2012 TOYOTA PRIUS fuel

201
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically
restart in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer
will sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
● Vehicle speed becomes high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, it is possible to drive up to about 1.3 mile (2 km) if driving
at a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or less. (The distance that is possible
depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving conditions.)
■ Changing a driving mode when in EV drive mode
EV drive mode can be used in conjunction with Eco drive mode and power
mode.
However, EV drive mode may be automatically canceled when used in con-
junction with power mode.
■ Fuel economy
PRIUS is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driv-
ing in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
CAUTION
■While driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the
vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicy-
cles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle
starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

203
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Shift position indicator
The position of the frame on the shift position indicator changes in
accordance with the current shift position.
When any shift position other than D or B is selected, the arrow toward
B and B position indicator disappear from the shift position indicator.
When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift position has
been changed to the desired position by checking the shift position indica-
tor provided on the instrument cluster.
■ Shift position purpose
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should usu-
ally be used.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
BApplying moderate engine braking when driving down hills or on steep slopes

204 2-1. Driving procedures
■Selecting a driving mode
The following modes can be selected to suit driving conditions:
Eco drive mode
Suitable for improving the fuel economy, because the torque corre-
sponding to the accelerator pedal depression amount can be gener-
ated more smoothly than it is in normal conditions and the operation of
the air conditioning system (heating/cooling) will be minimized.
When the “ECO MODE” switch is pressed, the “ECO MODE” indicator
comes on.
Power mode
Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable, such as
when driving in mountainous r egions or when overtaking.
When the power mode switch is pressed, the power mode indicator
comes on.

206 2-1. Driving procedures
■Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency. ( P. 204) To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ For the shift positions
●When the “POWER” switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.
● When the “POWER” switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not oper-
ating), the shift position can only be changed to N. The shift position will
be changed to N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and held in that
position.
● When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be changed
from P to D, N or R.
● When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cannot be
changed from P to another position even if the shift lever is operated.
Wait until the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing to a solid light,
and then operate the shift lever again.
● The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.
In addition, if an attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the
shift lever in any of the following situations, the buzzer will sound and the
shifting operation will be disabled or the shift position will automatically
change to N. When this happens, select an appropriate shift position.
● Situations where the shifting operation will be disabled:
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another
position by moving the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P or N to B by moving the shift lever.

208 2-1. Driving procedures
■About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pedal will apply
engine braking.
●When the vehicle is driven at high speeds, compared to ordinary gaso-
line-fueled vehicles, the engine braking deceleration is felt less than that
of other vehicles.
● The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is selected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel efficiency will
become low. Usually, shift the shift position to D.
■ When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated
Even if switching the driving mode to power mode with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or
radar cruise control will not be canceled.
■ When canceling Eco drive mode/power mode
●Press the switch again. Also, power mode will be canceled automatically
when the “POWER” switch is turned off. However, Eco drive mode will
not be canceled automatically until the switch is pressed, even if the
“POWER” switch is turned off.
● When in Eco drive mode, if the power mode switch is pressed or the
operation is reversed, the mode will switch to that of the last switch to be
pressed.
■ Switching the drive mode when in EV drive mode
P. 201
■ After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 433

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)