2002 TOYOTA PRIUS engine overheat

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1. Threeway catalytic converter
2. Toyota HC adsorber and catalyst sys-tem
The threeway catalytic converter and
Toyota HC adsorber and catalyst system
are emission control devices installed
in the exhaust system.
Its purpose is to reduce pollutants in the
exhaust gas.
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible mate-
rials away from the exhaust pipe
while the engine is running. The
exhaust gas is very hot.
Do not drive, idle or park your ve-
hicle over anything that might burn
easily such as grass, leaves, paper
or rags.
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases
flowing into the threeway catalytic
converter and Toyota HC adsorber
and catalyst system may cause it to
overheat and create a fire hazard. To
prevent this and other damage, ob-
serve the following precautions:
 Use only unleaded gasoline.
 Do not drive with an extremely low
fuel level; running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, creat-
ing an excessive load on the three
way catalytic converter and Toyota
HC adsorber and catalyst system.
 Do not turn off the ignition while
the vehicle is moving.
 Keep your engine in good running
order. Malfunctions in the engine
electrical system, electronic ignition
system/distributor ignition system
or fuel system could cause an ex-
tremely high temperature of three
way catalytic converter and Toyota
HC adsorber and catalyst system.
Threeway catalytic converter
Toyota HC adsorber and
catalyst system

163
When the ignition switch is turned to on
or off, you may hear a sound coming from
the hybrid vehicle battery in the trunk.
However, this does not indicate any
trouble.
NOTICE
The “READY” light does not come on
when the selector lever is put in a
position other than “P”. Depress the
brake pedal and put the selector lever
in “P” and turn the ignition switch to
“START” again.
If there is a problem somewhere in the
hybrid system, the hybrid system malfunc-
tion warning light will come on in place of
the “READY” light. If this happens, contact
Toyota dealer.
NOTICE
When you start the hybrid system at
a lowered outside temperature, it may
take longer before the blinking
“READY” light changes to stay on.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.
This will allow you much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharp−edged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so
can lead to severe tire damage result-
ing in tire bursts.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps
or travelling on a bumpy road. Other-
wise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
When parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and put the selector le-
ver into “P”. If necessary, block the
wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you, and then
press the pedal lightly. If you do not
feel a normal braking force, the brakes
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly
pressing the brake pedal with the park-
ing brake pulled. If they still do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road
and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure the
parking brake is fully released and
that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended with the “READY” light on.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
not work properly.
Be careful when accelerating or
braking on a slippery surface. Sud-
den acceleration or engine braking,
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
Tips for driving in various
conditions

172
If your hybrid system stalls while driving...1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the
road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Turn the ignition switch to ”OFF” posi- tion, and try starting the hybrid system
again.
If the hybrid system will not start, see “If
your vehicle will not start” on page 168.
CAUTION
If the hybrid system is not operating,
the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work so steering and
braking will be much harder than usu-
al.
If your high coolant temperature warn-
ing light comes on, if you experience a
loss of power, or if you hear a loud
knocking or pinging noise, the hybrid
system has probably overheated. You
should follow this procedure... 1. Pull safely off the road, stop the ve- hicle and turn on your emergency
flashers. Put the transmission in “P”
and apply the parking brake. Turn off
the air conditioning if it is being used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir, stop the hybrid
system. Wait until the steam subsides
before opening the hood. If there is no
coolant boiling over or steam, leave the
hybrid system running and make sure
the electric cooling fan is operating. If
it is not, turn the ignition off.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep
the hood closed until there is no
steam. Escaping steam or coolant is
a sign of very high pressure.
3. Look for obvious coolant leaks from theradiator, hoses, and under the vehicle.
However, note that water draining from
the air conditioning is normal if it has
been used.
CAUTION
When the hybrid system is running,
keep hands and clothing away from
the moving fan and engine drive
belts.
4. If the coolant is leaking, stop the hy-brid system immediately. Call a Toyota
dealer for assistance.
5. If there are no obvious leaks, check the coolant reservoir. If it is dry, add
coolant to the reservoir while the hy-
brid system is running. Fill it about half
full.
CAUTION
Do not attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the hybrid system and ra-
diator are hot. Serious injury could
result from scalding hot fluid and
steam blown out under pressure.
If your hybrid system stalls
while driving If your vehicle overheats

2
Quick index
If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 91 . . . . .
 If your vehicle will not start 168 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 If your vehicle overheats 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
.
 If you have a flat tire 173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . .
 If your vehicle needs to be towed 180 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Tips for driving during break-in period 146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 How to start the hybrid system 162 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 General maintenance 195 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
 Complete index NO TAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
Gas station information
Fuel type:
UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91)
or higher.
See page 146 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity:
45 L (11.9 gal., 9.9 lmp. gal.)
See page 146 for detailed information.
Engine oil:
API grade SJ, ”Energy −Conserving” or ILSAC multigrade engine oil
is recommended.
See page 209 for detailed information.
Automatic transmission fluid: Automatic transmission fluid Type T −IV or equivalent
Tire information: See pages 214 through 219.
Tire pressure: See page 237.