2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HV overheating

38 1-1. Hybrid system
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery air vent
●Do not place foreign objects over or in front of the air vent. The hybrid bat-
tery (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 as this may cause a short circuit and damage the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
● Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the
vehicle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
may be damaged.

156 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health
hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the hybrid system. In a
closed area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the
vehicle. This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust system should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or
crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise,
be sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this 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.

163
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Note for the entry function
P. 6 1
■ If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 108)
■ Steering lock
After turning the “POWER” switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
“POWER” switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period
of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. After about 10
seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When “CHECK SMAR T KEY SYSTEM” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set
in P. The hybrid system may not start if
the shift lever is displaced out of P.
“SHIFT TO P POSITION TO START”
will be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display.
“STEERING LOCK ACTIVE” will be dis-
played on the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the “POWER” switch while turning the
steering wheel left and right.

172
2-1. Driving procedures
Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. ( P. 225)
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.
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake
pedal with your left foot while
depressing the brake pedal
with your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
U.S.A. Canada

179
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
■
The brightness of the instrument panel lights
When the tail lights are turned on, the meter’s brightness will be reduced
slightly unless the meter brightness level adjustment is set to the brightest
setting.
If the tail lights are turned on when the surroundings are dark, the meter’s
brightness will reduce slightly. However, when the surroundings are bright,
such as during the daytime, the meter’s brightness will not be reduced even
if the tail lights are turned on.
■ Fuel gauge and odometer/trip meter display remain on mode
After the “POWER” switch has been turned off, the fuel gauge and odome-
ter/trip meter display remain on for 10 minutes, enabling the fuel gauge and
odometer/trip meter values to be checked again without having to turn the
“POWER” switch to ON mode.
When confirming the gauges and meters, turn the headlight switch to the
position. Press the display change button to change between the
odometer and trip meter displays.
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The engine may be overheating if the rightmost segment of the engine cool-
ant temperature display is flashing. In this case, immediately stop the vehicle
in a safe place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely.
(
P. 465)

211
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system 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 EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ If the slip indicator comes on...
It may indicate a malfunction in the TRAC, VSC and ABS. Contact your
Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■ABS does not operate effectively when
●Tires with inadequate gripping ability are used (such as excessively worn
tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick
road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situ-
ations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven surfaces
■ TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

306 3-5. Other interior features
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 physically chal-
lenged
• 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.
● Do not use the seat heater more than necessary. Doing so may cause
minor burns or overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent seat heater damage
Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do
not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Turn the seat heaters off when the hybrid system is off.

414 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Stop the vehicle immediately.The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.
Low engine oil pressure warning light Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.
High engine coolant temper ature warning light (the
rightmost segment of the engine coolant temperature
display flashes) Indicates that the engine is almost overheating. ( P. 465)
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system; or
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The hybrid transmission control system.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system; or
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system.