2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V battery

183
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
2
When driving
■
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 32
F (0C)
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. 197)
● 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.

184 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■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 1.3 mile (2 km) \
if driving
at a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) 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 v 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.

190 2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
●Situations where the shift position will automatically change to N:
• When the P position switch is pressed while the vehicle is running.
*1
• When an attempt is made to select the R position by moving the shift
lever when the vehicle is moving forward.
*2
• When an attempt is made to select the D position by moving the shiftlever when the vehicle is moving in reverse.
*3
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from R to B bymoving the shift lever.
*1: Shift position may be changed to P when driving at extremely lowspeeds.
*2: Shift position may be changed to R when driving at low speeds.
*3: Shift position may be changed to D when driving at low speeds.
■ Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
position is in R.
■ When the accelerator pedal is depressed while the shift position is in N
A buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift position is in N.
■ Automatically P position selection function
When the shift position is in a position other than P, pressing the “POWER”
switch with the vehicle stopped completely will cause the shift position to
change to P automatically, and then the “POWER” switch will turn off.
■ If the shift position cannot be shifted from P
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery is discharged. Check the 12-volt
battery in this situation. ( P. 481)

191
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
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When driving
■
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. 184
■ After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
 P. 386
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 525)

193
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
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When driving
NOTICE
■
Hybrid battery (tract ion battery) charge
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid leaving the N
position selected for an extended period of time.
■ Situations where P position contro l system malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs, P position control system malfunc-
tions are possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, apply the park-
ing brake, and then contact your Toyota dealer.
● When the “P LOCK MALFUNCTION WHEN PARKING, PARK IN FLAT
PLACE AND APPLY PARKING BRAKE SECURELY” warning message
appears on the instrument cluster. ( P. 448)
● When the parking lock system warning light is illuminated.
● When everything except the shift position indicator selection frame is illu-
minated.
● When the shift position indicator remains off.
■ Notes regarding shift lever an d P position switch operation
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift lever and P position switch in quick suc-
cession.
The system protection function may activate and it will not be temporarily
possible to shift the shift position other than P. If this happens, please wait
for a while before attempting to change the shift position again.

197
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
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When driving
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The units used on the trip information display etc. may differ
depending on the target region.
The following gauges and meters and display illuminate when the
“POWER” switch is in ON mode:
Hybrid System Indicator
Hybrid System Indicator represents the hybrid system power output
and regenerative charging.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Shift position indicators
Displays the shift position.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Hybrid battery (traction battery) status
The amount of charge remaining in the hybrid battery (traction battery)
is shown by 8 bars.

206 2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
Press and hold the “DISP” button for 1 second or more to
complete the setup.
If setup is not completed by pressing and holding the “DISP” button
for 1 second or more, or if nothing is operated within approximately
10 seconds, the screen will return and the settings will be lost.
■Eco Driving Indicator Light
Eco Driving Indicator Light will turn on when driving power is lower than the
upper limit of Eco driving. It will turn off when the acceleration exceeds the
Eco driving accelerator upper limit or when the vehicle is stopped.
Eco Driving Indicator Light will not operate in the following conditions:
● The shift position is anything other than D.
● The driving mode is set to power mode or EV drive mode. ( P. 187)
● The vehicle speed is approximately 80 mph (130 km/h) or higher.
Eco Driving Indicator Light can be set to activated or deactivated.
( P. 205)
■ Remaining hybrid battery (traction battery) charge display
The charge amount of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is automatically
controlled by the hybrid system. For this reason, even if electricity is recov-
ered via the regenerative braking, or electricity is generated via the gasoline
engine, the displayed hybrid battery (traction battery) charge amount may
not reach the highest level (level 8). However, this does not indicate a mal-
function.
STEP 3

207
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
2
When driving
■
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 panel light
If the headlight switch is turned to ON while the surrounding area is dark, the
instrument panel lights will dim.
■ When disconnecting and reconnect ing 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. 487)
■ The trip information disp lay 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.