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3. Basic operation
PRIUS PHV_QG_OM47866U_(U)
How to operate the power (ignition) switch
■Starting the hybrid system
Check that the charging cable is disconnected.
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Check that the “POWER” switch indicator turns green. If the indica-
tor does not turn green, the hybrid system cannot be started.
When the shift position is N, the hybrid system cannot start. Shift the
shift position to P when starting the hybrid system.
Press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system can be started
from any “POWER” switch mode.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the hybrid system is
completely started.
Check that the “READY” indicator is on.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a solid light
and the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if the
engine is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops automatically
in accordance with the state of the vehicle.)
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
■When in EV mode
Driving using only the electric motor (traction motor) is possible
(excluding certain situations, such as when accelerating sud-
denly), but if the amount of charge remaining in the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) becomes low, EV mode will be canceled.
In order to prolong EV mode driving, observe the following:
●Check the EV driving range using the energy monitor or
Hybrid System Indicator.
●Avoid sudden acceleration and sudden deceleration, and be
sure to drive smoothly.
If you repeatedly accelerate, the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charge will deplete quickly. Also, the gasoline engine will
start, depending on acceleration or the vehicle speed.
●Restrain your speed as much as possible. The distance that
can be driven in EV mode will reduce considerably at high
speeds.
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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
■HV mode
If only a little electricity is remain-
ing in the hybrid battery (traction
battery) and the vehicle cannot
be driven using the electric
motor (traction motor) only, the
electric motor (traction motor)
and the gasoline engine will be
used together.
The Hybrid System Indicator can
be used to check which mode
the plug-in hybrid system is cur-
rently being driven in.
The EV drive mode indicator ( ) will illuminate when your vehicle
is in EV mode, and will turn off if HV mode is switched to.
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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
■Refilling fuel
Plug-in hybrid vehicles can be driven using electricity charged from an exter-
nal power source, however the gasoline engine that is provided on board as
a power source for driving in HV mode needs to be filled with fuel. Check the
fuel amount and refill immediately when the fuel level becomes low.
(→P. 1 7 8 )
■Gasoline engine operation in EV mode
Even if there is a sufficient amount of electricity remaining in the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) and EV driving range (→P. 5 8 , 2 7 0 ) i s b e i n g d i s p l a y e d
on the multi-information display etc., the gasoline engine may operate auto-
matically in the following circumstances (EV driving will be returned to auto-
matically after EV driving becomes possible again):
●When the heater etc. is in use.
●When 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.
●When the temperature of the hybrid system is low.
●When power is needed temporarily, for example when accelerating sud-
denly.
●When vehicle speed is more than approximately 62 mph (100 km/h).
●When the accelerator pedal is depressed firmly, the vehicle is driven up a
hill, etc.
●When the outside temperature is low (less than about 14 °F [-10 °C])
The gasoline engine may also operate in circumstances other than those
listed above, depending on conditions.
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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
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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2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
2
When driving
CAUTION
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the back door is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehi-
cle can cause driver drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a
serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
●Do not shift the shift position to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
●Do not shift the shift position to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
●Do not shift the shift position to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
●Moving the shift position to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage
the hybrid system. Engine braking is not available with the hybrid system
disengaged.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid
system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more
difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: →P. 6 1 0
●Use engine braking (shift position B instead of shift position D) to maintain
a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (→P. 2 4 7 )
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2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
CAUTION
●Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents,
resulting in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
●Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shift changing, or changes in
engine speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the
brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
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2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47856U_(U)
CAUTION
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the vehicle is in any shift position other than P or N, the vehicle may
accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the “READY” indicator is on. Apply the
parking brake as necessary.
●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.