2012 TOYOTA PRIUS engine

564 6-1. Specifications
■Engine oil selection
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in your Toyota vehicle. Use
Toyota approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to satisfy
the following grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil
Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20
SAE 0W-20 is the good choice
for good fuel economy and good
starting in cold weather.
If SAE 0W-20 is not available,
SAE 5W-20 oil may be used.
However, it must be replaced
with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil
change.
Oil viscosity (0W-20 is explained here as an example):
• The 0W in 0W-20 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allowscold startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier
starting of the engine in cold weather.
• The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when
the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a
higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high
speeds, or under extreme load conditions.
Outside temperature

566 6-1. Specifications
Cooling system
Ignition system
Capacity
Gasoline
engine
Without an exhaust heat recovery system
6.9 qt. (6.5 L, 5.7 Imp.qt.)
With an exhaust heat recovery system
7.6 qt. (7.2 L, 6.3 Imp.qt.)
Power
control
unit2.2 qt. (2.1 L, 1.8 Imp.qt.)
Coolant type Use either of the following:
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
• Similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based non- silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technol-
ogy
Do not use plain water alone.
Spark plug
Make DENSO SC20HR11
Gap 0.043 in. (1.1 mm)
NOTICE
■Iridium-tipped spark plugs
Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs. Do not adjust the spark plug gap.

571
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
Fuel infor mation
■Fuel tank opening fo r unleaded gasoline
To help prevent incorrect fueling, your vehicle has a fuel tank opening that
only accommodates the special nozzle on unleaded fuel pumps.
■ Gasoline quality
In very few cases, driveability problems may be caused by the brand of gas-
oline you are using. If driveability problems persist, try changing the brand of
gasoline. If this does not correct the problem, consult your Toyota dealer.
You must only use unleaded gasoline in your vehicle.
Select octane rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. Use
of unleaded gasoline with an octane rating lower than 87 may result
in engine knocking. Persistent kno cking can lead to engine damage.
At minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the specifications
of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB3.5-M93 in Canada.

572 6-1. Specifications
■Gasoline quality standards
●Automotive manufacturers in the U.S.A., Europe and Japan have devel-
oped a specification for fuel quality called the World-Wide Fuel Charter
(WWFC), which is expected to be applied worldwide.
● The WWFC consists of four categories that are based on required emis-
sion levels. In the U.S., category 4 has been adopted.
● The WWFC improves air quality by lowering emissions in vehicle fleets,
and improves customer satisfaction through better performance.
■ Recommendation of the use of gaso line containing detergent additives
● Toyota recommends the use of gasoline that contains detergent additives
to avoid the build-up of engine deposits.
● All gasoline sold in the U.S.A. contains detergent additives to clean and/
or keep clean intake systems.
■ Recommendation of the use of cleaner burning gasoline
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformulated gasoline that contains oxy-
genates such as ethanol or MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) is available in
many areas.
Toyota recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and appropriately
blended reformulated gasoline. These types of gasoline provide excellent
vehicle performance, reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.

573
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
■
Non-recommendation of the use of blended gasoline
●If you use gasohol in your vehicle, be sure that it has an octane rating no
lower than 87.
● Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline containing methanol.
■ Non-recommendation of the use of gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methyl-
cyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel
containing MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely
affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If
this happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service.
■ If your engine knocks
●Consult your Toyota dealer.
● You may occasionally notice light knocking for a short time while acceler-
ating or driving uphill. This is normal and there is no need for concern.
●Use only gasoline containing a maxi-
mum of 10% ethanol.
DO NOT use any flex-fuel or gasoline
that could contain more than 10% etha-
nol, including from any pump labeled
E15, E30, E50, E85 (which are only
some examples of fuel containing more
than 10% ethanol).DO NOT use gasoline
containing more than
10% ethanol.
(15% ethanol)
(50% ethanol)
(85% ethanol)

574 6-1. Specifications
NOTICE
■Notice on fuel quality
●Do not use improper fuels. If improper fuels are used, the engine will be
damaged.
● Do not use leaded gasoline.
Leaded gasoline can cause damage to your vehicle’s three-way catalytic
converters causing the emission control system to malfunction.
● Do not use gasohol other than the type previously stated.
Other gasohol may cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance
problems.
● Using unleaded gasoline with an octane number or rating lower than the
level previously stated will cause persistent heavy knocking.
At worst, this will lead to engine damage.
■ Fuel-related poor driveability
If poor driveability is encountered after using a different type of fuel (poor hot
starting, vaporization, engine knocking, etc.), discontinue the use of that type
of fuel.
■ When refueling with gasohol
Take care not to spill gasohol. It can damage your vehicle’s paint.

582 6-1. Specifications
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation pres-
sure Tire pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for three hours or more, or has not
been driven more than 1 mile or 1.5 km under
that condition
Maximum inflation
pressure The maximum cold inflated
pressure to which a
tire may be inflated, s hown on the sidewall of
the tire
Recommended infla-
tion pressure Cold tire inflation pressure recommended by a
manufacturer
Accessory weight The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard items which may be replaced) of auto-
matic transmission, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, radio
and heater, to the extent that these items are
available as factory-installed equipment
(whether installed or not)
Curb weight The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment, including the maximum capacity of
fuel, oil and coolant, and if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight optional
engine
Maximum loaded vehi-
cle weight The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight

620 Alphabetical index
Child safetyAirbag precautions ................148
Back door precautions ............95
Child restraint system............ 160
Child-protectors .......................88
How your child should wear
the seat belt ........................ 111
Installing child restraints ........ 165
Power window lock switch..... 123
Power window precautions ... 125
Removed electronic key battery
precautions ......................... 455
Seat belt extender precautions ......................... 116
Seat belt precautions ............ 112
Seat heater precautions ........ 370
12-volt battery precautions .... 434
Child-protectors .........................88
Cleaning Exterior .................................. 396
Interior ................................... 399
Seat belts .............................. 400
Clock ......................................... 230
Condenser ................................ 426
Console box ............................. 359
Cooling system
Engine overheating ............... 549
Hybrid system overheating.... 549
Cruise control
Cruise control ........................ 266
Dynamic radar cruise control ................................. 270
Cup holders .............................. 360
Curtain shield airbags ............. 140
Customizable features............. 590 Daytime running light
system .................................... 253
Deck board ............................... 374
Defogger Rear window ......................... 346
Side mirrors........................... 346
Dimensions .............................. 560
Dinghy towing .......................... 323
Display Dynamic radar cruise control ................................. 270
Multi-information ................... 223
Warning messages ............... 507
Do-it-yourself maintenance .... 410
Door lock
Back door ................................ 93
Side doors ............................... 87
Smart key system .. ................. 61
Wireless remote control .......... 85
Doors
Back door ................................ 93
Door glasses ......................... 123
Door lock ..................... 61, 85, 87
Rear door child-protector ........ 88
Side doors ............................... 87
Driver’s seat belt reminder
light ......................................... 498
Driving Break-in tips .......................... 181
Correct posture ..................... 138
Procedures............................ 180
Winter driving tips ................. 317D