Page 77 of 552

771-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
There is an air intake vent on the
side of the lower part of the rear
left seat for the purpose of cooling
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery). If the vent becomes
blocked, the hybrid battery may
overheat, leading to a reduction in
hybrid battery output.
When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the
emergency shut off system blocks the high voltage current and stops
the fuel pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If
the emergency shut off system activates, your vehicle will not restart.
To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.
A message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs in
the hybrid system or an improper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on
the multi-information display, read
the message and follow the
instructions. (P. 449)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message
Page 499 of 552

4999-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
■Fuel tank opening for unleaded gasoline
To help prevent incorrect fueling, your vehicle has a fuel tank opening that
only accommodates the special nozzle on unleaded fuel pumps.
■ Gasoline quality
In very few cases, driveability problems may be caused by the brand of gaso-
line you are using. If driveability problems persist, try changing the brand of
gasoline. If this does not correct the problem, consult your Toyota dealer.
■ Gasoline quality standards
●Automotive manufacturers in the U.S.A., Europe and Japan have developed
a specification for fuel quality call ed the World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC),
which is expected to be applied worldwide.
● The WWFC consists of four categorie s that are based on required emission
levels. In the U.S., category 4 has been adopted.
● The WWFC improves air quality by lowering emissions in vehicle fleets, and
improves customer satisfaction through better performance.
■ Recommendation of the use of gaso line containing detergent additives
● Toyota recommends the use of gasoline that contains detergent additives to
avoid the build-up of engine deposits.
● All gasoline sold in the U.S.A. co ntains minimum detergent additives to
clean and/or keep clean intake systems, per EPA’s lowest additives concen-
tration program.
● Toyota strongly recommends the use of Top Tier Detergent Gasoline. For
more information on Top Tier Detergent Gasoline and a list of marketers,
please go to the official website www.toptiergas.com.
■ Recommendation of the use of cleaner burning gasoline
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformulated gasoline that contains oxy-
genates such as ethanol or MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) is available in
many areas.
Toyota recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and appropriately
blended reformulated gasoline. These ty pes of gasoline provide excellent
vehicle performance, reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.
Fuel infor mation
You must only use unleaded gasoline in your vehicle.
Select octane rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher.
Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane rating lower than 87
may result in engine knocking. Persistent knocking can lead to
engine damage.
At minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the specifications of
ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A..
Page 500 of 552

5009-1. Specifications
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)■
Non-recommendation of the use of blended gasoline
●If you use gasohol in your vehicle, be sure that it has an octane rating no
lower than 87.
● Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline containing methanol.
■ Non-recommendation of the use of gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel
containing MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely
affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this
happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service.
■ If your engine knocks
●Consult your Toyota dealer.
● You may occasionally notice light knocking for a short time while accelerat-
ing or driving uphill. This is nor mal and there is no need for concern.
●
Use only gasoline containing up to 15%
ethanol.
DO NOT use any flex-fuel or gasoline
that could contain more than 15% etha-
nol, including from any pump labeled
E30, E50, E85 (which are only some
examples of fuel containing more than
15% ethanol).
DO NOT use gasoline contain-
ing more than 15% ethanol.
(30% ethanol)
(50% ethanol)
(85% ethanol)