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Toyota hybrid system combines the
gasoline engine and the electric motor
power to improve the fuel economy
largely and minimize the emissions as
well as to provide higher power perfor-
mance than the ordinary gasoline pow-
ered vehicles.
Depending on the driving condition, the
vehicle runs on the best combination of;
Gasoline engine power
Electric motor power generated by
the gasoline engine
Electric motor power of the hybrid
vehicle battery
Furthermore, the energy is effectively used
in the following ways:
When stopping the vehicle, the gaso-
line engine is automatically stopped.
When decreasing the speed by apply-
ing the brakes, electricity converted
from the turning force of the wheels is
stored in the hybrid vehicle battery.
(This is called regenerative brake.) Since the battery is charged by the
gasoline engine as needed, it does not
require charging from the outside like
an electric vehicle.
In this way, greatly improved fuel economy
and reduced emissions are attained.
If you do not use the vehicle for a long
time, the hybrid vehicle battery will dis-
charge and the battery condition is liable
to decline.
Basic operations are described below. Be-
sides, Toyota hybrid system performs vari-
ous controls depending on the operating
condition, such as at the time of hybrid
system starting, at the time of charging
should be required, at the time of the air
conditioning is in use, etc.
Toyota hybrid system
Toyota hybrid system
operating condition
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Storing electric power
When decreasing speed or applying the
brakes, the turning force of the wheels
makes the electric motor operate as a
generator and additional electricity is
stored in the hybrid vehicle battery (regen-
erative brake).
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Not in use
When stopping, the gasoline engine auto-
matically shuts off.
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Charging hybrid vehicle battery
When the hybrid vehicle battery power is
insufficient, the gasoline engine charges
the hybrid vehicle battery. The system al-
ways supplies electricity at a constant lev-
el.
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The hybrid system automatically con-
trols the level of electrical power re-
maining in the hybrid vehicle battery.
With the selector lever in a position
other than “N”, electricity is generated
and charging occurs when the level of
electrical power in the hybrid vehicle
battery decreases. It is unnecessary to
charge the hybrid vehicle battery from
outside.
INFORMATION:
The gasoline engine starts and stops
automatically. (It stops during a low
load driving, deceleration or when the
vehicle stopped.)
If the “READY” light remains on, you
can start your vehicle using the electric
motor even with the gasoline engine
stopped.
The gasoline engine may not stop auto-
matically in the following conditions:
During under gasoline engine warm
up
During hybrid vehicle battery charg-
ing
When the air conditioning is used in
the “MAX” mode, the gasoline engine
is frequently used. If the output control warning light ()
comes on in the instrument cluster, the
hybrid vehicle battery temperature is
low or high, or the hybrid vehicle bat-
tery capacity is decreased with the se-
lector lever at “R” during driving. As it
does not indicate the failure of the sys-
tem, you can continue driving but avoid
hard acceleration because the power is
insufficient (which is caused by the bat-
tery power deterioration).
The vehicle runs in combination with
the gasoline and electric power. Pay
special attention to the following items.
Be careful of a high voltage and high
temperature.
Your vehicle is equipped with the orange
colored cables connected to the hybrid
vehicle battery which contain a high volt-
age (about 300 V) and to other high volt-
age parts.
CAUTION
Do not touch or come in contact with
orange cables or battery terminals.
Electric shock may cause serious in-
jury or death. Read all caution labels.
A electric motor, coolant radiator and
some other parts reach high temperature
when you are driving. Caution labels are
applied to these parts. Carefully observe
the instructions on these caution labels.
Precautions for use
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When you put the running mode selec-
tor lever in “B” position and release
your foot from the accelerator pedal,
engine braking will be applied. Howev-
er, during the high speed driving you
may feel that deceleration by engine
braking is less than that of ordinary
vehicle.
Drive your vehicle without hard accel-
eration if the output control warning
light
() is on.
The hybrid vehicle battery temperature is
low or high, or the hybrid vehicle battery
capacity is decreased with the selector
lever at “R” during driving. If this occurs,
the output control warning light comes on.
If the output control warning light is on,
the hybrid system output is limited. Drive
your vehicle without hard acceleration.
Vehicle performance might be reduced sig-
nificantly especially when backing up.
Be sure to put the running mode selec-
tor lever in “P” position when parking.
With the selector lever in “N” position, the
hybrid vehicle battery assembly is not
charged, even if the gasoline engine is
operating. You cannot run your vehicle if
the selector lever is left in “N” position for
a long time because the hybrid vehicle
battery assembly will be discharged. When you leave your vehicle, apply the
parking brake with the running mode
selector lever in “P” position and be
sure to remove the key and lock all the
doors.
When you leave the the ignition key in the
“ACC” or “ON” position if the hybrid sys-
tem is not operating, the hybrid system
may not start because the auxiliary bat-
tery will be discharged.
CAUTION
When you leave your vehicle, be
sure to shut off the hybrid system.
Be sure to put the running mode
selector lever in “P” position be-
cause the vehicle can start with the
“READY” light on and the engine
stopped (no engine sound and
vibration). When the “READY” light
is on, if you leave your vehicle with
the running mode selector lever in
a position other than “P” and “N”,
the vehicle will creep and start
abruptly with the accelerator pedal
being depressed by mistake. It may
cause death or serious injury.
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If the multi information display shows
a message, the master warning light
() comes on in the instrument clus-
ter. Read the message and follow the
instruction.
When you leave your vehicle, or stop
or park for a while, put the selector
lever in “P”.
Charging is necessary. With the selec-
tor lever in “N” position, charging will
not be applied. The electric generator
operates in “P”, “D” or “B” position. If
you continue driving, put the selector
lever in “D” or “B” position and depress
the accelerator pedal. Do not leave it
in “N” position. When driving in traffic
jam, run in “D” position.