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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
1Before driving
Information on the plug-in hybrid system and adjusting 
and operating features such as door locks, mirrors, and 
steering column
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information
3Interior 
features
Air conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in-
terior features for a comfortable driving experience
4Maintenance 
and care
Cleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information
5When trouble 
arises
What to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat 
tire, or is involved in an accident
6Ve h i c l e  
specificationsDetailed vehicle information
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt 
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this 
manual 
     
        
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PRIUS PHV_QG_OM47A73U_(U)
3. Basic operation
How to operate the Remote Air Conditioning System
■Activating the Remote Air Conditioning System
Press  and  hold  the    to
operate  the  Remote  Air  Condi-
tioning System.
The  system  will  shut  off  if  a  door
is opened.
The  system  can  be  stopped  by
pressing the   twice.
■Operating conditions
The system will only operate if all of the following conditions are met:
●The shift position is in P.
●The “POWER” switch is OFF.
●All doors are closed.
●The hood is closed.
●The brake pedal is not being depressed. 
     
        
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19
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Air conditioning system P. 364
Rear window and outside rear view 
mirror defoggers switch P. 381
D
EV/HV mode selection switch
P. 37
Emergency flasher switch P. 528
Shift lever P. 249
P position switch P. 252
 
: If equipped
Eco drive mode switch 
Power mode switch 
P. 251
P. 251 
     
        
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32
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system features
The  plug-in  hybrid  system  is  a  system  that  has  the  features  of  both
electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.
●Electricity  received  by  charging  from  an  external  power
source can be used, and the vehicle can also be driven as an
electric  vehicle  by  driving  over  certain  distances* using only
the electric motor (traction motor).
●If  the  amount  of  electricity remaining  in  the  hybrid  battery
(traction  battery)  becomes  low, the vehicle is automatically
controlled in such a way that it can be driven as a hybrid vehi-
cle through the joint use of the gasoline engine.
*: The driving range will vary in accordance with conditions such as vehi-
cle  speed,  the  amount  of  charge  remaining  in  the  hybrid  battery  (trac-
tion battery) and the usage of the air conditioning system. The gasoline
engine  may  also  be  used  simultaneously  in  accordance  with  driving
conditions.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (traction motor) 
     
        
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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift
position to P when parked.
The  following  sounds  or  vibrations  may  occur  when  the  hybrid  system  is
operating, and are not a malfunction.
●The  brake  system  operation  sound  heard  from  the  front  of  the  vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds  may  be  heard  from  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  behind
the rear seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Sounds  may  be  heard  from  the  transmission  when  the  gasoline  engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds  may  be  heard  due  to  regenerative  braking  when  you  press  the
brake pedal or release the accelerator pedal.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent. ( oP.   4 5 )
●The operation sound of the air conditioning system (air conditioning com-
pressor, blower motor). 
     
        
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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Plug-in hybrid system precautions
Ta k e   c a r e   w h e n   h a n d l i n g   t h e   h y b r i d system, as it contains a high
voltage  system  (about  650V  at maximum)  as  well  as  parts  that
become  extremely  hot  when  the  hybrid  system  is  operating.  Obey
the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
Service plug
Caution label
Power  control  unit  and  DC/
DC converter
Electric motor (traction motor)
Air conditioning compressor
High voltage cables (orange)
Battery charger
Hybrid  battery  (traction  bat-
tery)
Charging inlet 
     
        
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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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. ( oP.   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. ( oP.   2 5 1 )
■Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Eco-friendly  driving  is  possible by keeping the Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. ( oP.   2 7 3 )
■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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1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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.