traction control TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN 2015 Owners Manual

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PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
CAUTION
■General precautions while driving
Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influ-
ence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehi-
cle. Alcohol and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and
reduce coordination, which could lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other
drivers or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.
Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that dis-
tracts the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or
reading can result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you,
your occupants or others.
■General precaution regarding children’s safety
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to
have or use the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral.
There is also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with
the windows or other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat build-up or
extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.

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PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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_OM47A11U_(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. (oP. 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_OM47A11U_(U)
Plug-in hybrid system precautions
Ta k e c a r e w h e n h a n d l i n g t h e h y b r i d system, as it contains a high
voltage system (about 650V at maximum) as well as parts that
become extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey
the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
Service plug
Caution label
Power control unit and DC/
DC converter
Electric motor (traction motor)
Air conditioning compressor
High voltage cables (orange)
Battery charger
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
Charging inlet

258
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
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.
■Situations where shift control system malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs, shift control system malfunctions are
possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, apply the park-
ing brake, and then contact your Toyota dealer.
●When the “P LOCK MALFUNCTION” warning message appears on the
multi-information display. (oP. 5 5 2 )
●When the shift position indicator remains off.
■Notes regarding shift lever and P position switch operation
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift lever and P position switch in quick suc-
cession.
The system protection function may activate and it will not be temporarily
possible to shift the shift position other than P. If this happens, please wait
for approximately 20 seconds before attempting to change the shift position
again.

333
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
2
When driving
Driving assist systems
To h e l p e n h a n c e d r i v i n g s a f e t y and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in response to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road
surfaces by controlling steering performance.

377
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
3
Interior features
Remote Air Conditioning System
The Remote Air Conditioning System uses electrical energy stored
in the hybrid battery (traction battery) and allows the air conditioning
to be operated by remote control.
If the Remote Air Conditioning System is used while the charging
cable is connected to the vehicle, the reduction of charge in the
hybrid battery (traction battery) will be suppressed to allow you to
use electricity from an external power source.
Charging will be conducted automatically after the Remote Air Condi-
tioning System is stopped.
■Before leaving the vehicle
Check the temperature setting of the air conditioning system.
The Remote Air Conditioning System will operate in accordance with
the temperature settings of the air conditioning system.
■Activating the Remote Air Conditioning System
Press and hold the to
operate the Remote Air Condi-
tioning System.
The system will shut off if a
door is opened.
The system can be stopped by
pressing the twice.

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6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
This information has been prepared in accordance with regulations
issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
It provides the purchasers and/or prospective purchasers of Toyota
vehicles with information on uniform tire quality grading.
Yo u r To y o t a d e a l e r w i l l h e l p a n s wer any questions you may have as
you read this information.
■DOT quality grades
All passenger vehicle tires must conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in addition to these grades. Quality grades can be
found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
■Tr e a d w e a r
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1 - 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions
of their use. Performance may differ significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.

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6-1. Specifications
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
■Tr a c t i o n A A , A , B , C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C,
and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turn-
ing) traction.
■Te m p e r a t u r e A , B , C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, represent-
ing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the labo-
ratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grades of a tire assume that it is properly
inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire fail-
ure.