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761-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or when the terminal has been
removed and installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by the
hybrid battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your
Toyota dealer.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehicle is able to
move with the “READY” indicator is illuminated. 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:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) when the
hybrid system starts or stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a snap or soft clank will be emitted from the
hybrid battery (traction battery), behind the rear seats, when the hybrid sys-
tem is started or stopped.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is open.
●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 the brake pedal is
depressed or as the accelerator pedal is released.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent under the rear
seat.
■Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity notification system may be diffi-
cult for surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification system is installed on the front of
the vehicle, it may be more difficult to hear from the rear of the vehicle com-
pared to the front.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
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781-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
There is an air intake vent under
the rear seat for the purpose of
cooling the hybrid battery (traction
battery). If the vent becomes
blocked, the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) may overheat, lead-
ing to a reduction in hybrid battery
(traction 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. 503)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message (vehicles with multi-information dis-
play)
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4-6. Driving tips
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accel-
erator pedal depression amount can be generated more smoothly
than it is in normal conditions. In addition, the operation of the air
conditioning system (heating/cooling) will be minimized, improving
the fuel economy. (P. 245)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. (P. 98)
◆Shift position operation
Shift the shift position to D when stopped at a traffic light, or driving
in heavy traffic etc. Shift the shift position to P when parking. When
using the N, there is no positive effect on fuel consumption. In the
N, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be gener-
ated. Also, when using the air conditioning system, etc., the hybrid
battery (traction battery) power is consumed.
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
●Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid abrupt acceleration and
deceleration. Gradual acceleration and deceleration will make
more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) without
having to use gasoline engine power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration. Repeated acceleration consumes
hybrid battery (traction battery) power, resulting in poor fuel con-
sumption. Battery power can be restored by driving with the
accelerator pedal slightly released.
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the fol-
lowing points:
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -31F [-35C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -44F [-42C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine/power control unit coolant reservoir
caps, drain cock and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
WARNING
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the engine/power control unit coolant reservoir caps.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
4337-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Radiator and condenser
WARNING
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.
■When the electric cooling fans are operating
Do not touch the engine compartment.
With the power switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may automati-
cally start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. Be sure the power switch is off when working near the electric cool-
ing fans or radiator grille.
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5008-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
Carrying out the corresponding action turns the warning light off.
NOTICE
■To ensure the tire pressure warning system operates properly
Do not install tires with different specifications or makers, as the tire
pressure warning system may not operate properly.
Other warning light
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(if equipped)
Go to service warning light
Indicates that maintenance of the hybrid battery (traction
battery) cooling component is required
The filter may be clogged, the air intake vent may be
blocked or there may be a gap in the duct.
Have maintenance performed on the hybrid battery
(traction battery) cooling component at your Toyota
dealer.
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5148-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
Carrying out the corresponding action turns the messages off.
Other displayed messages
Displayed messageDetails/Actions
Maintenance of the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) cooling component is required
The filter may be clogged, the air intake vent
may be blocked or there may be a gap in the
duct.
Have maintenance performed on the hybrid
battery (traction battery) cooling compo-
nent at your Toyota dealer.
Indicates that the EV drive mode is not available*
The reason the EV drive mode is not available
(the vehicle is idling, battery charge is low,
speed is higher than the EV drive mode operat-
ing speed range, accelerator pedal is
depressed too much) may be displayed.
A buzzer also sounds.
Use the EV drive mode when it becomes
available.
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PRIUS v_OM_OM47B12U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
■If the high coolant temperature warning light comes on or
flashes
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air conditioning
system, and then stop the hybrid system.
If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
After the hybrid system has cooled down sufficiently, inspect the
hoses and radiator core (radiator) for any leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant
leaks, immediately contact
your Toyota dealer.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
●The high coolant temperature warning light (P. 493) comes on
or flashes, or a loss of hybrid system power is experienced. (For
example, the vehicle speed does not increase.)
●Vehicles without multi-information display: The hybrid system
overheat warning light (P. 493) comes on.
●Vehicles with multi-information display: The warning message
indicating overheat is shown on the multi-information display.
(P. 507)
●Steam comes out from under the hood.
Correction procedures
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