air condition TOYOTA PRIUS V 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
1Before driving
Information on the hybrid system and adjusting and op-
erating features such as door locks, mirrors, and steer-
ing column
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in-
terior features for a comfortable driving experience
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident
6Vehicle
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

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system .............................. 280
Using the steering wheel climate remote control
switches ........................... 293
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger
switch ............................... 295
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system types ............ 296
3-3. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................. 301
• Interior lights .................... 302
• Personal lights ................. 303 3-4. Using the storage features
List of storage features ....... 305
• Glove boxes ..................... 307
• Console box ..................... 308
• Cup holders ...................... 309
• Bottle holders ................... 311
• Auxiliary boxes ................. 312
• Door pockets .................... 313
• Card holder ....................... 313
3-5. Other interior features Sun visors ........................... 314
Vanity mirrors ..................... 315
Clock................................... 316
Power outlets ...................... 317
Seat heaters ....................... 319
Armrest ............................... 321
Panoramic roof shades....... 322
Floor mats........................... 326
Luggage compartment features ............................ 328
Garage door opener ........... 332
Safety Connect ................... 340
3Interior features

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 348
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............. 352
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..................... 355
General maintenance.......... 358
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................... 362
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 363
Hood ................................... 366
Positioning a floor jack ........ 369
Engine compartment ........... 372
12-volt battery ..................... 384
Tires .................................... 389
Tire inflation pressure ......... 398
Wheels ................................ 402
Air conditioning filter............ 405
Electronic key battery.......... 408
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 410
Light bulbs........................... 421 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers............ 436
If your vehicle needs to be towed................................ 437
If you think something is wrong ............................... 443
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds.............................. 444
If you have a flat tire ........... 462
If the hybrid system will not start ............................ 476
If you lose your keys........... 478
If the electronic key does not operate properly ......... 479
If the 12-volt battery is discharged........................ 481
If your vehicle overheats .... 487
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 491
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 493
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

18
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
AUX port/USB port*
Power outlet P. 317
Seat heater switches P. 319
Air conditioning system P. 280
Rear window and outside
rear view mirror defoggers
P. 295
Pictorial indexInstrument panel
D

34 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift
position to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating and are not a malfunction:
● The brake system operation sound heard from the front of the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) when the
hybrid system starts or stops.
● Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the gasoline engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal
is depressed and accelerator is loosened.
● Other sounds, such as motors and mechanical noises, may be heard
from the brake system when the brake pedal is depressed.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent. (
P. 37)
● The operation sound of the air conditioning system (air conditioning com-
pressor, blower motor).

36
1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
Hybrid system precautions
Take care when handling the hybrid 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.
Air conditioning compressor
High voltage cables (orange)
Power control unit and DC/
DC converter
Electric motor (traction
motor)Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
Caution label
Service plug
/

52
1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
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
accelerator pedal depression amount can be generated more
smoothly than it is in normal conditions. In addition, the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling) will be mini-
mized, improving th e fuel economy. (P. 187)
■ Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the indicate of Hybrid
System Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 203)
■ 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 slow-
ing 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 forward 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
stopping at a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to release
the accelerator and gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of
electrical energy can be reta ined when slowing down.

53
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■
Air conditioning on/off
Switch the air conditioning ( ) to off when it is not needed.
Doing so can help control excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: In high temperatures, use the recirculated air mode.
Doing so will help to reduce t he burden on the air conditioner
and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasoline engine will not automatically cut
out until the gasoline engine and the interior of the vehicle are
warm, it will consume fuel. Also, fuel consumption can be
improved by avoiding overuse of the heater.
■ Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently.
Improper tire inflation pressure can cause poor fuel consump-
tion.
Also, as snow tires can cause lar ge amounts of friction, their use
on dry roads can lead to poor fuel consumption. Use a tire that is
appropriate for the season.
■ Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage can lead to poor fuel consumption.
Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack
can also cause poor fuel consumption.
■ Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically
when cold, warming up the engine is unnecessary. Moreover,
frequently driving s hort distances will ca use the engine to
repeatedly warm up, which can lead to poor fuel consumption.

65
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
1
Before driving
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■
Conditions aff ecting operation
The smart key system, wireless remote control and immobilizer system use
weak radio waves. In the following situations, the communication between
the electronic key and the vehicle may be affected, preventing the smart key
system, wireless remote control and immobilizer system from operating
properly. (Ways of coping: P. 479)
● When the electronic key battery is depleted
● Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electri-
cal noise
● When carrying a portable radio, ce llular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication devices
● When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following
metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
● When other wireless key (that emit radio waves) is being used nearby
● When carrying the electronic key together with the following devices that
emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio
waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to
the rear window

128 1-8. Safety information
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■SRS airbag deployment conditions (SRS front airbags)
● The SRS front airbags will deploy in the event of an impact that exceeds
the set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to an approxi-
mately 12 - 18 mph [20 - 30 km/h] frontal collision with a fixed wall that
does not move or deform).
However, this threshold velocity will be considerably higher if the vehicle
strikes an object, such as a parked vehicle and sign pole, which can move
or deform on impact, or if the vehicle is involved in an underride collision
(e.g. a collision in which the front of the vehicle “underrides”, or goes
under, the bed of a truck, etc.).
● Depending on the type of collision, it is possible that only the seat belt
pretensioners will activate.
● The SRS front airbags for the front passenger will not activate if there is
no passenger sitting in the front passenger seat. However, the SRS front
airbags for the front passenger may deploy if luggage is put in the seat,
even if the seat is unoccupied. ( P. 138)
■ SRS airbag deployment conditions (S RS side and curtain shield air-
bags)
● The SRS side and curtain shield airbags will deploy in the event of an
impact that exceeds the set threshold level (the level of force corre-
sponding to the impact force produced by an approximately 3300 lb.
[1500 kg] vehicle colliding with the vehicle cabin from a direction perpen-
dicular to the vehicle orientation at an approximate speed of 12 - 18 mph
[20 - 30 km/h]).
● The SRS curtain shield airbags may also deploy in the event of a severe
frontal collision.