2009 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID overheating

33
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
NOTICE
■
Hybrid battery air vent
●Do not put foreign objects over the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat and be damaged.
● Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
● Do not wet the air vent. It may cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid
battery (traction battery).
● Do not load a large amount of water such as water cooler bottles into the
vehicle. If water spills over the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
may be damaged.

128 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident
or fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked
in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. Braking distance
increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of the vehicle
to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may not
securely hold the vehicle.
● If the electronically controlled brake system does not operate, do not fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require
braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
● The brake system consists of 3 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the others will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle if any hydraulic circuit has failed. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.

138
2-1. Driving procedures
Parking brake
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking
brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
U.S.A. Canada

141
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The gasoline engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature
gauge is in the red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place. Check the gasoline engine after it has cooled completely.
(
→P. 389)

159
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
When VSC and TRAC are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping or the front wheels spin, the
indicator flashes to indicate that
VSC/TRAC have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC is operating.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by ABS, brake assist, VSC and TRAC
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the hybrid
system is started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound
does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these sys-
tems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
■ Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The
steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from
excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off.
The system should return to normal within 10 minutes.

259
3-6. Other interior features
3
Interior features
Seat heaters (if equipped)
■The seat heaters can be used when
The “POWER” switch is in ON mode.
■ When not in use
Turn the seat heater off. The indicator light turns off.
CAUTION
■Burns
●Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat
heater on to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature
of the seat and may lead to overheating.
Heats the left front seat
Heats the right front seat
The indicator light comes on.

5
When trouble arises
389
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 plac e 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. Carefully lift the hood after the
steam subsides and then restart the hybrid system.
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 imme diately and call your Toyota
dealer.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating:
● “WATER TEMP” is shown on the 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
391
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.