2014 TOYOTA PRIUS C Cooling system

28 1-1. Hybrid system
■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
lever to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind
the rear seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is
open.
● 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.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent on the side of
the lower part of the rear left seat.
■ Vehicle Proximity Notification System
In the following cases, the Vehicle Proximity Notification System sound may
be difficult for pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and vehi-
cles in the surrounding area to hear:
●When there is a lot of noise in the vicinity
● When it is raining or during strong winds
● When in the area surrounding the rear of the vehicle, rather than in front
of the vehicle
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e. g. the volume of Vehicle Proximity Notification System sound)
can be changed. (Customizable features: P. 522)

176 2-1. Driving procedures
■Shift position purpose
*: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the D
position for normal driving.
■ Selecting Eco drive mode
Suitable for enhancing the fuel economy, because the torque
corresponding to the accelerator pedal depression amount can
be generated more smoothly than it is in normal conditions and
the operation of the air condition ing system (heating/cooling) will
be minimized.
Eco drive mode
When Eco drive mode is
turned on, the “ECO MODE”
indicator will come on.
Pressing the “ECO MODE”
switch again turns Eco drive
mode off.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
BPosition for engine braking

177
2-1. Driving procedures
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. 244) To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the temperature setting or fan speed, or
turn off Eco drive mode.
■ When in heavy traffic
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid putting the shift
lever in N for an extended period of time.
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 477
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.

238
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.
Temperature control dial
“OFF” buttonTemperature display
Fan speed display
Air outlet display
Cooling and dehumidification
function on/off button
Windshield
defogger button
Automatic mode button Fan speed control button
Air outlet selector button Outside/recirculated
air mode button

244 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
In Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to pri-
oritize fuel efficiency:
● Heating/cooling capacity is restricted.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on
the temperature setting or the inside temperature.
● Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following operations:
● Adjust the fan speed or the temperature setting
● Turn off Eco drive mode
■ Using automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically according to the temperature setting
and the ambient conditions.
Therefore, the fan may stop for a while until warm or cool air is ready to flow
immediately after is pressed.
■ Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the
windshield effectively.
● If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.

245
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
■Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the
outside/recirculated air mode button to the recirculated air mode. This is
effective in preventing outside air from entering the vehicle interior. Dur-
ing cooling operation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the
vehicle interior effectively.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on
the temperature setting or the inside temperature.
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75 F (24C) and the air condi-
tioning system is on
● In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condi-
tioning system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This
may also reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key sys-
tem) or the “POWER” switch is turned to ON mode (vehicles with a smart
key system).
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing
.
■ When the outside temperature falls to nearly 32 F (0 C)
The 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.

362 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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
●Vehicles without a smart key system: Make sure that the engine switch is
in the “LOCK” position and the “READY” indicator is off.
Vehicles with a smart key system: 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 and engine
drive belt.
● 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 cooling fan or radiator grille
Vehicles without a smart key system: The electric cooling fan may keep
rotating for about 3 minutes even after the engine switch is turned to the
“LOCK” position.
With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric cooling fan may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. Be sure the engine switch is in the “LOCK” position when
working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The electric cooling fan may keep rotating
for about 3 minutes even after the “POWER” switch is off.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fan may automat-
ically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. Be sure the “POWER” switch is off when working near the electric
cooling fan or radiator grille.

374 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiators, hoses, engine/power control unit coolant reser-
voir caps, drain cock and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling systems.
CAUTION
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant radiator cap and power control unit cool-
ant reservoir cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor stra ight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.