overheating TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS 2013 Owners Manual

48 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS +_OM_OM47841E_(EE)
CAUTION
If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with front wheels raised. If the
wheels connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground
when towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may
cause a fire. (P. 455)
Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Your vehicle contains a sealed lithium-ion battery. If disposed of improperly,
it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe burns and
electrical shock that may result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vent
Do not put foreign objects near the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat and be damaged.
Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vent as this may
cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).
Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the
vehicle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
may be damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.

203 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47841E_(EE)
CAUTION
When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in
a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
When braking
When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
If the electronically controlled assist function does not operate, do not fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require
braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
The brake system consists of 2 or more individual hydraulic systems; if
one of the systems fails, the other(s) will still operate. In this case, the
brake pedal should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking
distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.

226
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS +_OM_OM47841E_(EE)
Parking brake
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
P. 463
Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. (P. 313)
NOTICE
Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake
pedal with your left foot while
depressing the brake pedal
with your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)

239 2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47841E_(EE)
Engine speed
On hybrid vehicles, engine speed is precisely controlled in order to help
improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions etc.
There are times when the engine speed that is displayed may differ even
when vehicle operation and driving conditions are the same.
Brightness of the instrument cluster light
If the headlight switch is turned to ON while the surrounding area is dark, the
instrument cluster lights will dim.
When disconnecting and reconnecting 12-volt battery terminals
The average fuel consumption and cruising range will be reset.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The engine may be overheating if the high coolant temperature warning light
comes on or flashes. In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. (P. 522)
The trip information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal
information display. At extremely low temperatures, the information display
monitor may respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed.

294 2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS +_OM_OM47841E_(EE)
Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur,
refrain from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid
system off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
P. 472
Operating conditions of emergency brake signal
When the following three conditions are met, the emergency brake signal
will operate:
The emergency flashers are off.
Actual vehicle speed is over 55 km/h (35 mph).
The brake pedal is depressed in a manner that cause the system to
judge from the vehicle deceleration that this is a sudden braking opera-
tion.
Automatic system cancelation of emergency brake signal
The emergency brake signal will turn off in any of the following situations:
The emergency flashers are turned on.
The brake pedal is released.
The system judges from the vehicle deceleration that is not a sudden
braking operation.

362 3-5. Other interior features
PRIUS +_OM_OM47841E_(EE)
CAUTION
Burns
Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat
heater on to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically chal-
lenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature
of the seat and may lead to overheating.
Do not use the seat heater more than necessary. Doing so may cause
minor burns or overheating.
NOTICE
To prevent seat heater damage
Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do
not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Turn the seat heaters off when the hybrid system is off.

522
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47841E_(EE)
If your vehicle overheats
Correction procedures
If the high coolant temperature warning light comes on or
flashes
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition-
ing system, and then stop the hybrid system.
If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
The high coolant temperature warning light (P. 464) comes on
or flashes, or a loss of hybrid system power is experienced. (For
example, the vehicle speed does not increase.)
The hybrid system overheat warning light (P. 469) comes on.
Steam comes out from under the hood.
STEP 1
STEP 2

558 Alphabetical index
PRIUS +_OM_OM47841E_(EE)
Bluetooth®*
Bottle holders........................... 351
Brake
Fluid ...................................... 543
Parking brake ........................ 226
Brake assist.............................. 291
Break-in tips ............................. 195
Brightness control
Instrument cluster light
control ................................. 231
Camera
*
Care
Exterior.................................. 376
Interior ................................... 381
Seat belts .............................. 382
Cargo hooks ............................. 371
CD player
*
Chains ....................................... 315
Child restraint system
Baby seats, definition ............ 168
Baby seats, installation ......... 180
Child seats, definition ............ 168
Child seats,
installation........................... 180
Installing child restraint system
with ISOFIX rigid
anchors ............................... 186
Installing child restraint system
with seat belts ..................... 180
Installing child restraint system
with top strap ...................... 188
Junior seats, definition .......... 168
Junior seats,
installation........................... 180Child safety
Airbag precautions ................ 160
Back door precautions ............ 94
Child restraint system ........... 168
Child-protectors ...................... 90
How your child should wear
the seat belt ........................ 121
Installing
child restraints .................... 179
Panoramic roof
precautions ......................... 365
Power window lock switch .... 130
Power window precautions ... 133
Removed electronic key battery
precautions ......................... 426
Seat belt precautions ............ 122
Seat heater precautions........ 362
12-volt battery precautions ... 410
Child-protectors......................... 90
Cleaning
Exterior ................................. 376
Interior................................... 381
Seat belts .............................. 382
Clock ......................................... 358
Condenser ................................ 404
Console box ............................. 348
Cooling system
Engine overheating ............... 522
Hybrid system overheating ... 522
Cruise control
Cruise control........................ 267
Dynamic radar cruise
control................................. 272
Cup holders.............................. 349
Curtain shield airbags ............. 153
Customizable features ............ 548
C

