2012 TOYOTA PRIUS fuel consumption

56
1-1. Hybrid system
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the
following points:
■Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the
accelerator pedal depression amount can be generated more
smoothly than it is in normal conditions. In addition, the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling) will be mini-
mized, improving th e fuel economy. (P. 204)
■ Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the indicate of Hybrid
System Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 225)
■ When braking the vehicle
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and in good time. A
greater amount of electrical energy can be retained when slow-
ing down.
■ Delays
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at
traffic lights, will lead to bad fuel consumption. Check traffic
reports before leaving and avoid delays as much as possible.
When encountering a delay, gently release the brake pedal to
allow the vehicle to move forward slightly while avoiding overuse
of the accelerator pedal. Doing so can help control excessive
gasoline consumption.
■ Highway driving
Control your speed and keep at a constant speed. Also, before
stopping at a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to release
the accelerator and gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of
electrical energy can be reta ined when slowing down.

57
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
■
Air conditioning on/off
Switch the air conditioning ( ) to off when it is not needed.
Doing so can help control excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: In high temperatures, use the recirculated air mode.
Doing so will help to reduce t he burden on the air conditioner
and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasoline engine will not automatically cut
out until the gasoline engine and the interior of the vehicle are
warm, it will consume fuel. Also, fuel consumption can be
improved by avoiding overuse of the heater.
■ Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently.
Improper tire inflation pressure can cause poor fuel consump-
tion.
Also, as snow tires can cause lar ge amounts of friction, their use
on dry roads can lead to poor fuel consumption. Use a tire that is
appropriate for the season.
■ Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage can lead to poor fuel consumption.
Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack
can also cause poor fuel consumption.
■ Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically
when cold, warming up the engine is unnecessary. Moreover,
frequently driving s hort distances will ca use the engine to
repeatedly warm up, which can lead to poor fuel consumption.

214
2-2.Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The units used on the display may differ depending on the target
region.
The following gauges and meters and display illuminate when the
“POWER” switch is in ON mode:
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Instantaneous fuel consumption
Displays the current rate of fuel consumption.
Shift position indicators
Displays the shift position.
Multi-information display
Presents the driver with a variety of driving-related data. ( P. 223)

223
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Multi-information display
The multi-information display presents the driver with a variety of
driving-related data, including the clock.
● Energy monitor ( P. 4 2 )
● Hybrid System Indicator ( P. 225)
● 5-minute/1-minute fu el consumption (P. 5 0 )
● Monthly fuel consumption record/eco savings record ( P. 5 3 )
● Odometer/trip meter/distance to empty ( P. 228)
● Clock ( P. 230)
● Calendar ( P. 230)
● Dynamic radar cruise control display (if equipped) ( P. 270)
● Lane-keeping assist display (if equipped) ( P. 286)
● Warning messages ( P. 507)

225
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Hybrid System Indicator
Hybrid System Indicator displays the hybrid system operating condi-
tion and provides Eco-friendly driving assistance in accordance with
the driving conditions and the acceleration.
■ Names and meaning of each icons
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) status (P. 4 8 )
EV indicator
The EV indicator comes on when
driving the vehicle using only the
electric motor (traction motor).
Eco Driving Indicator Light
Turns on when the vehicle is
driven in Eco-friendly.
Hybrid System Indicator
Refer to “Reading Hybrid System
Indicator” below.
Average speed*
Average fuel consumption/eco
savings
*
Use the displayed average fuel
consumption as a reference.
*: The current amount since the trip meter was reset will be displayed.
These functions can be reset by
pressing and holding the “TRIP”
button.
The display can be switched
between average fuel consump-
tion/average speed and eco sav-
ings. ( P. 232)

229
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
■
Display items
● Odometer
● Trip meter
● Distance to empty Displays the total distance the vehicle has been
driven.
Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven
since the meter was last reset. Trip meters A and
B can be used to record and display different dis-
tances independently.
Displays the estimate
d maximum distance that
can be driven with the quantity of fuel remaining.
• This distance is computed based on your average fuel consumption. As a result, the actual distance
that can be driven may differ from that displayed.
• When only a small amount of fuel is added to the tank, the display may not be updated.
When refueling, turn the “POWER” switch off. If the
vehicle is refueled without turning the “POWER”
switch off, the display may not be updated.

232 2-2. Instrument cluster
■Switching the fuel consumption display
Select “FUEL CONSU. DISP.”.
Press and hold the “DISP” button
to enter the setting mode.
Select “CONSUMP.” or “ECO
SAVINGS”.
Press and hold the “DISP” button
to finish setting.
STEP 1
STEP 2

240 2-2. Instrument cluster
■System check display
■ Ending display
P. 197
■ Eco Driving Indicator Light
Eco Driving Indicator Light will turn on when driving power is lower than the
upper limit of Eco driving. It will turn off when the acceleration exceeds the
Eco driving accelerator upper limit or when the vehicle is stopped.
Eco Driving Indicator Light will not operate in the following conditions:
●The shift position is anything other than D.
● The driving mode is set to power mode or EV drive mode. ( P. 199, 204)
● The vehicle speed is approximately 80 mph (130 km/h) or higher.
Eco Driving Indicator Light is also displayed when 5-minute consumption, 1-
minute consumption, monthly fuel cons umption record or eco savings record
is displayed.
Eco Driving Indicator Light can be set to activated or deactivated. ( P. 235)
After switching the “POWER” switch to
ON mode, “welcome to PRIUS” is dis-
played while system operation is
checked. When the system check is com-
plete, the normal screen will return.