2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Owners Manual

33
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
■
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 R.
■ Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop
automatically in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
● During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
● During low or high hybrid battery (traction battery) temperature
● When the heater is switched on
■ Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
●As the gasoline engine 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 dis-
charge. 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.
■ During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor
(traction motor) charges the hybrid 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 braking)
The electric motor (traction mo tor) charges the hybrid battery
(traction battery).

34 1-1. Hybrid system
●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 to avoid discharging the battery.
● To help prevent the 12-volt battery from becoming discharged, drive the
vehicle at least once a month, and operate the accessories only when
the “READY” indicator is on. When parking the vehicle, make sure the
doors is closed and all lights are turned off.
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
P. 560
■ After the 12-volt battery has di scharged 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.
■ 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 shift the shift lever to P 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) under 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 hybrid transmission when the engine is
started or stopped, or while the engine is idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal
is depressed or accelerator is loosened.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vents under the rear
seat.

35
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
High voltage components
Take 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.
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and
disposal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
Air conditioning compressor
Power control unit and DC/
DC converter
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
Rear electric motor (traction
motor) Service plug
High voltage cables
Front electric motor (traction
motor), transaxle and motor
generator
Caution label

36 1-1. Hybrid system
■Hybrid battery air vents
There are air intake vents under
the second seats to cool the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
If the vents become 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 syste m activates, your vehicle will not
restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.
Energy monitor/consumption screen
You can view the status of your
hybrid system on the multi-infor-
mation display (P. 37) and the
navigation system screen ( P.
37, 39). The following images
are examples only, and may vary
slightly from actual conditions.

37
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
■
Energy monitor
●How to display on the navigation system screen (if equipped):
Press “INFO/PHONE”.
Touch “Fuel Consumption” on
the “Information” screen.
If the “Consumption” screen is
displayed, touch .
●How to display on the mu lti-information display:
Press the
“DISP” switch on the steering wheel several times to
select the energy monitor display.
STEP1
STEP2
Navigation system screenMulti-information display
When the vehi-
cle is powered
by the electric
motor (traction
motor)

38 1-1. Hybrid system
When the vehi-
cle is powered
by both the gas-
oline engine and
the electric
motor (traction
motor)
When the vehi-
cle is powered
by the gasoline
engine
When the vehi-
cle is charging
the hybrid bat-
tery (traction
battery)
When there is
no energy flow
Hybrid battery
(traction bat-
tery) statusLow
Full Low Full
Navigation system screenMulti-information
display

39
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
■
Consumption screen (navigation system only)
Press “INFO/PHONE”.
Touch “Fuel Consumption” on
the “Information” screen.
Regenerated energy in the
past 30 minutes
One symbol indicates 50 Wh.
Up to 4 symbols are shown.
Fuel consumption in the past
30 minutes
Cruising range
STEP1
STEP2
■Resetting the consumption data
Touching will reset the average fuel consumption.

40 1-1. Hybrid system
Hybrid warning messageA message is automatically displayed 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. 538)
■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.
■ When refueling, the fuel filler door may take a few moments to open
As part of emission system operation, it may take up to 10 seconds for the
fuel filler door to automatically rel ease after the opener switch is pressed.
Before refueling is possible, a message will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display. ( P. 1 1 8 )
■ 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 ( P. 531) go off. 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 2.5 gal. [9.8 L,
2.1 Imp. gal.], when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value may vary
when the vehicle is on a slope.)
■ If the master warning light comes on when the shift lever is in R
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and shift the shift lever out of R
to display the message.