles, the engine braking deceleration is felt less than that
of other vehicles.
●The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is selected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel efficiency will
become low. Usually, shift the shift position to D.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid leaving the N
position selected for an extended period of time.

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PLUG-IN QG_U (OM47747U)
4. Things you must know
■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.
■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 is being displayed, the gasoline
engine may operate automatically in the following circumstances (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.

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4. Things you must know
PLUG-IN QG_U (OM47747U)
■When continually using EV mode only
After driving for approximately 124 miles (200 km) with the gasoline engine
off, the gasoline engine may start for a short amount of time in order to pro-
tect the system.
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop
automatically in the following conditions*:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or
low
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the heater is switched on
*:Depending on the circumstances, the gasoline engine may also not stop
automatically in situations other than those above.
CAUTION
■While driving
Because there is no engine noise when the vehicle is being driven using the
electric motor, pedestrians in the vicinity may not notice the vehicle. Even
though the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle proximity notification system,
drive with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not notice the vehicle if
the surrounding area is noisy.

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PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Ve h i c l e d a ta r e c o r d i n g s
Yo u r To y o t a i s e q u i p p e d w i t h s e v e r a l s o p h i s t i c a t e d c o m p u t e r s t h a t w i l l r e c o r d
certain data, such as:
•Engine speed
•Electric motor speed (traction motor speed)
• Accelerator status
•Brake status
•Vehicle speed
•Shift position
•Hybrid battery (traction battery) status
The recorded data varies according to the vehicle grade level and options
with which it is equipped. Furthermore, these computers do not record con-
versations, sounds or pictures.
●Data usage
To y o t a m a y u s e t h e d a t a r e c o r d e d i n t h e s e c o m p u t e r s t o d i a g n o s e m a l f u n c -
tions, conduct research and development, and improve quality.
To y o t a w i l l n o t d i s c l o s e t h e r e c o r d e d d a t a t o a t h i r d p a r t y e x c e p t :
• With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if
the vehicle is leased
•In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a govern-
ment agency
•For use by Toyota in a lawsuit
•For research purposes where the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or
vehicle owner
●Usage of data collected through Safety Connect (U.S. mainland only)
If your Toyota has Safety Connect and if you have subscribed to those ser-
vices, please refer to the Safety Connect Telematics Subscription Service
Agreement for information on data collected and its usage.

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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 vehicle can also be driven as an
electric vehicle by driving 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 accordance 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)

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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, such as when accelerating sud-
denly), but if the amount 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.

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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 efficiency. A l s o , w h e n n e c e s s a r y, t h e
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 and the electric motor (traction
motor) is used to accelerate.
■When braking (regenerative braking)
The electric motor (traction motor) charges the hybrid battery
(traction battery).
The EV driving range can be extended by actively using this
regenerative braking to store electricity in the hybrid battery
(traction battery).
Moreover, as fuel consumption is also reduced when in HV
mode, the regenerative braking system can be used effectively.

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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Plug-in hybrid system control
The plug-in hybrid system features both EV mode and HV mode,
which are switched automatically. When a sufficient amount of elec-
tricity is remaining in the hybrid battery (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. 3 7 )
■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.

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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 ( ) will illuminate when your vehicle
is in EV mode, and will turn off if HV mode is switched to.