maintenance TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN 2012 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
1Before driving
Information on the plug-in hybrid system and adjusting
and operating features such as door locks, mirrors, and
steering column
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information
3Interior
features
Air conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in-
terior features for a comfortable driving experience
4Maintenance
and care
Cleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information
5When trouble
arises
What to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident
6Ve h i c l e
specificationsDetailed vehicle information
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual

43
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Ve h i c l e p r o x i m i t y n o t i f i c a t i o n s y st e m
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity notification system may be diffi-
cult for surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification system is installed on the front of
the vehicle, it may be more difficult to hear from the rear of the vehicle com-
pared to the front.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

179
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
1-8. Theft deterrent system
Immobilizer system
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type immobilizer system.
■Conditions affecting operation
Depending on the surrounding environment and conditions, the immobilizer
system may not operate properly. This may prevent the hybrid system from
starting. (→P. 1 1 9 )
The vehicle’s keys have built-in transponder chips that prevent the
hybrid system from starting if a key has not been previously regis-
tered in the vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
The indicator light flashes after
the “POWER” switch has been
turned off to indicate that the
system is operating.
The indicator light stops flash-
ing after the “POWER” switch
has been turned to ACCES-
SORY or ON mode to indicate
that the system has been can-
celed.

366
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Window defogger feature
●Recirculated air mode may automatically switch to outside air mode in
situations where the windows need to be defogged.
●When the outside air temperature is low, it may take a while for the con-
densation to clear from the windshield.
●When is turned ON, the gasoline engine may operate depending
on driving conditions. After that, even if is turned OFF, the fan
does not stop and a state in which it is easy for the gasoline engine to
operate continues. After defogging the windows, press as neces-
sary to turn off the fan.
■When is selected for the air outlets used
For your driving comfort, air flowing to the feet may be warmer than air flow-
ing to the upper body depending on the temperature setting.
■Micro dust and pollen filter
●In order to prevent the windows from fogging up when the outside air is
cold, the following may occur.
•Outside air mode does not switch to recirculated air mode.
•The air conditioning system operates automatically.
•The operation cancels after 1 minute.
●In rainy weather, the windows may fog up. Press .
●Condensation may appear on the windows if this mode is used in abnor-
mally high levels of humidity.
●Pollen will be collected by the filter even when micro dust and pollen filter
mode is OFF.
■Maintenance of the air conditioning filter
The air conditioning filter must be cleaned or changed regularly to maintain
air conditioning efficiency according to the maintenance schedule. In dusty
areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, early replacement may be required.
(For scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Owner’s Manual Sup-
plement/ Scheduled Maintenance Guide”.)
When inspecting, cleaning and replacing the air conditioning filter, contact
your Toyota dealer.

424
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition:
●Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any
dirt and dust.
●Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
●For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
●Wipe away any water.
●Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

425
4-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
4
Maintenance and care
■Before car washes
Check that the fuel filler door and charging port lid on your vehicle are closed
properly.
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors and remove the antenna before washing the vehicle.
Start was hing from the front of the vehicle. Mak e sure to re-install the
antenna and extend the mirrors before driving.
●Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface
and harm your vehicle’s paint.
●Roof antenna, rear spoiler may not be washable in some automatic car
washes. There may also be an increased risk of damage to vehicle.
■High pressure car washes (→P. 4 2 7 )
Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of
the windows.

426
4-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■When using a car wash
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effec-
tive range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. Place the key in a posi-
tion 6 ft. (2 m) or more separate from the vehicle while the vehicle is being
washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
■Aluminum wheels
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use
hard brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical
cleaners.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
●Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
●Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
CAUTION
■When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
■While charging
Do not wash the vehicle.
Doing so may cause the electrical components to malfunction or catch fire
and also you may get an electric shock that may result in death or serious
injury.
■Precautions regarding the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.

427
4-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
4
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■To p r e v e n t pa i n t d e t e r i o r a t i o n a n d corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
●Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
•After driving near the sea coast
•After driving on salted roads
•If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
•If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the
paint surface
•After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
•If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
•If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
●If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
●To p r e v e n t t h e w h e e l s f r o m c o r r o d i n g , r e m o v e a n y d i r t a n d s t o r e i n a p l a c e
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
●Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■When using a high pressure car washer
Do not use the washer on the area around the charging port lid. Water could
get into the charging inlet and could damage the vehicle.
■Antenna installation and removal precautions
●Before driving, ensure that the antenna is installed.
●When the antenna is removed, such as before entering an automatic car
wash, make sure to store it in a suitable place so as not to lose it. Also,
before driving, make sure to reinstall the antenna in its original position.

428
4-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior
The following procedures will help protect your vehicle’s interior and
keep it in top condition:
■Protecting the vehicle interior
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty sur-
faces with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
■Cleaning the leather areas
●Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
●Wipe off any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened
with diluted detergent.
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool deter-
gent.
●Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly
wipe off all remaining traces of detergent.
●Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remain-
ing moisture. Allow the leather to dry in a shaded and venti-
lated area.
■Cleaning the synthetic leather areas
●Remove loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner.
●Apply a mild soap solution to the synthetic leather using a
sponge or soft cloth.
●Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes. Remove the
dirt and wipe off the solution with a clean, damp cloth.

429
4-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
4
Maintenance and care
■Caring for leather areas
To y o t a r e c o m m e n d s c l e a n i n g t h e i n t e r i o r o f t h e v e h i c l e a t l e a s t t w i c e a y e a r
to maintain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
■Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a
sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not use
water. Wipe dirty surfaces and let them dry. Excellent results are obtained by
keeping the carpet as dry as possible.
■Seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also
check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
CAUTION
■Water in the vehicle
●Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle, such as on the floor, in the
hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents, and in the luggage compartment.
Doing so may cause the hybrid battery (traction battery), electrical compo-
nents, etc. to malfunction or catch fire.
●Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet.
(→P. 1 8 6 )
An electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function
properly, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect off
the windshield, obstructing the driver’s view and leading to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.