21
■EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas late at night, or in indoor parking lots etc.
without concern for noises and exhaust gas emissions.
Tu r n s E V d r i v e m o d e o n /o f f
When EV drive mode is turned on, the
EV drive mode indicator will come on.
Pressing the switch when in EV drive
mode will return the vehicle to normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and
electric motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it cannot be
turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play.
• Engine coolant temperature is low.
• Vehicle speed is about 19mph (30km/h) or more.
• The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
An “Energy Monitor” display of level 3 or lower may indicate a low battery level.
• The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
• The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32°F (0°C) for a long
period of time etc.
• The gasoline engine is warming up.
• The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
• The windshield defogger is in use.
