heating TOYOTA PRIUS V 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

39
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
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 your Toyota dealer.

50
1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the following
points:
■ Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accelera-
tor pedal depression amount can be generated more smoothly than it is
in normal conditions. In addition, the operation of the air conditioning
system (heating/cooling) will be minimized, improving the fuel econ-
omy. ( P. 185)
■Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the indicate of Hybrid Sys-
tem Indicator within Eco area or Charge area. ( P. 201)
■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 slowing down.
■Delays
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at traffic
lights, will lead to bad fuel consumption. Check traffic reports before
leaving and avoid delays as much as possible. When encountering a
delay, gently release the brake pedal to allow the vehicle to move for-
ward slightly while avoiding overuse of the accelerator pedal. Doing so
can help control excessive gasoline consumption.
■Highway driving
Control your speed and keep at a constant speed. Also, before stop-
ping at a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to release the acceler-
ator and gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of electrical energy
can be retained when slowing down.

170 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
CAUTION
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health
hazard.
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the hybrid system. In a
closed area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the
vehicle. This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust system should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or
crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise,
be sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
■ 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.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the others will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase. If this happens, do not continue to drive the vehicle. If the brake
system warning light (red indicator) comes on while driving, immediately
stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.

185
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
2
When driving
■
Selecting a driving mode
The following modes can be selected to suit driving conditions:
Eco drive mode
The torque generated in response to accelerator pedal depression will
lessen compared to normal, and air conditioning operation (heating/
cooling) will be restrained, thus suiting driving with improved fuel effi-
ciency.
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 r egions or when overtaking.
When the power mode switch is pressed, the “PWR MODE” indicator
comes on.

187
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
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. 185) 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.
● 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.
● 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.

193
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
2
When driving
Parking brake
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
 P. 442
■ Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. ( P. 271)
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.)
U.S.A.
Canada

205
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
2
When driving
■
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 panel light
If the headlight switch is turned to ON while the surrounding area is dark, the
instrument panel lights will dim.
■ When disconnecting and reconnect ing 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. 485)
■ The trip information disp lay 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.

252 2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
■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. 451
CAUTION
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● Tires with inadequate gripping ability are used (such as excessively worn
tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situ-
ations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■ TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.

289
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
3
Interior features
■Outside temperature display
In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be dis-
played, or the display may take longer than normal to change.
● When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 16 mph [25 km/h])
● When the outside temperature has changed suddenly (at the entrance/
exit of a garage, tunnel, etc.)
■ 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. 185)
● Customize the air conditioning control of Eco drive mode. ( P. 527)
■ 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.

318 3-5. Other interior features
PRIUS v_U (OM47674U)
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.