2006 TOYOTA PRIUS fuel consumption

122
24p001b
The gauge indicates the approximate
quantity of fuel remaining in the tank
when the “IGON” mode is enabled.
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 a slope, the indicator
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 12 volt 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 318.)
If the fuel gauge display flashes, there
may be a problem in the system. In this
case, contact your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
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Low fuel level indicator light
Blink
If the fuel level approaches “E” or the low
fuel level indicator light blinks, fill the fuel
tank as soon as possible.
Fuel gauge

166
Information
26p009b
Type 1Type 2 and Type 3
Push the “INFO” button to display the
“Information Menu” screen.
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Ty p e 1
27p149
Ty p e 2
26p027c
Ty p e 3
Trip information: The energy monitor and
fuel consumption screen are selected.
Telephone: Telephone screen is shown.
(See page 171 for details.)
Language: Select language screen is
shown.
Screen setting: The screen setting screen
is shown.

168
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. When the “Reset”
switch is touched or more than 10 L
(2.6 gal., 2.2 Imp.gal.) fuel is supplied,
the average fuel consumption is reset.
26P180
Steering switch operation
(Type 1 and Type 2)
The trip information screen appears direct-
ly by pressing the “INFO” button on the
right side of the steering pad. Each press
changes the “Energy Monitor” and “Con-
sumption” screens alternately.
27p154
Type 1 and Type 2
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Ty p e 3
—Language

317
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Break−in period 318
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. . . . . . .
Fuel 318
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Fuel pump shut −off systemm 320
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Operation in foreign countries 320
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Three −way catalytic converters 321
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Engine exhaust cautions 322
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Facts about engine oil consumption 322
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Coolant heat storage system 324
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Iridium −tipped spark plugs 324
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Brake system 325
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Electric power steering system 329
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 329
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Your Toyota’s identification 330
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Theft prevention labels 331
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. .
Suspension and chassis 331
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Tire information 332
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Vehicle load limits 342
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Cargo and luggage 342
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Types of tires 345
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SECTION 3

323

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 high −speed 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.
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L per 1000
km (1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 Imp.qt./600
miles)
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.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” on
page 400.

353
40p003b
Toyota does not recommend towing a
trailer with your Toyota. Toyota also
does not recommend the installation of
a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch
carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bi-
cycle, etc. Your Toyota is not designed
for trailer towing or for the use of tow
hitch mounted carriers.Improving fuel economy is easy
−just 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
405 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. Stop−and− go 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.
Trailer towing How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer, too