2010 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual

25
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Symbols used throughout this manual
Cautions & Notices
Symbols used in illustrations
CAUTION
This is a warning against anything which may cause injury to people if the
warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must or must not do in
order to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others.
NOTICE
This is a warning against anything which may cause damage to the vehicle or
its equipment if the warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must
or must not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of damage to your Toyota
and its equipment.
Safety symbol
The symbol of a circle with a slash through it means “Do not”, “Do
not do this”, or “Do not let this happen”.
Arrows indicating operations
Indicates the action (pushing, turning,
etc.) used to operate switches and
other devices.
Indicates the outcome of an operation
(e.g. a lid opens).
ITOPP105

26
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.

Before driving1
27
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
1-1. Hybrid systemHybrid system .................... 28
1-2. Key information Keys ................................... 41
Smart key system (with entry function) ......... 43
Smart key system  (without entry function) .... 57
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors and back door
Wireless remote control ..... 63
Side doors .......................... 67
Back door ........................... 72
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering
wheel)
Front seats ......................... 78
Rear seats.......................... 80
Head restraints................... 82
Seat belts ........................... 85
Steering wheel ................... 92
Inside rear view mirror ....... 93
Outside rear view mirrors ... 96 1-5. Opening and closing the

windows and moon roof
Power windows .................. 98
Moonroof with Solar 
Panel.............................. 100
1-6. Refueling Opening the fuel tank 
cap ................................. 104
1-7. Theft deterrent system Immobilizer system .......... 108
Theft prevention labels 
(U.S.A.) .......................... 110
1-8. Safety information Correct driving posture..... 111
SRS airbags ..................... 113
Front passenger occupant 
classification system ...... 126
Child restraint systems..... 132
Installing child 
restraints ........................ 137

28
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
1-1. Hybrid system
Hybrid system
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from
conventional vehicles. Be sure you are closely familiar with the char-
acteristics of your vehicle, and operate with care.
The hybrid system combines a gasoline engine and an electric
motor (traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving
fuel efficiency and reducing exhaust emissions.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (Traction motor)

29
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Regenerative braking
The motor generator converts kinetic energy to electric energy when:
● The accelerator pedal is released.
● The brake pedal is depressed with the shift lever in “D” or “B”.
■ When stopped/during take-off
The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped. During
take-off, the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehicle. At
slow speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine
is stopped and the motor is used.
■ During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor
(traction motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) as
necessary.
■ When accelerating sharply
The power of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is added via
electric motor (traction motor) to that of the gasoline engine.
■ When braking (Regenerative brake)
The electric motor (traction motor) charges the hybrid battery
(traction battery).

30 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, the followings
are examples of conditions under which the engine may not stop automati-
cally:
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is being charged.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) temperature is low or high.
● The temperature setting of the air conditioning system is high.
■ Charging the battery
● As the gasoline engine or regenerative brake charges the hybrid battery
(traction battery), the battery does not need to be charged from an
outside source. However, if the vehicle is left parked for a long time the
hybrid battery will slowly discharge. For this reason, be sure to drive \
the
vehicle at least once every several months for at least 30 minutes or 10
miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and you are
unable to jump-start the vehicle with the 12 volt battery, contact your
Toyota dealer.
● If the shift lever is in “N”, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. When driving in heavy traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift
lever in “D” or “B” to avoid discharging the battery.
■ After the 12 volt battery has disch arged or has been changed or
removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Toyota
dealer.

31
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. Always push the “P” position switch when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating, and are not a malfunction.
● Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind
the rear seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is
open.
● Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the gasoline engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative brake when you press the
brake pedal or release the accelerator pedal.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● You may hear cooling fan sounds coming from the air intake vents behind
the rear seat.
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

32 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
High voltage componentsTake care when handling the hybrid sy stem, as it contains a high volt-
age system (about 650 V at maximum) as well as parts that become
extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the caution
labels attached to the vehicle. Air conditioning compressor
High voltage cables (orange
color)
Power control unit and DC/
DC converter
Caution label
Service plug
Hybrid battery (Traction bat-
tery)
Electric motor (Traction
motor)
ITO11P104