
51
1-1. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents
●Do not put foreign objects near the air vents. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat, leading to a reduction in hybrid battery (traction
battery) output or a malfunction.
●Clean the air vents regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
●Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vents 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.
●If the rear seat belt becomes separated from the guide ( oP. 1 5 4 ) , i t c o u l d
obstruct the hybrid battery (traction battery) air vent. Set the rear seat belt
into the guide to use.
■Notice about fuel
For plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel may remain in the tank for a long time and
undergo changes in quality depending on the how the vehicle is used.
Refuel at least 5.3 gal.(20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.) of fuel every 6 months (refuel a
total of at least 5.3 gal. [20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.] over a 6-month period), as this
may affect components of the fuel system or the gasoline engine.

233
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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: oP. 6 1 5
●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. ( oP. 2 4 9 )

236
2-1. Driving procedures
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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.

266
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
CAUTION
■To p r e v e n t a n a c c i d e n t
NOTICE
■To p r e v e n t d a m a g e t o t h e e n g i n e a n d i ts c o m p o n e n ts
The engine may be overheating if the high coolant temperature warning light
comes on or flashes. In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( oP. 6 0 7 )
Do not place anything or attach a sticker
in front of the instrument cluster. The item
may obscure or obstruct the display, or
could reflect off the display, possibly
causing an accident.
Instrument cluster

335
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
2
When driving
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC and
TRAC
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the hybrid
system is started, just after the vehicle begins to move, if the brake pedal
is depressed forcefully or repeatedly, or 1-2 minutes after the hybrid sys-
tem is stopped. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
•Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
•A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
•The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
•The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may
be heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur,
refrain from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid
system off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
oP. 5 4 4

678
Alphabetical index
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Child restraint system
Booster seats, definition ........208
Booster seats, installation .....216
Convertible seats,
definition ............................. 208
Convertible seats,
installation ........................... 216
Front passenger occupant
classification system ........... 202
Infant seats, definition ...........208
Infant seats, installation.........216
Installing child restraint system
with LATCH anchors ........... 214
Installing child restraint system
with seat belts ..................... 216
Installing child restraint system
with top tether strap ............ 220
Child safety
Airbag precautions ................196
Back door precautions .......... 146
Child restraint system............ 208
Child-protectors ..................... 139
How to charge .........................85
How your child should wear
the seat belt ........................ 163
Installing child restraints ........213
Power window lock switch..... 175
Power window precautions ...177
Remote Air Conditioning
System precautions ............ 380
Removed electronic key
battery precautions ............. 498
Seat belt extender
precautions ......................... 168
Seat belt precautions ............164
Seat heater precautions ........ 404
12-volt battery precautions .... 479
Child-protectors ....................... 139
Cleaning
Exterior.................................. 430
Interior ................................... 433
Seat belts .............................. 434
Clock ......................................... 280
Condenser ................................ 471
Console box ............................. 393
Cooling system
Engine overheating ............... 607
Hybrid system overheating ... 607
Cruise control
Cruise control ........................ 313
Dynamic radar cruise
control ................................. 317
Cup holders .............................. 394
Curtain shield airbags ............. 187
Customizable features ............ 647

680
Alphabetical index
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Engine
Accessory mode....................244
Compartment ........................ 464
Hood...................................... 448
How to start the hybrid
system ................................ 242
Identification number .............620
If the hybrid system will not
start ..................................... 596
Ignition switch........................242
Overheating........................... 607
“POWER” switch ................... 242
Engine coolant
Capacity ................................ 625
Checking ............................... 469
Preparing and checking
before winter ....................... 355
Engine/power control
unit coolant
Capacity ................................ 625
Checking ............................... 469
Preparing and checking
before winter ....................... 355
Engine oil
Capacity ................................ 622
Checking ............................... 465
Preparing and checking
before winter ....................... 355
Enhanced VSC .........................333
EPS ............................................333
EV driving ratio indicator ........276
EV driving range ................58, 273
Event data recorder ...................25
EV/HV mode selection
switch .......................................37
Floor mats ................................ 407
Fluid
Brake..................................... 627
Washer.................................. 474
Fog lights
Replacing light bulbs ............. 511
Switch ................................... 303
Wattage................................. 628
Foot lights ................................ 388
Front fog lights
Replacing light bulbs ............. 511
Switch ................................... 303
Wattage................................. 628
Front passenger occupant
classification system ............ 202
Front passenger’s seat belt
reminder light ........................ 541
Front seats
Adjustment ............................ 150
Front side marker light
Replacing light bulbs ............. 511
Wattage................................. 628
Front turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ............. 511
Switch ................................... 259
Wattage................................. 628
Fuel
Capacity ................................ 621
Fuel gauge ............................ 262
Information ............................ 629
Refueling ............................... 178
Type ...................................... 629
Fuel door .................................. 178
Fuel filler door .......................... 178
Fuses ........................................ 499
F

683
Alphabetical index
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Odometer ................................. 278
Oil
Engine oil.............................. 465
Opener
Back door ............................. 144
Fuel filler door....................... 178
Hood ..................................... 448
Outside rear view mirrors
Adjusting and folding ............ 173
Outside rear view mirror
defogger switch .................... 381
Outside temperature
display ................................... 400
Overheating ............................. 607
Parking brake .......................... 260
Parking lights
Switch ................................... 297
PCS ........................................... 340
Personal lights
Switch ................................... 389
Wattage ................................ 628
Plug-in hybrid system
Driving tips.............................. 68
EV driving range ..................... 58
EV mode................................. 35
EV/HV mode selection
switch ................................... 37
Features ................................. 32
How to charge ........................ 85
HV mode ................................ 36
Plug-in Hybrid Applications .... 75
Power outlets........................... 401
Power sources........................... 82
“POWER” switch ..................... 242
Power windows ....................... 175
Pre-collision system ............... 340
Radar cruise control
system ....................................317
Radiator ....................................471
Radio*
Radio data system*
RDS*
Rear seats
Adjustment ............................153
Folding down .........................154
Rear turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs .............511
Wattage .................................628
Rear view mirror...............170, 173
Rear view monitor system*
Rear window and outside
rear view mirror
defoggers ...............................381
Rear window wiper and
washer ....................................309
Remote Air Conditioning
System ....................................377
Replacing
Electronic key battery ............497
Fuses ....................................499
Light bulbs .............................511
Tires ......................................454
Reporting safety defects for
U.S. owners ............................658
Resetting the message
indicating maintenance is
required ..................................437
O
P
R
*:Refer to “DISPLAY AUDIO SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”
or “NAVIGATION SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”.