2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS engine

213 2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
NOTICE
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
Engine stalling
Short in electrical components
Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional check the following:
Brake function
Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, transmission fluid for the
hybrid system, etc.
Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
If the P position control system is damaged by flooding, it may not be possi-
ble to shift the shift position to P, or from P to other positions. When the shift
position cannot be changed from P to any other position, the front wheels
will lock, and you will be unable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on
the ground, as the front wheels may be locked. In this case, transport the
vehicle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted.

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When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Check that the “READY” indicator is on.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid
light and the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting nor-
mally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if
the engine is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops auto-
matically in accordance with the state of the vehicle.)
Stopping the hybrid system
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. (P. 234)
Shift the shift position to P. (P. 227)
Check that the shift position indicator shows P. (P. 224)
Press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system will stop.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the indicator
on the “POWER” switch is off.
STEP 4
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

221
2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas late at night, or in
indoor parking lots etc. without concern for noises and exhaust gas
emissions.
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned
on, the EV drive mode indica-
tor will come on.
Pressing the switch when in
EV drive mode will return the
vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and elec-
tric motor [traction motor]).

222 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations.
*
If it cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver.
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.
The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 0
C (32F)
for a long period of time etc.
The gasoline engine is warming up.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
When the amount of remaining hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
displayed on the meter is low. (P. 236)
Vehicle speed is high.
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
The windshield defogger is in use.
*: Depending on the circumstances, EV drive mode may also not be
switched to in situations other than those above.
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm
up. In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.

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When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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 2 km (1.3 mile) if driving
at a speed of about 45 km/h (28 mph) 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 nor-
mal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]).
Driving 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.

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When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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

230 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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 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. 223
After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 415
Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 554)

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When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift the shift position suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
For the shift lever
Do not remove the shift lever knob or use anything but a genuine Toyota shift
lever knob. Also, do not hang anything on the shift lever.
Doing so could prevent the shift lever from returning to position, causing
unexpected accidents to occur when the vehicle is in motion.
P position switch
Do not press the P position switch while the vehicle is moving.
If the P position switch is pressed when driving at very low speeds (for
example, directly before stopping the vehicle), the vehicle may stop sud-
denly when the shift position switches to P, which could lead to an accident.