2010 TOYOTA PRIUS fuel

33
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Hybrid battery air vent
There is an air intake vent on the
side of the rear right seatback for
the purpose of cooling the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If the
vent becomes blocked, the
hybrid battery may overheat,
leading to a reduction in hybrid
battery output.
Emergency shut off system
The emergency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current
and stops the fuel pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuel
leakage when a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sen-
sor. If the emergency shut off system activates, your vehicle will not
restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.

35
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
●
When the desired speed is reached
Release the accelerator pedal
once. Then, depress the acceler-
ator pedal slowly and drive at a
constant speed, keeping the indi-
cator bar within the Eco area.
When aiming to improve fuel
economy, try to drive within the
Hybrid Eco area. By doing so,
the drive force of the electric
motor (traction motor) will often
be used alone without the need
for fuel consumption, thus allow-
ing you to enjoy driving with
improved fuel economy.
■ Checking fuel consumption
The 5-minute/1-minute interval
fuel consumption display shows
the average fuel consumption
and the regenerated energy
amount in 5-minute or 1-minute
intervals. (P. 194)
Hybrid Eco area

36 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.The fuel consumption record dis-
play shows a history of the aver-
age fuel consumption in
sections, based on the driving
records of trip meters A and B.
Each section represents the
interval between each trip meter
reset. (
P. 197)
A record of the best consumption
is also kept on this screen. The
best consumption record is
updated whenever a higher
record is achieved.

37
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Hybrid warning message
A message is automatically displaye d when a malfunction occurs in
the hybrid system or an impr oper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on the multi-information display, read
the message and follow the instructions. ( P. 508)
■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” indicator does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be
started, refuel the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel
level warning light go off (
P. 499). If there is only a small amount of fuel,
the hybrid system may not be able to start. (The minimum amount of fuel to
add to make the low fuel level warning light go out is about 1.6 gal. [6.0 L,
1.3 Imp.gal.], when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value may vary
when the vehicle is on a slope.)
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life. The lifespan of
the hybrid battery (traction battery) can change in accordance with driving
style and driving conditions.

38 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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.
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Your vehicle contains a sealed nickel- 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. 32)
● 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.
●Never try to open the service plug
access hole located in the luggage
compartment. The service plug is used
only when the vehicle is serviced and is
subject to high voltage.
● Do not subject the service plug to
strong impacts. Also, avoid splashing
large amount of water onto the luggage
compartment, for example while in a
high-pressure car wash.

104
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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
Pull the lever.
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

105
1-6. Refueling
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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. (Octane Rating 87 [Research Octane Number 91] or
higher)
■ Fuel tank capacity
Approximately 11.9 gal. (45 L, 9.9 Imp. gal.)

106 1-6. Refueling
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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. Doing so may cause a fire or other incident which may result in
death or serious injury.