2004 TOYOTA PRIUS charging

8
Toyota hybrid system combines a gaso-
line engine and electric motor power to
improve the fuel economy and minimize
the emissions as well as to provide
better power performance than the ordi-
nary gasolinepowered 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 efficiently used
in the following ways:
When stopping the vehicle, the gaso-
line engine is automatically stopped.
When applying the brakes or decelerat-
ing, electricity is converted from the
turning force of the wheels and 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 an outside
source like an electric vehicle.
If you do not use the vehicle for a
long time (2 weeks or more), the hy-
brid vehicle battery and auxiliary battery
will discharge and their condition is li-
able to decline. 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 components turned off.Basic operations are described below. Be-
sides, Toyota hybrid system performs vari-
ous controls depending on the operating
condition: The “Energy Monitor” screen
tells you which power is used currently.
Toyota hybrid system Toyota hybrid system
operating condition

10
12p019c
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).
12p020c
Not in use
When stopping, the gasoline engine auto-
matically shuts off.
12p030b
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
Your vehicle is equipped with push but-
ton start. The hybrid system will start
automatically by pressing the “POWER”
switch briefly with the brake pedal de-
pressed.
Without smart function1. Insert the key.
2. Press the “POWER” switch briefly with the brake pedal depressed.
With smart function
1. Carry the key with you.
2. Press the “POWER” switch briefly with the brake pedal depressed.
The “READY” light flashes and stays on.
A beep sounds after a few seconds, and
the hybrid system will start. (If the ambi-
ent temperature is low such as during
winter, it may take time until the “READY”
light comes on.) You cannot start your
vehicle when the brake pedal is not de-
pressed. (For details, see “How to start
the hybrid system—” on page 230.)
The engine may not start even with the
“READY” light on. Drive your vehicle with a smooth accel-
eration and deceleration.
While driving, energy is recovered
through the regenerative brake as the
vehicle decelerates. However, for more
efficient use, do not accelerate or de-
celerate your vehicle more than neces-
sary.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and decelera-
tion.
The remaining capacity of the hybrid
vehicle battery can be confirmed on
the energy monitor screen of the multi
−
information display. See “Information”
on page 150 for details. Gradual or
non− abrupt acceleration or deceleration
will more effectively use the benefits of
an electric motor without having to use
gasoline engine power. When parking, be sure to put the hy-
brid transaxle in “P”. While driving, use
the hybrid transaxle in “D”.
In “N”, the gasoline engine operates
but electricity cannot be generated. The
battery will be discharged requiring un-
necessary engine power to recharge.
The hybrid system automatically re-
charges the hybrid vehicle battery
when the remaining battery power is
reduced. However, the charging is not
available if the hybrid transaxle is “N”.
Starting your vehicle
For efficient use of your
vehicle

14
12p008d
When the multiinformation display
shows this message, the master warn-
ing light
() comes on in the instru-
ment cluster. Read the message and
follow the instruction.
When you leave your vehicle, or stop
or park for a while, put the hybrid
transaxle in “P”.
Charging is necessary. In “N”, charging
will not be applied. The electric genera-
tor operates in “P”, “D” or “B”. If you
continue driving, put the hybrid trans-
axle in “D” or “B” and depress the
accelerator pedal. Do not leave the hy-
brid transaxle in “N”. When driving in
traffic jam, operate in “D”.
12P009c
Do not allow anyone to lean against the
side of the rear right seatback, nor put
any luggage or other obstructions on it.
An air vent is provided on the side of
the rear right seatback to cool the hy-
brid vehicle battery. If this vent is cov-
ered, the hybrid vehicle battery will
overheat resulting in a reduction of the
output performance of the hybrid sys-
tem.
The seat belt not properly set in the
guide on the top of the rear seat may
block the air vent. Be sure to pass the
seat belt through the guide properly.
Do not wet or put foreign objects over
the air vent. Otherwise, the hybrid ve-
hicle battery may be adversely affected
and be damaged.
You may hear a cooling fan noise from
the air vent.
For vehicle repairs or maintenance, be
sure to consult your Toyota dealer.
If your vehicle is beyond repair because
of accident or something, be sure to
consult your Toyota dealer.
As sealed Nickel −Metal hydride batteries
are used, be sure to consult your Toyota
dealer when disposing of your vehicle.

126
(a) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the auxiliary battery
is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, there
is a problem somewhere in the charging
system.
The hybrid system will continue to oper-
ate, however, until the auxiliary battery is
discharged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to
the nearest Toyota dealer or repair shop.(b) Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it stays on while you are driving, pull
off the road to a safe place and stop the
engine immediately. Call a Toyota dealer
or qualified repair shop for assistance.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(c) High Coolant Temperature Warning Light
The light operates to warn that the hybrid
system is almost over heating.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop
the vehicle and check your hybrid system.
For detailed instructions, see “If your ve-
hicle overheats” on page 242.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
NOTICE
 Do not remove the thermostat in
the cooling system as this may
cause the hybrid system to over-
heat. The thermostat is designed to
control the flow of coolant to keep
the temperature of the hybrid sys-
tem within the specified operating
range.
 Continued driving with the light on
could result in the overheating of
hybrid system.

241
50p045c
Booster
battery
Negative
terminal
(“–” mark) Jumper
cable
c. Connect the clamp of the negative
(black) jumper cable to the negative
(–) terminal on the booster battery.
d. Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative (black) jumper cable
to a solid, stationary, unpainted, me-
tallic point of the vehicle with the
discharged battery.
The recommended connecting point is
shown in the following illustrations:
50p080a
Connecting point
CAUTION
When making the connections, to
avoid serious injury, do not lean over
the battery or accidentally let the
jumper cables or clamps touch any-
thing except the correct battery termi-
nals or the ground.
9. Charge the discharged battery with the jumper cables connected for approxi-
mately 5 minutes. At this time, run the
engine in the vehicle with the booster
battery at about 2000 rpm with the ac-
celerator pedal lightly depressed. 10. Start the hybrid system. Make sure the
“READY” light is on. If the hybrid ve-
hicle battery warning light comes on in
the multi −information display, the hybrid
vehicle battery is also discharged. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
11. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the negative cable
and then the positive cable.
12. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths—they may now contain sulfuric
acid.
13. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your auxiliary battery dis-
charging is not apparent (for example,
lights left on), you should have it checked
at your Toyota dealer.
If the first start attempt is not success-
ful...
Check that the clamp on the jumper
cables are tight. Recharge the discharged
battery with the jumper cables connected
for several minutes and restart your hybrid
system in the normal way.
If the another attempt is not successful,
the battery may be depleted. Have it
checked at your Toyota dealer.

297
DOITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Electrical components
Checking auxiliary battery condition 298
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Auxiliary battery recharging precautionss 300
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Checking and replacing fuses 300
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Adding washer fluid 302
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Replacing light bulbs 302
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. . . .
SECTION 8– 3

300
During recharging, the battery is pro-
ducing hydrogen gas.
Therefore, before recharging:1. If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect
the ground cable.
2. Make sure the power switch on the recharger is off when connecting the
charger cables to the battery and when
disconnecting them.
CAUTION
Always charge the battery in an un-
confined area. Do not charge the
battery in a garage or closed room
where there is not sufficient ventila-
tion.
Only do a slow charge (3.5A or
less). Charging at a quicker rate is
dangerous. The battery may ex-
plode, causing personal injuries.
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery with the
hybrid system on. Also, be sure all
accessories are turned off.
83p003
Type A
Type B
Type C Good Blown
Good Blown
Good Blown
Auxiliary battery recharging
precautions
Checking and replacing fuses