2012 TOYOTA PRIUS cooling

34 1-1. Hybrid system
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift
position to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating and are not a malfunction:
●The brake system operation sound heard from the front of the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) when the
hybrid system starts or stops.
● Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the gasoline engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal
is depressed and accelerator is loosened.
● Other sounds, such as motors and mechanical noises, may be heard
from the brake system when the brake pedal is depressed.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent. (
P. 37)
● The operation sound of the air conditioning system (air conditioning com-
pressor, blower motor).

37
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vent
There is an air intake vent on the
right side of the rear seatback for
the purpose of cooling the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If the
vent becomes blocked, the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
may overheat, leading to a
reduction in hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) output.
Emergency shut off system When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the
emergency shut off syst em blocks off the high voltage current and
stops the fuel pump to minimize t he risk of electrocution and fuel
leakage. If the emergency shut off sy stem activates, your vehicle will
not restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.
Hybrid warning message
A message is automatically displa yed 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. 507)

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.

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.

326
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Air conditioning system
Airflow and outlets are automatically adjusted according to the tem-
perature setting.
Temperature
control button
Temperature
setting displayAir outlet
display
Fan speed
display Windshield
defogger button
Off
Automatic
mode Outside air or
recirculated
air mode
Changes the
air outlets used
Fan speed
control buttonOutside temperature display ( P. 366)
Micro dust and
pollen filter
Cooling and dehumidification
function ON/OFF switch

327
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
Using the automatic mode
Press .
The air conditioning system will begin to operate. Air outlets and fan
speed are automatically adjusted according to the temperature set-
ting.
Press “▲” to increase the temperature and “ ▼” to decrease
the temperature on the .
Adjusting the settings
■ Changing the cooling and dehumidification function
Press .
The cooling and dehumidification function switches between on and off
each time the button is pressed.
■Adjusting the temperature setting
Press “ ▲” to increases the temperature and “ ▼” to decreases the
temperature on the .
■ Adjusting the fan speed
Press  (increase) or  (decrease) on .
The fan speed is shown on the display. (7 levels)
Press to turn the fan off.
STEP 1
STEP 2

335
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
■If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
In the Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to
prioritize fuel efficiency:
● Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/
cooling capacity
● Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following operations:
● Adjust the fan speed
● Turn off Eco drive mode ( P. 204)
● Customize the air conditioning control of Eco drive mode. ( P. 590)
■ When outside air temperature is below 32 °F (0 °C)
The cooling and dehumidification function may not operate even when
is pressed.
■ Air conditioning odors
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter
into and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause
odor to be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic
mode.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. enable/disable automatic operation of the air conditioning
compressor when the “AUTO” switch ON) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 590)