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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
Plug-in hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the following
points:
■Using EV mode and HV mode effectively
Primarily using EV mode when driving in cities and using HV
mode when driving on highways (or freeways) can help con-
serve fuel and electricity. (→P. 3 7 )
■Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, a 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 fuel and electricity economy. (→P. 2 4 7 )
■Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. (→P. 2 6 8 )
■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 high fuel and electricity 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 electricity and fuel consumption.
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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
■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 retained when slowing down.
Electricity consumption will increase substantially when driving
at high speeds in EV mode. If there will be a long distance to the
next external charging point after leaving a freeway, driving in
HV mode while on the freeway and in EV mode after leaving the
freeway is recommended.
■Air conditioning on/off
●Switch the air conditioning ( ) to off when it is not
needed. Doing so can help control excessive electricity and
fuel consumption.
In summer: In high temperatures, use the recirculated air
mode. Doing so will help to reduce the burden on the air con-
ditioner and reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasoline engine will not automatically
cut out until the gasoline engine and the interior of the vehicle
are warm, it will consume fuel. Also, fuel consumption can be
improved by avoiding overuse of the heater.
●For efficiency, use the Remote Air Conditioning System
before departing while the charging cable is connected.
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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
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Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
■Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently. If there
is improper tire inflation pressure in the tires, the driving range
when in EV mode will become shorter, and fuel consumption
when in HV mode will increase.
Also, as snow tires can cause large amounts of friction, their use
on dry roads can lead to increased fuel and electricity consump-
tion.
■Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage can require excessive energy. Avoid
leaving unnecessary luggage in the vehicle.
Also, equipping a large roof rack can cause excessive energy
consumption in the same way as carrying heavy luggage.
■Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically,
warming up is not necessary.
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1-2. Charging
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
Confirm that the charging indi-
cator is illuminated. (When the
charging timer function is in
use, the light will turn off sev-
eral seconds after illuminat-
ing.)
Charging will not start if the
charging indicator does not illu-
minate when the charging con-
nector is inserted. (→P. 9 9 )
The amount of time until charg-
ing is completed can be
checked on the energy monitor
by turning the “POWER” switch
to ON mode. (→P. 8 9 )
The error warning indicator of
the CCID (Charging Circuit
Interrupting Device) has illumi-
nated during charging:
→P. 1 0 2
The charging indicator will turn
off when charging is com-
pleted.
STEP7
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1-2. Charging
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Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
■Canceling the charging timer function
If the charging timer switch is
pressed while the charging timer
indicator is illuminated or flash-
ing, the charging timer function
will be canceled. Charging will
commence immediately if the
charging cable is connected to
the vehicle.
The charging timer indicator will
turn off if the charging timer func-
tion is canceled.
Displays shown on the multi-information display
Each type of information related to charging is displayed on the multi-
information display.
■Time until charging is complete
If the “POWER” switch is turned
to ON mode during charging, the
current charging status and the
amount of time needed until
charging is complete will be dis-
played on the energy monitor.
After confirming, switch the
“POWER” switch to OFF and turn
off the display. The “POWER”
switch will turn off automatically
after several tens of seconds.
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1-2. Charging
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■Charging messages
The first time the “POWER”
switch is turned to ON mode
after charging is completed, a
message detailing the results of
the charging will be displayed.
Also, if an operation which can-
not be carried out is attempted
during charging, a warning mes-
sage will be displayed.
(→P. 5 6 2 )
Comply with the instructions in
the message and carry out any
necessary operations.
The message may not be dis-
played if the Remote Air Condi-
tioning System (→P. 3 7 1 ) h a s
been used.
■Amount of time until charging is complete
Charging fully from an EV driving range of 0 mile (0 km) (→P. 5 8 ) w i l l t a k e
approximately 2.5 hours (AC120 V).
The amount of time until charging is complete will change in accordance with
the amount of charge remaining in the hybrid battery (traction battery), the
outside temperature, etc.
■During charging
●The surface of the CCID (Charging Circuit Interrupting Device) may
become hot, but this does not indicate a malfunction.
●Depending on radio wave conditions, interference may be heard on the
radio.
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1-2. Charging
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■Charging timer function (finish time setting mode)
●The finish time setting mode should only be used as a reference for the
time at which charging will finish.
Charging may not complete at the finish time depending on the effects of
the electricity supply, temperature etc. In this event, charging will continue
until completed.
●If the function detects that charging cannot be finished on time, charging
will start immediately, and will continue until fully charged.
■Charging indicator
●The charging indicator illuminates if the Remote Air Conditioning System
(→P. 3 7 1 ) i s u s e d d u r i n g c h a r g i n g o r w h i l e t h e c h a r g i n g c a b l e i s c o n -
nected.
●If a system malfunction occurs during charging or during Remote Air
Conditioning System use, the indicator will flash for approximately 10
seconds and then turn off.
■When the outside temperature is low or high
The level shown on the remaining charge display (→P. 60) may drop slightly
when the “POWER” switch is turned to ON mode, even if charging has been
completed and the hybrid battery (traction battery) is fully charged. However,
this does not indicate a malfunction.
■Using a DC Charger
DC Chargers cannot be used with this vehicle.
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1-2. Charging
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Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47787U_(U)
■Charging time may increase
In the following situations, charging time may become longer than normal:
●In very hot or very cold temperatures.
●The vehicle is consuming a lot of electricity, for example, when the head-
lights or emergency flashers switch is on.
●There is a power outage during charging.
●There is an interruption in the electrical supply.
●There is a drop in the voltage of your panel’s AC supply.
●The charge in the 12-volt battery is low, for example due to the vehicle
being left unused for a long period of time.
■Capacity reduction of the hybrid battery (traction battery)
The charge of the hybrid battery (traction battery) will decline gradually when
the hybrid battery (traction battery) is in use. The rate at which it declines will
differ in accordance with environmental conditions and the way in which the
vehicle is used. By observing the following precautions, battery charge
decline can be suppressed.
●Avoid parking the vehicle in areas with a high temperature under direct
sunlight when the hybrid battery (traction battery) is fully charged.
●Do not accelerate or decelerate frequently and suddenly when driving in
EV mode.
●Avoid frequent driving near the top speed for EV driving. (→P. 4 0 )
●Leave a low level of charge in the hybrid battery (traction battery) when
leaving the vehicle undriven for a long period of time.
After confirming that EV mode has switched to HV mode, turn the
“POWER” switch off.
●Use the charging timer function as much as possible in order to fully
charge the hybrid battery (traction battery) immediately before starting
off.
Also, if the hybrid battery (traction battery) capacity reduces, the EV driving
range decreases. However, vehicle performance does not significantly
become worse.