2008 TOYOTA PRIUS fuel

31
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Hybrid warning message
A message is automatically displa yed when a malfunction occurs in
the hybrid system or an impr oper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown
on the touch screen, read the
message and follow the instruc-
tions.
■Resetting the consumption data
Touching or
will reset the “Average fuel consumption”.
■If a warning light comes on or a wa rning message is displayed, or the
12 volt battery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In that case, try to start the system again. If
the “READY” light does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.

32 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■High voltage precautions
The vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12 volt sys-
tem. DC and AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe burns
and electric shock that may result in death or serious injury.
● Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts,
cables and their connectors.
● The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high
voltage. Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and
always obey the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
● Never try to open the service plug access hole located in the luggage com-
partment. The service plug is used only when the vehicle is serviced and is
subject to high voltage.
■ Nickel-metal hydride battery
Your vehicle contains a sealed nicke l-metal hydride battery. If disposed of
improperly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe
burns and electrical shock that may result in death or serious injury.
■ Emergency shut off system
● Carefully check to see if there are exposed high voltage parts or cables.
Never touch the parts or cables. (
P. 26)
● Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.

78
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
1-6. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap
Perform the following steps to open the fuel tank cap.
■Before refueling the vehicle
Turn the “POWER” switch OFF and ensure that all the doors and
windows are closed.
■ Opening the fuel tank cap
Open the fuel filler door.
To remove the fuel tank cap,
turn the cap slowly counter-
clockwise, then pause slightly
before removing it.
Hang the fuel tank cap on the
back of the fuel filler door.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

79
1-6. Refueling
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Closing the fuel tank cap
After refueling, turn the fuel tank
cap clockwise until you hear a
click. The cap will revolve slightly
in the opposite direction once
released.
■ Fuel types
Use unleaded gasoline. (87 Octane Rating [Research Octane Number 91] or
higher)
■ Fuel tank capacity
Approximately 11.9 gal. (45 L, 9.9 Imp. gal.)

80 1-6. Refueling
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CAUTION
■When refueling the vehicle
Observe the following precautions while refueling the vehicle. Failure to do
so, may result in death or serious injury.
● Touch the vehicle or some other metal surface to discharge any static
electricity.
Sparks resulting from discharging static electricity may cause the fuel
vapors to ignite.
● Always hold the grips on the fuel tank cap and turn it slowly to remove it.
A whooshing sound may be heard when the fuel tank cap is loosened.
Wait until the sound cannot be heard before fully removing the cap. In hot
weather, pressurized fuel may spray out the filler neck and cause injury.
● Do not allow anyone that has not discharged static electricity from their
bodies to come close to an open fuel tank.
● Do not inhale vaporized fuel.
Fuel contains substances that are harmful if inhaled.
● Do not smoke while refueling the vehicle.
Doing so may cause the fuel to ignite and cause a fire.
● Do not return to the vehicle or touch any person or object that is statically
charged.
This may cause static electricity to build up, resulting in a possible ignition
hazard.
■ When replacing the fuel tank cap
Do not use anything but a genuine Toyota fuel tank cap designed for your
vehicle. Failure to do so may cause a fire or other incident which may result
in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■Refueling
Do not spill fuel during refueling.
Failing to do so may damage the vehicle, such as causing the exhaust sys-
tems to operate abnormally or damaging fuel system components or the
vehicle’s painted surface.

121
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Driving in the rain
● Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observe:
● For the first 180 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■ Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P. 464)
■ For efficient use
● Put the shift lever into “D” when driving
In the “N” position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be
generated.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) will be discharged requiring unnec-
essary engine power to recharge.
● Drive your vehicle smoothly
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and
deceleration will make more effective use of the traction motor without
having to use gasoline engine power.

122 2-1. Driving procedures
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●Avoid repeated acceleration
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving
with the accelerator pedal slightly released.
● Push the “P” position switch when parking
In the “N” position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge.
Leaving the shift lever in the “N” position for an extended period of the
time may discharge the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot run if the
hybrid battery is discharged.
■ Normal characteristics after turning off the hybrid system
Approximately five hours after the hybrid system is turned off, you may hear
sound coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is because
the fuel evaporation leakage check is performed. It does not indicate a mal-
function.

138 2-1. Driving procedures
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■Using engine brake
To use the engine braking, shift the shift lever to “B” position.
● During high speed driving, you may feel that deceleration by engine brak-
ing is less than that of a typical vehicle.
● Do not continue normal driving with the transmission in “B” for a long
time.
This may cause decreased fuel economy. To prevent this, use “D” for
normal driving.
■ Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into “R”, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
lever is in “R”.
■ If the system malfunctions
The following conditions, there is some problem in the system.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
● The indicator on the “P” position switch flashes. However, this does not
indicate a malfunction unless a warning message appears in the touch
screen.
● All frames of shift position indicators in the instrument cluster flash.
● The parking system error message appears on the touch screen.
● The instrument cluster and touch screen does not come on when the
“POWER” switch is in ON mode.