2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS overheating

48 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with front wheels raised. If the
wheels connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground
when towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may
cause a fire. (P. 461)
Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Your vehicle contains a sealed lithium-ion battery. If disposed of improperly,
it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe burns and
electrical shock that may result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vent
Do not put foreign objects near the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat and be damaged.
Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vent 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 any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.

211 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in
a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
When braking
When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
If the electronically controlled assist function does not operate, do not fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require
braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the others will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase. If this happens, do not continue to drive the vehicle. If the brake
system warning light (red indicator) comes on while driving, immediately
stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact any authorized Toyota dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.

234
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Parking brake
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
P. 469
Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. (P. 319)
NOTICE
Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake
pedal with your left foot while
depressing the brake pedal
with your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)

247 2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Engine speed
On hybrid vehicles, engine speed is precisely controlled in order to help
improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions etc.
There are times when the engine speed that is displayed may differ even
when vehicle operation and driving conditions are the same.
Brightness of the instrument cluster light
If the headlight switch is turned to ON while the surrounding area is dark, the
instrument cluster lights will dim.
When disconnecting and reconnecting 12-volt battery terminals
The average fuel consumption and cruising range will be reset.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The engine may be overheating if the high coolant temperature warning light
comes on or flashes. In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. (P. 528)
The trip information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal
information display. At extremely low temperatures, the information display
monitor may respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed.

301 2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur,
refrain from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid
system off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
P. 478
Operating conditions of emergency brake signal
When the following three conditions are met, the emergency brake signal
will operate:
The emergency flashers are off.
Actual vehicle speed is over 55 km/h (35 mph).
The brake pedal is depressed in a manner that cause the system to
judge from the vehicle deceleration that this is a sudden braking opera-
tion.
Automatic system cancelation of emergency brake signal
The emergency brake signal will turn off in any of the following situations:
The emergency flashers are turned on.
The brake pedal is released.
The system judges from the vehicle deceleration that is not a sudden
braking operation.

368 3-5. Other interior features
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
Burns
Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat
heater on to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically chal-
lenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature
of the seat and may lead to overheating.
Do not use the seat heater more than necessary. Doing so may cause
minor burns or overheating.
NOTICE
To prevent seat heater damage
Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do
not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Turn the seat heaters off when the hybrid system is off.

528
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
If your vehicle overheats
Correction procedures
If the high coolant temperature warning light comes on or
flashes
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition-
ing system, and then stop the hybrid system.
If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
The high coolant temperature warning light (P. 470) comes on
or flashes, or a loss of hybrid system power is experienced. (For
example, the vehicle speed does not increase.)
The hybrid system overheat warning light (P. 475) comes on.
Steam comes out from under the hood.
STEP 1
STEP 2

564 Alphabetical index
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Bluetooth®*
Bottle holders........................... 357
Brake
Fluid ...................................... 549
Parking brake ........................ 234
Brake assist.............................. 298
Break-in tips ............................. 203
Brightness control
Instrument cluster light
control ................................. 239
Camera
*
Care
Exterior.................................. 382
Interior ................................... 387
Seat belts .............................. 388
Cargo hooks ............................. 377
CD player
*
Chains ....................................... 321
Child restraint system
Baby seats, definition ............ 173
Baby seats, installation ......... 185
Child seats, definition ............ 173
Child seats,
installation........................... 185
Installing child restraint system
with ISOFIX rigid
anchors ............................... 191
Installing child restraint system
with seat belts ..................... 185
Installing child restraint system
with top strap ...................... 193
Junior seats, definition .......... 173
Junior seats,
installation........................... 185Child safety
Airbag precautions ................ 165
Back door precautions ............ 99
Child restraint system ........... 173
Child-protectors ...................... 95
How your child should wear
the seat belt ........................ 126
Installing
child restraints .................... 184
Panoramic roof
precautions ......................... 371
Power window lock switch .... 135
Power window precautions ... 138
Removed electronic key battery
precautions ......................... 432
Seat belt precautions ............ 127
Seat heater precautions........ 368
12-volt battery precautions ... 416
Child-protectors......................... 95
Cleaning
Exterior ................................. 382
Interior................................... 387
Seat belts .............................. 388
Clock ......................................... 364
Condenser ................................ 410
Console box ............................. 354
Cooling system
Engine overheating ............... 528
Hybrid system overheating ... 528
Cruise control
Cruise control........................ 275
Dynamic radar cruise
control................................. 280
Cup holders.............................. 355
Curtain shield airbags ............. 158
Customizable features ............ 554
C