2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN Owners Manual

34
PLUG-IN QG_U (OM47747U)
4. Things you must know
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and
deceleration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift position in D
or B.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift position in D or
B.
■Gasoline engine operation in EV mode
Even if there is a sufficient amount of electricity remaining in the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) and EV driving range is being displayed, the gasoline
engine may operate automatically in the following circumstances (EV driving
will be returned to automatically after EV driving becomes possible again):
●When the heater etc. is in use.
●When the temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high
speeds, etc.
●When the temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32 °F (0 °C)
for a long period of time etc.
●When power is needed temporarily, for example when accelerating sud-
denly.
●When vehicle speed is more than approximately 62 mph (100 km/h).
●When the accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill
etc.
●When the outside temperature is low (less than 14 °F [-10 °C])
The gasoline engine may also operate in circumstances other than those
listed above, depending on conditions.

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4. Things you must know
PLUG-IN QG_U (OM47747U)
■When continually using EV mode only
After driving for approximately 124 miles (200 km) with the gasoline engine
off, the gasoline engine may start for a short amount of time in order to pro-
tect the system.
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop
automatically in the following conditions*:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or
low
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the heater is switched on
*:Depending on the circumstances, the gasoline engine may also not stop
automatically in situations other than those above.
CAUTION
■While driving
Because there is no engine noise when the vehicle is being driven using the
electric motor, pedestrians in the vicinity may not notice the vehicle. Even
though the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle proximity notification system,
drive with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not notice the vehicle if
the surrounding area is noisy.

36
4. Things you must know
PLUG-IN QG_U (OM47747U)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents
●Do not put foreign objects near the air vents. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat, leading to a reduction in hybrid battery (traction
battery) output or a malfunction.
●Clean the air vents regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
●Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vents as this may
cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).
●Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the
vehicle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
may be damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
●If the rear seat belt becomes separated from the guide, it could obstruct
the hybrid battery (traction battery) air vent. Set the rear seat belt into the
guide to use.
There are air intake vents on the side of
the rear right seatback and on the front
corner of the left rear seat cushion for the
purpose of cooling the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If the vents become
blocked, the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) may overheat, leading to a reduction
in hybrid battery (traction battery) output.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
1Before driving
Information on the plug-in hybrid system and adjusting
and operating features such as door locks, mirrors, and
steering column
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information
3Interior
features
Air conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in-
terior features for a comfortable driving experience
4Maintenance
and care
Cleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information
5When trouble
arises
What to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident
6Ve h i c l e
specificationsDetailed vehicle information
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual

8
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Fuel filler door P. 174
Pictorial indexExterior
Fog lights∗ P. 298
Daytime running lights (for Canada)
and headlights
Parking lights
Front side marker lights
P. 292, 295
P. 292
P. 292
Hood P. 442
Windshield wipers P. 300Outside rear view mirrors
P. 169
Front turn signal lights P. 254
Daytime running lights
(for the U.S.A.) P. 295

9
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Tires
●Rotation
●Replacement
●Inflation pressure
●Information
P. 476
P. 448
P. 619
P. 625
Rear side marker lights P. 292
Side doors P. 134
Tail lights P. 292
∗:If equipped
*:Refer to “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual” or “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.
Rear turn signal lights P. 254
License plate lights P. 292
Camera*
Back door P. 140
Rear window wiper∗ P. 304
Rear window defoggers P. 375
Charging port P. 73

10
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Floor mat P. 401
Pictorial indexInterior
SRS side airbags P. 184
SRS front passenger airbag
P. 184
Front seats P. 146
Rear seats P. 149
Glove boxes P. 386
Head restraints P. 152
Seat belts P. 156
Armrest∗ P. 399
Cup holders∗ P. 388

11
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
A
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror
Garage door opener switches∗
P. 166
P. 407
Sun visors P. 392
SRS curtain shield airbags P. 184
Rear interior light P. 384
Vanity mirrors P. 393
Front interior/personal lights P. 383
∗:If equipped
*:Refer to “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual” or “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.
Microphone* P. 415
“SOS” button∗
Auxiliary box
P. 415
P. 391
Assist grips P. 400