2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PHV battery

5
When trouble arises
549
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Warning messageDetails
(Flashes)
(If equipped) Indicates a malfunction in the radar cruise control sys-
tem.
A buzzer also sounds.
Press the “ON-OFF” button once to deactivate the
system, and then press the button again to reacti-
vate the system.
Hybrid battery (traction battery) inspection or replace-
ment time. Have the hybrid battery (traction battery) inspected
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Hybrid system restarting will soon be disabled. A buzzer also sounds.
If you continue to use the vehicle in this state, you
will soon become unable to restart the hybrid sys-
tem. Have the hybrid battery (traction battery)
inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Indicates that restarting of the hybrid system is not
possible. Contact your Toyota dealer immediately.

5
When trouble arises
553
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Warning messageDetailsCorrection
procedure
(Flashes) The hybrid battery (traction
battery) is low.
A buzzer also sounds. When stopping the
vehicle for a long
period of time, shift
the shift position to
P. The hybrid bat-
tery (traction bat-
tery) cannot be
charged with the
shift position in N.
(Flashes) The hybrid battery (traction
battery) power has dropped
because a long period of time
has elapsed after shifting the
shift position to N.
A buzzer also sounds. Restart the hybrid
system when start-
ing the vehicle.
(Flashes) The transmission is out of P
when attempting to start the
hybrid system.
Shift the shift posi-
tion to P before
pressing the
“POWER” switch.
(Flashes) The driver’s door is opened
when the shift position is in N,
D or B with the hybrid system
on.
Shift the shift posi-
tion to P.

554 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
*1: For EV mode operating conditions, see P. 40.
*2: If EV mode has been canceled because of insufficient hybrid battery (trac-tion battery) charge, a warning message will not be shown on the multi-
information display and the buzzer will not sound.
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
(Flashes) Indicates that the accelerator
pedal is depressed while the
shift position is in N.
A buzzer also sounds. Release the accel-
erator pedal and
shift the shift posi-
tion to D or R.
(Flashes) The accelerator pedal is
depressed to stop the vehicle
on an upward slope etc.
A buzzer also sounds.
If this continues, the hybrid
system may overheat. Release the accel-
erator pedal and
depress the brake
pedal.
EV mode cannot be switched
to.
*1
A buzzer also sounds.
The reason why EV mode
cannot be used is shown
(may not be shown in some
instances.) Use the EV mode
when it becomes
available.
*2
(Flashes
3 times)EV mode has been automati-
cally canceled.
*1
A buzzer also sounds.*2
The reason why EV mode
cannot be used is shown.
Use EV mode after
making it avail-
able, for example
by lowering the set
temperature of the
heater.

560 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Contin-
uous Contin-
uous
(Displayed alternately) (Flashes) An open door
other than the
driver’s door is
closed while the
electronic key is
outside the
detection range
and the
“POWER”
switch is in
ACCESSORY
or ON mode
with the shift
position not in P.
• Shift the
shift posi-
tion to P.
• Confirm the loca-
tion of the
electronic
key.
Once 
(Comes on for 15 seconds.)
The electronic
key battery is
low. Replace
the bat-
tery.
(
P. 493)
Once 
(Flashes)An open door
has been
closed and the
“POWER”
switch has been
turned twice to
the ACCES-
SORY mode
from OFF. Press the
“POWER”
switch
while
applying
the
brakes.

5
When trouble arises
561
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Interior
buzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Once 
(Flashes)The elec-
tronic key
does not
operate
properly.
P. 591
 Power
was
turned off
due to
the auto-
matic
power off
function.Next time when
starting the
hybrid system,
increase the
engine speed
slightly and
maintain that
level for approxi-
mately 5 min-
utes to charge
the battery.
NOTICE
■
While the engine oil level warning is displayed
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will damage the engine.
■ Engine oil maintenance message
The warning message is based on the projected driving range after engine
oil maintenance message is reset.
The system does not monitor the purity of the engine oil.

564 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
MessageDetailsCorrection procedure
Charging has been
stopped because of the
high energy consumption
of electrical compo-
nents, such as the head-
lights. Switch the electrical
appliance OFF, and
restart charging by fol-
lowing the procedure on
P. 80.
If the message is still
displayed, the 12-volt
battery may have a low
charge.
In this event, turn the
“POWER” switch OFF
approximately 15 min-
utes after starting the
hybrid system, and
restart charging.
Charging has been
stopped because of
extremely low voltage,
possibly caused by the
plug not being inserted
correctly. Check that the plug is
inserted correctly, and
restart charging by fol-
lowing the procedure on
P. 80.
Check that the plug is
not connected to a
power strip and that an
extension cord, multi-
outlet etc. is not being
used.

5
When trouble arises
565
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
MessageDetailsCorrection
procedure
Charging has been
stopped because of a
problem with the charg-
ing cable. If the charging cable is
not a genuine Toyota
product, or if you are
charging using a charg-
ing station (other than a
Toyota dealer), try charg-
ing with a genuine Toyota
charging cable.
If the message is still
displayed, contact your
Toyota dealer.
Charging has stopped
because of the continued
high temperature of the
hybrid battery (traction
battery) (in order to pro-
tect the battery). If the desired charge
level has not been
achieved, restart charg-
ing by following the pro-
cedure on P. 80 after the
hybrid battery (traction
battery) has cooled
down.

588
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
If the hybrid system will not start
Reasons for the hybrid system not starting vary depending on the
situation. Check the following a nd perform the appropriate proce-
dure:
■ The hybrid system will not start even though the correct
starting procedure is being followed ( P. 238)
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● The charging cable may be attached to the vehicle. ( P. 91)
● The electronic key may not be functioning properly.
*
(  P. 591)
● There may not be sufficient fuel in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle.
● There may be a malfunction in the immobilizer system.
*
(  P. 179)
● There may be a malfunction in the P position control system.
*
( P. 243, 548)
*: It may not be possible to shift the shift position from P to another
position.
■ The interior lights and headlight s are dim, or the horn does
not sound or sounds at a low volume
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● The 12-volt battery may be discharged. ( P. 594)
● The 12-volt battery terminal c onnections may be loose or cor-
roded.