2003 TOYOTA PRIUS fuel consumption

89
24p001a
The gauge indicates the approximate
quantity of fuel remaining in the tank
when the ignition switch is on.
Nearly full–Indicator at “F”
Nearly empty–Indicator at “E”
It is a good idea to keep the tank over
1/4 full.
When you refuel on the slope, the indica-
tor may not show the correct level.
When you refuel less than about 11.4 L
(3.0 gal., 2.5 lmp. gal.), the fuel indicator
may not change.
After the auxiliary battery is reconnected,
one segment will flash for a while. Depending on the ambient temperature,
the fuel quantity is less than 45 L (11.9
gal., 9.9 lmp. gal.) even at “F”. However,
this does not affect the fuel consumption
and the remaining fuel ratio indicated on
the gauge. (For details, see “Fuel” on
page 150 in Section 3.)
24p002a
Blink
Low fuel level indicator light
If the fuel level approaches “E” or the low
fuel level indicator light blinks, fill the fuel
tank as soon as possible.
44.Fuel gauge

11 6
59.Functions
26p027b
1. Trip information and Screen transi-tion
Fuel consumption and energy monitor on
the hybrid system are shown. For details,
see page 117.
26p026a
2. Adjustment
The contrast and brightness on the screen
are adjusted. For details, see page 119.
24p007a
3. Audio
The radio and cassette tape operations
are available. For details, see page 122.

11 7
24p006b
4. Warning display
The warning symbol for the faulty system
is highlighted. For details, see page 100.
60.Information
26p009a
Push the “INFO” button to display the
“Information Menu” screen.
26p027b
Trip information: The energy monitor and
fuel consumption screen are selected.
Screen transition: The screen transition
screen is shown.

11 8
—Trip information
26p038c
Energy monitor screen
Touch the “Energy” switch. Vehicle driving
condition, hybrid system operating condi-
tion and energy recovery condition are
shown.
1.Indicates the flow of energy by orange
arrows. While the energy is recovered,
the arrows change the pointing direc-
tion and turn green.
2. Indicates the remaining capacity of the
hybrid vehicle battery.
The screen display updates every 2 sec-
onds, so it may not coincide with the
actual status.
26p039b
Fuel consumption screen
Touch the “Consumption” switch. Average
fuel consumption, momentary fuel con-
sumption and recovered energy are
shown.
1. Indicates the past momentary fuel con-
sumption every 5 minutes.
2. Indicates the energy recovered for 5
minutes with symbols. One symbol re-
fers to 50 Wh or the energy by which
a 50 W bulb illuminates for an hour.
Up to 4 symbols will be shown.
3. Indicates the current momentary fuel
consumption. 4.
Indicates the average fuel consumption
after being reset. To reset, touch the
“Reset” switch.

149
103.INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING
YOUR TOYOTA
Information before driving your TOYOTA
Breakin period150
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
Fuel 150
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shutoff system m 152. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries 152
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Threeway catalytic converter Toyota HC adsorber and catalyst system 153
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust cautions 154
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Facts about engine oil consumption 155
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iridiumtipped spark plugs 156
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 156
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 160
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Luggage stowage precautions 160
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Toyota’s identification 161
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft prevention labels 162
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. .
Suspension and chassis 162
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Types of tires 162
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. . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3

155
FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of
lubricating and cooling the inside of the
engine, and plays a major role in main-
taining the engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil
is left on the cylinder wall when a
piston moves downwards in the cylin-
der. High negative pressure generated
when the vehicle is decelerating sucks
some of this oil into the combustion
chamber. This oil as well as some part
of the oil film left on the cylinder wall
is burned by the high temperature com-
bustion gases during the combustion
process.
Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.
The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by highspeed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately. As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds.
IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
111.Facts about engine oil
consumption

170
Improving fuel economy is easyjust take
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the cor-
rect pressure. Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See page
221 in Section 82 for instructions.
Do not carry unneeded weight in
your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Avoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down. Stopandgo driving
wastes power.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and
braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to
avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis-
tance from other vehicles to avoid sud-
den braking. This will also reduce wear
on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams
whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on brake ped-
al. This causes premature wear, over-
heating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on high-
ways. The faster you drive, the greater
the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel con-
sumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper
alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on
the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free
from mud, etc. This not only lessens
weight but also helps prevent corro-
sion.
Keep your vehicle tunedup and in
top shape . A dirty air cleaner, improp-
er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc.
all lower engine performance and con-
tribute to poor fuel economy. For longer
life of all parts and lower operating
costs, keep all maintenance work on
schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your ve-
hicle receives more frequent mainte-
nance.
CAUTION
Never turn off the hybrid system to
coast down hills. Your power steering
and brake booster will not function
without the hybrid system running.
Also, the emission control system op-
erates properly only when the hybrid
system is running.
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer,
too127.