2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V cooling

34 1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift
position to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating and are not a malfunction:
● The brake system operation sound heard from the front of the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) when the
hybrid system starts or stops.
● Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the gasoline engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal
is depressed and accelerator is loosened.
● Other sounds, such as motors and mechanical noises, may be heard
from the brake system when the brake pedal is depressed.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent. (
P. 37)
● The operation sound of the air conditioning system (air conditioning com-
pressor, blower motor).

37
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vent
There is an air intake vent under
the rear seat for the purpose of
cooling the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery). If the vent becomes
blocked, the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) may overheat, lead-
ing to a reduction in hybrid
battery (traction battery) output.
Emergency shut off system When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the
emergency shut off syst em blocks off the high voltage current and
stops the fuel pump to minimize t he risk of electrocution and fuel
leakage. If the emergency shut off sy stem activates, your vehicle will
not restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.

52
1-1. Hybrid system
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the following
points:
■ Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the
accelerator pedal depression amount can be generated more
smoothly than it is in normal conditions. In addition, the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling) will be mini-
mized, improving th e fuel economy. (P. 187)
■ Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the indicate of Hybrid
System Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 203)
■ When braking the vehicle
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and in good time. A
greater amount of electrical energy can be retained when slow-
ing down.
■ Delays
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at
traffic lights, will lead to bad fuel consumption. Check traffic
reports before leaving and avoid delays as much as possible.
When encountering a delay, gently release the brake pedal to
allow the vehicle to move forward slightly while avoiding overuse
of the accelerator pedal. Doing so can help control excessive
gasoline consumption.
■ Highway driving
Control your speed and keep at a constant speed. Also, before
stopping at a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to release
the accelerator and gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of
electrical energy can be reta ined when slowing down.

189
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
2
When driving
■
Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency. ( P. 187) To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ For the shift positions
● When the “POWER” switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.
● When the “POWER” switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not oper-
ating), the shift position can only be changed to N. The shift position will
be changed to N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and held in that
position.
● When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be changed
from P to D, N or R.
● When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cannot be
changed from P to another position even if the shift lever is operated.
Wait until the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing to a solid light,
and then operate the shift lever again.
● The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.
In addition, if an attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the
shift lever in any of the following situations, the buzzer will sound and the
shifting operation will be disabled or the shift position will automatically
change to N. When this happens, select an appropriate shift position.
● Situations where the shifting operation will be disabled:
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another
position by moving the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P or N to B by moving the shift lever.

280
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system
Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted according to the
temperature setting.
“OFF” button
Fan speed display
Micro dust and
pollen filter button
Cooling and
dehumidification
function on/off
button
Outside/recirculated
air mode button
Outside
temperature
display
Windshield
defogger
button
Air outlet display
Temperature setting display
Automatic mode Function select Adjust/select

291
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
3
Interior features
■Outside temperature display
In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be dis-
played, or the display may take longer than normal to change.
● When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 16 mph [25 km/h])
● When the outside temperature has changed suddenly (at the entrance/
exit of a garage, tunnel, etc.)
■ Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
In the Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to
prioritize fuel efficiency:
● Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/
cooling capacity
● Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following operations:
● Adjust the fan speed
● Turn off Eco drive mode ( P. 187)
● Customize the air conditioning control of Eco drive mode. ( P. 529)
■ When outside air temperature is below 32 F (0 C)
The cooling and dehumidification function may not operate even when
is pressed.
■ Air conditioning odors
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter
into and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause
odor to be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic
mode.

365
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■
When working on the engine compartment
● Make sure that the indicator on the “POWER” switch and the “READY”
indicator are both off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust
manifold, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids
may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes
are flammable.
■ When working near the electric c ooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the “POWER” switch is off.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. ( P. 379)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also, a backfire could cause a fire in the engine com-
partment.

372
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS v_U (OM47784U)
Engine compar tment
■12-volt battery
 P. 384
Engine coolant reservoir
( P. 377)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 373)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 373)
Power control unit coolant
reservoir ( P. 377)Brake fluid reservoir
( P. 380)
Fuse box ( P. 410)
Radiator ( P. 379)
Condenser ( P. 379)
Electric cooling fans
Washer fluid tank ( P. 382)