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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
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Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop
automatically in the following conditions
*:
● During gasoline engine warm-up
● When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or
low
● During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
● When the heater is switched on
*: Depending on the circumstances, the gasoline engine may also not stop
automatically in situations other than those above.
■ Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
●As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the
battery does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if
the vehicle is left parked for a long time the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) will slowly discharge. For this reason, be sure to drive the vehicle at
least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or 10 miles (16 km).
If the hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes fully discharged and you
are unable to jump-start the vehicle with the 12-volt battery, contact your
Toyota dealer.
● If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. Always shift the shift position in P when the vehicle is stopped.
When driving in heavy traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift position in
D or B to avoid discharging the hybrid battery (traction battery).
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
P. 553
■ After the 12-volt battery has di scharged or has been changed or
removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Toyota
dealer.
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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
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Air conditioning on/off
Switch the air conditioning ( ) to off when it is not needed.
Doing so can help control excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: In high temperatures, use the recirculated air mode.
Doing so will help to reduce t he burden on the air conditioner
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.
■ Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently.
Improper tire inflation pressure can cause poor fuel consump-
tion.
Also, as snow tires can cause lar ge amounts of friction, their use
on dry roads can lead to poor fuel consumption. Use a tire that is
appropriate for the season.
■ Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage can lead to poor fuel consumption.
Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack
can also cause poor fuel consumption.
■ Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically
when cold, warming up the engine is unnecessary. Moreover,
frequently driving s hort distances will ca use the engine to
repeatedly warm up, which can lead to poor fuel consumption.
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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
CAUTION
●
If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
■ When the vehicle is parked
●Make sure to firmly apply the parking brake and shift the shift position to P.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move, or the vehicle to acceler-
ate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed. Also, when
leaving the vehicle, make sure to turn off the hybrid system and lock the
vehicle.
Sound or shuddering may not be noticed even when the hybrid vehicle is
ready to drive (when the “READY” indicator is illuminated).
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
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202 2-1. Driving procedures
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■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 and a message will be shown
on the multi-information display.
●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 (0C)
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. 44)
● 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.
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220 2-2. Instrument cluster
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CAUTION
■To prevent an accident
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. 556)
Do not place anything or attach a sticker
in front of the instrument cluster. The item
may obscure or obstruct the display, or
could reflect off the display, possibly
causing an accident.Instrument cluster
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3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
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Interior features
■If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ 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. 206)
● Customize the air conditioning control of Eco drive mode. ( P. 596)
■ 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.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. enable/disable automatic operation of the air conditioning
compressor when the “AUTO” switch ON) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 596)
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426 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning off the hybrid system, wait more than 5 minutes
for the oil to drain back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Flat dipstick: Reinsert the dipstick fully. Non-flat dipstick: Reinsert the
dipstick fully with its protruding
areas ( in the illustration)
pointing towards the engine.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 4
STEP 5
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
■
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% cool- ant and 50% deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F
[-35 C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% cool- ant 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 radiator, 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 system.
CAUTION
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the engine/power control unit coolant reservoir caps.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.