2003 TOYOTA PRIUS battery

iv
Spark ignition system of your Toyota
The spark ignition system in your Toyota meets all re-
quirements of the Canadian InterferenceCausing Equip-
ment Standard.
Installation of a mobiletwoway radio system
As the installation of a mobile twoway radio system in
your vehicle could affect electronic systems such as
multiport fuel injection system / sequential multiport fuel
injection system, cruise control system, antilock brake
system, SRS airbag system, seat belt pretensi oner sys-
tem and Toyota hybrid system, be sure to check with
your Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or special
instructions regarding installation.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in
your Toyota contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is
scrapped with the airbags and pretensioners left as they
are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to
have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt preten-
sioner removed and disposed of by the qualified service
shop or by your Toyota dealer before you dispose of your
vehicle.
CAUTION
When your vehicle or battery needs to be dis-
posed of, be sure to consult your Toyota dealer.
Hybrid vehicle batteries must be collected
through Toyota dealers. If your vehicle is dis-
posed of without dismantling, someone could
receive an electric shock by touching the high
voltage parts of the hybrid vehicle battery. If the
battery is not disposed of properly, its contents
can cause death or serious injury.

v
Hybrid vehicle battery
Hybrid vehicle battery has a limited service life. Call
your Toyota dealer for information concerning recycling
or disposal of hybrid vehicle battery and your vehicle.
CAUTION
Precautions for useof hybrid vehicle
The vehicle has both high voltage DC and AC systems as
well as a 12volt system. DC and AC high voltage are both
very dangerous and can cause death or serious injury, se-
vere burns and electric shock.
In order to avoid personal injuries, do not touch
the high voltage cables (orange colored) and their
connectors.
Follow the caution labels attached to the high volt-
age parts.
Do not remove or replace the high voltage parts
such as the inverter unit (located in the engine
compartment), hybrid vehicle battery (located be-
tween rear seat and trunk), etc.
Do not touch the service plug located in the left
side trim of the trunk without hybrid system tech-
nical training. (See “Precautions for use” on page
12 in Section 12.) This component is provided to
disable the high voltage system in case of servic-
ing at a Toyota dealer.

vi
CAUTION
If an accident occurs
Pull your Toyota off the road, put the selector le-
ver in “P” and remove the ignition key.
In order to avoid personal injuries, do not touch
any high voltage wirings and their connectors, and
high voltage parts (inverter unit, hybrid vehicle
battery, etc.).
If some exposed electric wirings are protruding in-
side or outside of your Toyota, an electric shock
may occur. Never touch the electric wirings.
If fluid leaks or gets in some parts of the vehicle,
never touch it because it may be electrolyte
(strong alkali) from the hybrid vehicle battery. If it
gets into your skin or eyes, wash off immediately
with a large amount of water, if possible, boric
acid solution, and get immediate medical attention
in order to help avoid serious injury.
If a vehicle fire occurs, extinguish it using a fire
extinguisher for the exclusive use on electric fires.
Or, use a large amount of water to prevent flam-
mable gas from being generated from the batteries.
When your Toyota needs to be towed, do it with
the front wheels raised. For details on towing, see
“If your vehicle needs to be towed” on page 182 in
Section 5.

6
Tail light indicator light
Output control warning light
∗1
Cruise control indicator light∗3
Running mode position indicator light
Driving ready light
Hybrid system warning light
∗2
Power steering warning light∗2
Hybrid vehicle battery warning light∗2
∗1: For details, see ”Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers— —Instrument cluster” on page 92 in Section 24.
∗2: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers— —Multiinformation display” on page 99 in Section
24.
∗3: If this light flashes, see ”Cruise control” on page 109 in
Section 25.

8
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 gasolinepow-
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 (2 weeks or more),
the hybrid ve-
hicle battery and auxiliary battery will dis-
charge and their condition is liable to de-
cline. Therefore, in order to make up for
discharging, charge them once in every 2
weeks for about 30 minutes by starting
the hybrid system with all electrical com-
ponents turned off. 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.
6.Toyota hybrid system
7.Toyota hybrid system
operating condition

9
12p016a
Electric power
in use
When starting or backing up, etc., the
gasoline engine efficiency worsens, so
the vehicle runs on electric power from
hybrid vehicle battery.
12p017a
Gasoline power
in use
During normal driving, the vehicle runs
mainly on gasoline power. However, the
electric motor, using electric power gener-
ated by the gasoline engine, makes up for
any deficiency of gasoline power.
The vehicle controls the optimum ratio of
the gasoline and electric power to help
save energy more effectively.
12p018a
Electric and gasoline
power in use
When driving at full throttle, electric
power is further applied from the hybrid
vehicle battery. Vehicle performance impro-
ves.

10
12p019a
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).
12p020a
Not in use
When stopping, the gasoline engine auto-
matically shuts off.
12p030
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.

11
Turn the ignition key from “ON” to
“START” with the running mode selector
lever in “P” position only. When the
“READY” light flashes and stays on and
a beep sounds after a few seconds, the
hybrid system starts. (If the ambient tem-
perature is low such as during winter con-
ditions, it may take time until the
“READY” light is on.) Being different from
ordinary vehicles, you cannot start your
vehicle with the running mode selector le-
ver in “N” position. (For details, see “How
to start the hybrid system—” on page 164
in Section 4.)Drive your vehicle with a smooth accel-
eration and deceleration.
When driving, energy is effectively re-
covered through the regenerative brake
as the vehicle decelerates. However,
for more efficient use, do not acceler-
ate or decelerate your vehicle more
than necessary.
By avoiding abrupt acceleration and de-
celeration, the remaining capacity of
the hybrid vehicle battery can be pre-
served and it makes it possible to run
the vehicle utilizing the gasoline engine
and the electric power from the hybrid
vehicle battery.
The remaining capacity of the hybrid
vehicle battery can be confirmed on
the energy monitor screen of the multi
information display. See “Information”
on 115 page in Section 26 for details.
As the way in which you drive may
decrease the remaining capacity of the
hybrid vehicle battery and reduce fuel
economy, drive your vehicle without
abrupt acceleration or deceleration.Use the “A/C” mode (with the “A/C”
button only on) when you use the air
conditioning.
As the gasoline engine starts and
stops automatically in this mode, eco-
nomical driving with less emissions is
possible.
In the “MAX” mode (with the “A/C” but-
ton and “MAX” button on), the gasoline
engine is frequently used. Use this
mode only when you need to operate
the air conditioning fully such as when
you should dehumidify or when you are
under a burning sun.
When parking, be sure to put the run-
ning mode selector lever in “P” posi-
tion. While driving, use “D” position.
With the selector lever in “N” position,
the gasoline engine operates but elec-
tricity cannot be generated. The
constant electrical power remaining in
the hybrid vehicle battery becomes in-
sufficient and the battery will be dis-
charged.
8.Starting your vehicle 9.For efficient use of your
vehicle