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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
•Engine oil
•Engine/power control unit coolant
•Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt
battery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
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2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
●Use tires of the size specified.
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
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3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
Defogging the windshield
Press .
The air conditioning system con-
trol operates automatically.
(The gasoline engine may oper-
ate during EV mode driving,
depending on vehicle conditions.)
Recirculated air mode will auto-
matically switch to outside air
mode.
Micro dust and pollen filter
Press .
Outside air mode switches to recirculated air mode. Pollen is removed
from the air and the air flows to the upper part of the body.
Usually the system will turn off automatically approximately 3 minutes
later.
To s t o p t h e o p e r a t i o n , p r e s s a g a i n .
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3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
■Window defogger feature
●Recirculated air mode may automatically switch to outside air mode in
situations where the windows need to be defogged.
●When the outside air temperature is low, it may take a while for the con-
densation to clear from the windshield.
●When is turned ON, the gasoline engine may operate depending
on driving conditions. After that, even if is turned OFF, the fan
does not stop and a state in which it is easy for the gasoline engine to
operate continues. After defogging the windows, press as neces-
sary to turn off the fan.
■When is selected for the air outlets used
For your driving comfort, air flowing to the feet may be warmer than air flow-
ing to the upper body depending on the temperature setting.
■Micro dust and pollen filter
●In order to prevent the windows from fogging up when the outside air is
cold, the following may occur.
•Outside air mode does not switch to recirculated air mode.
•The air conditioning system operates automatically.
•The operation cancels after 1 minute.
●In rainy weather, the windows may fog up. Press .
●Condensation may appear on the windows if this mode is used in abnor-
mally high levels of humidity.
●Pollen will be collected by the filter even when micro dust and pollen filter
mode is OFF.
■Maintenance of the air conditioning filter
The air conditioning filter must be cleaned or changed regularly to maintain
air conditioning efficiency according to the maintenance schedule. In dusty
areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, early replacement may be required.
(For scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Owner’s Manual Sup-
plement/ Scheduled Maintenance Guide”.)
When inspecting, cleaning and replacing the air conditioning filter, contact
your Toyota dealer.
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3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
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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 conditioning 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 i m p r o v e a i r c o n d i t i o n i n g p e r f o r m a n c e , p e r f o r m t h e f o l l o w i n g o p e r a t i o n s :
●Adjust the fan speed
●Turn off Eco drive mode (→P. 2 4 9 )
●Customize the air conditioning control of Eco drive mode. (→P. 6 4 3 )
■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 r e d u c e p o t e n t i a l o d o r s f r o m o c c u r r i n g :
•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. 6 4 3 )
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3-5. Other interior features
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
Safety information for Safety Connect
Important! Read this information before using Safety Connect.
■Exposure to radio frequency signals
The Safety Connect system installed in your vehicle is a low-power
radio transmitter and receiver. It receives and also sends out radio
frequency (RF) signals.
In August 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
adopted RF exposure guidelines with safety levels for mobile wire-
less phones. Those guidelines are consistent with the safety stan-
dards previously set by the following U.S. and international
standards bodies.
●ANSI (American National Standards Institute) C95.1 [1992]
●NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measure-
ment) Report 86 [1986]
●ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation
Protection) [1996]
Those standards were based on comprehensive and periodic eval-
uations of the relevant scientific literature. Over 120 scientists,
engineers, and physicians from universities, and government
health agencies and industries reviewed the available body of
research to develop the ANSI Standard (C95.1).
The design of Safety Connect complies with the FCC guidelines in
addition to those standards.
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4-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
■Note for a smart key system
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effec-
tive range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. Place the key in a posi-
tion 6 ft. (2 m) or more separate from the vehicle while the vehicle is being
washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
■Aluminum wheels
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use
hard brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical
cleaners.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
●Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
●Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
CAUTION
■When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
■While charging
Do not wash the vehicle.
Doing so may cause the electrical components to malfunction or catch fire
and also you may get an electric shock that may result in death or serious
injury.
■Precautions regarding the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.
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4-2. Maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
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Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible serious injury or death.
■Handling of the 12-volt battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
●12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your
hands after handling. (→P. 4 7 4 )