560 Alphabetical index
PRIUS +_OM_OM47841E_(EE)
Engine
Accessory mode ................... 208
Compartment ........................ 397
Hood ..................................... 391
How to start the hybrid
system ................................ 206
Identification number............. 535
If the hybrid system will not
start..................................... 510
Ignition switch ....................... 206
Overheating .......................... 522
“POWER” switch ................... 206
Engine coolant
Capacity ................................ 541
Checking ............................... 402
Preparing and checking
before winter ....................... 313
Engine/power control unit coolant
Capacity ................................ 541
Checking ............................... 402
Preparing and checking
before winter ....................... 313
Engine oil
Capacity ................................ 537
Checking ............................... 398
Preparing and checking
before winter ....................... 313
EPS............................................ 291
EV drive mode switch.............. 213Floor mats ................................ 369
Fluid
Brake .................................... 543
Washer ................................. 405
Fog lights
Replacing light bulbs............. 439
Switch ................................... 258
Wattage ................................ 545
Foot lights ................................ 341
Front fog lights
Replacing light bulbs............. 439
Switch ................................... 258
Wattage ................................ 545
Front passenger’s seat belt
reminder light ........................ 471
Front position lights
Switch ................................... 253
Front seats
Adjustment .............................. 98
Flattening seatbacks ............... 99
Front turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs............. 439
Switch ................................... 225
Wattage ................................ 545
Fuel
Capacity ................................ 536
Fuel gauge ............................ 228
Information ............................ 546
Refueling............................... 134
Type ...................................... 546
Fuel door .................................. 134
Fuel filler door.......................... 134
Fuses ........................................ 427F

562 Alphabetical index
PRIUS +_OM_OM47841E_(EE)
License plate lights
Replacing light bulbs ............. 439
Wattage................................. 545
Light bulbs
Replacing .............................. 439
Wattage................................. 545
Lights
Emergency flasher switch ..... 454
Fog light switch ..................... 258
Foot lights ............................. 341
Hazard light switch ................ 454
Headlight switch .................... 253
Interior lights ......................... 342
Personal lights ...................... 343
Replacing light bulbs ............. 439
Shift lever lighting.................. 341
Turn signal lever ................... 225
Turn signal light switch.......... 225
Vanity lights........................... 357
Wattage................................. 545
Luggage compartment light
Switch ..................................... 93
Wattage................................. 545
Luggage cover ......................... 373
Maintenance
Do-it-yourself maintenance ... 387
Maintenance data ................. 534
Maintenance requirements ... 384Meter
Instrument cluster light
control................................. 231
Meters ................................... 228
Speed unit select button ....... 230
Trip information display......... 233
Microphone
*
Mirrors
Inside rear view mirror .......... 126
Side mirror heater ................. 335
Side mirrors .......................... 128
Vanity mirrors........................ 357
MP3 disc
*
Navigation system
(refer to “Navigation
System Owner’s Manual”)
Odometer.................................. 229
Oil
Engine oil .............................. 398
Opener
Back door................................ 92
Fuel filler door ....................... 134
Hood ..................................... 391
Outside rear view mirrors
Adjusting and folding ............ 128
Outside rear view mirror
defogger switch..................... 335
Outside temperature
display .................................... 320
Overhead console ................... 352
Overheating.............................. 522
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