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Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
■When continually using EV mode only
After driving for approximately 124 miles (200 km) with the gasoline engine
off, the gasoline engine may start for a short amount of time in order to pro-
tect the system.
■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.
■If the vehicle is not used for a long time
The 12-volt battery may discharge. In this event, charge the 12-volt battery.
(→P. 5 9 7 )
In order to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery) from becoming
extremely low in charge, start the hybrid system at least once every 2 or 3
months, and turn the “POWER” switch off after the gasoline engine has
stopped automatically. (If the gasoline engine does not start up even after
approximately 10 seconds have passed since the “READY” indicator came
on, the “POWER” switch can be turned to OFF without any further action.)
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PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
■Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on the hybrid vehicles incorporate electro-
magnetic shielding, and therefore emit approximately the same amount
of electromagnetic waves as conventional gasoline powered vehicles or
home electronic appliances.
●Yo u r v e h i c l e m a y c a u s e s o u n d i n t e r f e r e n c e i n s o m e t h i r d p a r t y - p r o d u c e d
radio parts.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) (lithium-ion battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) capacity (the ability to hold a charge)
reduces with time and use in the same way as other rechargeable batteries.
The extent at which capacity reduces changes drastically depending on the
environment (ambient temperature, etc.) and usage conditions, such as how
the vehicle is driven and how the hybrid battery (traction battery) is charged.
This is a natural characteristic of lithium-ion batteries, and is not a malfunc-
tion. Also, even though the distance that can be driven in EV mode
decreases when the hybrid battery (traction battery) capacity reduces, vehi-
cle performance does not significantly become worse.
In order to reduce the possibility of the capacity reducing, follow the direc-
tions listed on P. 97, “Capacity reduction of the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)”.
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Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(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 9 )
■Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. (→P. 2 7 0 )
■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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PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(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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PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(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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PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
EV driving range
The EV driving range displayed on the multi-information display
shows the approximate driving range in EV mode, and the actual dis-
tance that can be driven may differ from that displayed.
■Displayed value
The value displayed on the multi-information display is calcu-
lated from the following information.
●The amount of hybrid battery (traction battery) charge cur-
rently remaining
●The electricity consumption (the estimated distance that can
be driven in EV mode per unit of electrical energy) based on
the recorded value
●Air conditioning on/off
The electricity consumption varies depending on how the vehicle
is driven. The vehicle automatically records the electricity con-
sumption when being charged and uses the electricity consump-
tion for calculating the estimated EV driving range. Therefore,
the EV driving range displayed when the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is fully charged may differ from the previous EV driving
range depending on how the vehicle was driven.
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1-2. Charging
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(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. 1 0 3 )
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. 9 3 )
The error warning indicator of
the CCID (Charging Circuit
Interrupting Device) has illumi-
nated during charging:
→P. 1 0 6
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_OM47856U_(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.