Page 78 of 552

781-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
■If a warning light comes on, a warning message is displayed, or the 12-
volt battery has been disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In this case, try to start the system again. If
the “READY” indicator does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be started,
refuel the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel level
warning light ( P. 443) go off. If there is only a small amount of fuel, the
hybrid system may not be able to start. (The standard amount of fuel is about
1.3 gal. [5.0 L, 1.1 Imp. gal.] when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value
may vary when the vehicle is on a slope. Add extra fuel when the vehicle is
inclined.)
■ Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on hybrid vehicles incorporate electromag-
netic shielding, and therefore emit approximately the same amount of elec-
tromagnetic waves as conventional gasoline powered vehicles or home
electronic appliances.
● Your vehicle may cause sound interference in some third party-produced
radio parts.
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life. The lifespan of
the hybrid battery (traction battery) can change in accordance with driving
style and driving conditions.
Page 79 of 552
791-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
WARNING
■High voltage and high temperature precautions
This vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12-volt sys-
tem. DC and AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe
burns and electric shock that may result in death or serious injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts,
cables or their connectors.
● The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high
voltage. Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and
always obey the warning labels attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug
access hole located under the rear seat.
The service plug is used only when the
vehicle is serviced and is subject to high
voltage.
Page 80 of 552

801-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
WARNING
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious
injury:
●Pull your vehicle off the road, apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever
to P, and turn the hybrid system off.
● Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables or connectors.
● If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric
shock may occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
● If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch the fluid as it may be strong alkaline
electrolyte from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact
with your skin or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water
or, if possible, boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
● If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even
a small amount of water may be dangerous.
● If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the front wheels raised. If the
wheels connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground
when towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may
cause a fire. ( P. 433)
● Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.
Page 81 of 552

811-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
WARNING
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
●Never resell, hand over or modify the hybrid battery. To prevent accidents,
hybrid batteries that have been removed from a disposed vehicle are col-
lected through Toyota dealer. Do not dispose of the battery yourself.
Unless the battery is properly collected, the following may occur, resulting
in death or serious injury:
• The hybrid battery may be illegally disposed of or dumped, and it is haz-
ardous to the environment or someone may touch a high voltage part,
resulting in an electric shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to be used exclusively with your hybrid vehicle. If the hybrid battery is used outside of your vehicle or modified
in any way, accidents such as electric shock, heat generation, smoke
generation, an explosion and electrolyte leakage may occur.
When reselling or handing over your vehicle, the possibility of an accident
is extremely high because the person receiving the vehicle may not be
aware of these dangers.
● If your vehicle is disposed of without the hybrid battery having been
removed, there is a danger of serious electric shock if high voltage parts,
cables and their connectors are touched. In the event that your vehicle
must be disposed of, the hybrid battery must be disposed of by your
Toyota dealer or a qualified service shop. If the hybrid battery is not dis-
posed of properly, it may cause electric shock that can result in death or
serious injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
●Do not place objects that will block the air intake vent. The hybrid battery
(traction battery) may overheat and be damaged.
● Clean the air intake vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction
battery) from overheating.
● Do not get water or foreign materials in the air intake vent as this may
cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).
● Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the
vehicle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
may be damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Page 82 of 552

82
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
1-3. Theft deterrent system
Vehicles without a smart key system
The indicator light flashes after
the key has been removed from
the engine switch to indicate that
the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing
after the registered key has been
inserted into the engine switch to
indicate that the system has been
canceled.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The indicator light flashes after the “POWER” switch has been turned
off to indicate that the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing after the “POWER” switch has been
turned to ACCESSORY or ON mode to indicate that the system has
been canceled.
■ System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type immobilizer system.
■ Conditions affecting operation
Depending on the surrounding environment and conditions, the immobilizer
system may not operate properly. This may prevent the hybrid system from
starting. ( P. 140)
Immobilizer system
The vehicle’s keys have built-in transponder chips that prevent
the hybrid system from starting if a key has not been previously
registered in the vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehi-
cle.
This system is designed to help prevent vehicle theft but does
not guarantee absolute security against all vehicle thefts.
: If equipped
Page 88 of 552
882. Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
*: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position(vehicles without a smart key system) or the “POWER” switch is turned to
ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system) to indicate that a system
check is being performed. They will turn off after the hybrid system is on, or
after a few seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if the lights
do not come on, or turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
Page 89 of 552

892. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the vehicle’s
various systems.
*1: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position(vehicles without a smart key system) or the “POWER” switch is turned to
ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system) to indicate that a system
check is being performed. They will turn off after the hybrid system is on, or
after a few seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if the lights
do not come on, or turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
*2: The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
Indicators
Turn signal indicator
(P. 199) EV drive mode indicator
(
P. 193)
Headlight high beam
indicator (P. 201)
Shift position indicator
( P. 197)
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
(P. 201) “ECO MODE” indicator
(
P. 197)
(Canada)
Tail light indicator
(P. 201)EV drive indicator lamp
( P. 73)
(if equipped)
Front fog light indicator
(P. 205)
(if equipped)
Cruise control indicator
( P. 218)
(if equipped)
Immobilizer system indi-
cator ( P. 82)
(if equipped)
Cruise control set indica-
tor (P. 218)
*1, 2
Slip indicator ( P. 233)
“READY” indicator
( P. 182, 186)
*1VSC OFF indicator
( P. 233)
SRS airbag
on-off indica-
tor ( P. 5 0 )*1
Page 90 of 552
902. Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
WARNING
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS or SRS warning light not
come on when you start the hybrid system, this could mean that these sys-
tems are not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result
in death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately if this occurs.