2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
385
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■
Avoiding a discharged 12-volt battery
●Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the hybrid system is
turned off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is run-
ning at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic, etc.
■ When the 12-volt battery is removed or discharged
●The hybrid system may not start. ( P. 301)
● The tire pressure warning system must be initialized. ( P. 305)
Start the engine of the second vehicle. Increase the gaso-
line engine speed slightly and maintain at that level for
approximately 5 minutes to recharge the 12-volt battery of
your vehicle.
Open and close any of the doors with the “POWER” switch
OFF.
Maintain the engine speed of the second vehicle and turn
the “POWER” switch to ON mode, then start the hybrid sys-
tem.
Make sure the “READY” indicator comes on. If the indicator
does not comes on, contact your Toyota dealer.
Once the hybrid system has started, remove the jumper
cables in the exact reverse order in which they were con-
nected.
Once the hybrid system starts, have the vehicle checked at your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6

386 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Avoiding 12-volt battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flam-
mable gas that may be emitted from the 12-volt battery.
●Make sure each jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal.
● Do not allow the ends of the jumper cable used for the “+” terminals to
come into contact with any other parts or metal surface in the area, such
as brackets or unpainted metal.
● Do not allow the “+” and “-” terminals of the jumper cables to come into
contact with each other.
● Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette lighters or allow open flame near
the 12-volt battery.
■ 12-volt battery precautions
The 12-volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte,
while related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following
precautions when handling the 12-volt battery.
●When working with the 12-volt battery, always wear safety glasses and
take care not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with
skin, clothing or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the 12-volt battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the 12-volt battery support, termi-
nals, and other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the 12-volt battery.

5
When trouble arises
387
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NOTICE
■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
Do not pull- or push-start the vehicle.
This may cause serious damage to the hybrid system.
■ When handling jumper cables
Be careful that the jumper cables do not become tangled in the cooling fans
or any of the belts when connecting or disconnecting them.

388
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
Correction procedures■ If “WATER TEMP” is shown on the multi-information display
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition-
ing system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the hybrid system and carefully lift the hood.
If you do not see steam: Leave the hybrid system operating and carefully lift the
hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fans are operating: Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument cluster) begins to fall and then stop the hybrid
system.
If the fans are not operating: Stop the hybrid system immediately and call your Toyota
dealer.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating:
●“WATER TEMP” is shown on th e multi-information display:
The engine may be overheating.
● “HYBRID SYSTEM OVER HEAT” is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display:
The power control unit may be overheating.
Follow the correction procedure as described below.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

5
When trouble arises
389
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
After the hybrid system has
cooled down sufficiently, check
the engine coolant level and
inspect the radiator core (radia-
tor) for any leaks.
Add engine coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is unavail-
able.
(
P. 401)
■ If “HYBRID SYSTEM OVER HEAT” is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition-
ing system.
Leave the hybrid system operating and carefully lift the hood.
Check if the cooling fans are operating.
If the fans are operating: Wait until “HYBRID SYSTEM OVER HEAT” disappears and
then stop the hybrid system.
If the message does not disappe ar, call your Toyota dealer.
If the fans are not operating: Stop the hybrid system immediately and call your local
Toyota dealer.
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

390 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
After the hybrid system has
cooled down, check the power
control unit coolant level and
inspect the cooling system for
leaks.
Add power control unit coolant if
necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if power control unit cool-
ant is unavailable. (P. 401)
Have the vehicle checked at the nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
STEP4
STEP5
■ Overheating
The following symptoms may occur when your vehicle is overheating:
●Hybrid system output decreases.
● Steam is coming from the engine area.

5
When trouble arises
391
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■
To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
●With a hybrid vehicle, there are times when the gasoline engine automati-
cally starts to run or the cooling fans suddenly start to operate. Do not
touch or approach the rotating parts of the belt or fans. Doing so may lead
to fingers, clothes or tools getting caught, resulting in an accidental injury.
● Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the hybrid system and radia-
tor are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine/power control unit coolant
Wait until the hybrid system has cooled down before adding engine/power
control unit coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot hybrid sys-
tem too quickly can cause damage to the hybrid system.

392
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle becomes stuck
■Emergency hooks (if equipped)
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear, to avoid striki ng other vehicles, objects or persons.
The vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes
free. Use extreme caution.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt, or snow.
Stop the hybrid system. Set t he parking brake and put the
shift lever in P.
Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide
traction under the tires.
Restart the hybrid system.
Shift the shift lever to the D or R position and carefully apply
the accelerator to free the vehicle.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
When your vehicle becomes stuck and
cannot move, the emergency hooks are
used for another vehicle to pull your vehi-
cle out in an emergency.
Your vehicle is not designed to tow
another vehicle.