852. Fuel cell vehicle
2
Fuel cell system
MIRAI_OM_USA_OM62023U
There is an air intake vent beside
the rear left seat for the purpose
of cooling the traction battery. If
the air intake vent is blocked, it
could lead to a reduction in trac-
tion battery output.
■ If a warning light comes on, a warn ing message is displayed, or the 12-
volt battery connection is disconnected
The fuel cell system may not be able to restart.
If the “READY” indicator does not come on, even when the start pro\
cedure is
repeated, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If “Hydrogen Leakage Detected Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
A small amount of hydrogen gas may be leaking. Have the vehicle inspected
immediately at the nearest Toyota dealer.
■ If “FC System Shutdown due to Hydrogen Leakage Stop Your Vehicle in
a Safe Place and Contact Your Dealer ” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
● Hydrogen gas may be leaking.
When hydrogen gas is leaking or some other malfunction is detected:
→P. 9 0
● The air conditioning system will shut off automatically.
■ Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the fuel cell system cannot be
started, refuel the vehicle until the low fuel level warning light ( →P. 371) turns
off before trying to restart. It may not be able to restart if the refueled amount
is too low (less than about 2.7 lb. [1.2 kg]).
Traction battery air intake vent
862. Fuel cell vehicle
MIRAI_OM_USA_OM62023U■
Fuel cell stack
●Depending on the usage environment, the fuel cell power output may
decline over the life of the vehicle. However, this will have almost no effect
on driving performance.
● In the following situations, the fuel cell power output may decline faster than
normal driving:
• Extended use in areas with high amounts of dust
• Extended use in areas with high levels of sulfur (such as volcanoes or hot
springs).
• Extended use in areas with high concentrations of the following substances:
-Organic solvents, such as paint and thinner
-Amine-related materials such as ammonia
-Chlorinated substances such as salt air and snow-melting agent
However, upon returning to normal environment, the fuel cell power output
will recover over time.
• Salt water gets into the air cleaner filter It is recommended to replace the air cleaner filter and clean the surround-
ing components. Have the vehicle inspected at your Toyota dealer
• The number of times the fuel cell system is started and stopped is exces- sively high
• Extended use in freezing temperatures
■ Hydrogen tanks
●The hydrogen tanks are the high-pressure storage containers that are filled
with compressed hydrogen gas. The vehicle can be refueled at hydrogen
stations.
● The hydrogen tanks have an expiration date. Vehicles with expired hydro-
gen tanks must not be driven or refueled until the hydrogen tanks are
replaced. The expiration date is written on the inside of the fuel door. Con-
sult your Toyota dealer.
● When disposing of the hydrogen tanks or the hydrogen tank valves, consult
your Toyota dealer for details.
872. Fuel cell vehicle
2
Fuel cell system
MIRAI_OM_USA_OM62023U■
Fuel cell stack coolant
●Fuel cell stack coolant uses a specifically-designed fluid with high electrical
insulation properties, in order to safely cool the high-voltage fuel cell stack.
● Never add water or other coolants to the fuel cell stack cooling system, as
they will cause permanent damage.
● Consult your Toyota dealer for repleni shing or changing the fuel cell stack
coolant.
■ Ion filter
●An ion filter is installed in the coolant lines for the fuel cell stack, in order to
maintain the normal insulation properties of the coolant.
● It is necessary to periodically change the ion filter. ( →P. 378) Contact your
Toyota dealer for this periodic maintenance.
■ Tailpipe
●When the power switch is turned off and the fuel cell system is stopped
(→P. 173) after driving, exhaust water is discharged. Be careful when stand-
ing behind the vehicle to avoid dripping or spraying.
● It is possible to manually purge the exhaust. This may be desirable, for
instance, before parking in a garage. This is done by pressing the H
2O
switch. ( →P. 173)
● On cold days, water vapor in the exhaust may appear as a white mist emit-
ted from the tailpipe. This is not a malfunction.
● If the tailpipe is blocked, the fuel cell system will stop.
■ Hydrogen detectors
When the power switch is turned to ON mode, the hydrogen detectors are
activated.
882. Fuel cell vehicle
MIRAI_OM_USA_OM62023U■
Power output restriction
When the power output is restricted, the vehicle may fail to accelerate or even
decelerate, even though the accelerator pedal is depressed. If a safe driving
speed cannot be maintained, stop the vehicle in a safe place away from the
traffic. This may be caused by the following conditions:
●The coolant temperature may be too high. This can be caused by driving
conditions such as repeated sudden acceleration and deceleration, continu-
ous driving on an incline, continuous driving at high altitudes with a high
load, etc. In such situations, the power output restriction indicator (amber) is
displayed on the main display, “High FC Temperature Reduced Power” is
displayed on the multi-information display, and the power output is
restricted. Once the coolant returns to normal temperature, the power out-
put will return to normal. ( →P. 377)
● The remaining fuel may be low. After the low fuel warning indicator comes
on, the output power will be gradually restricted in order to extend the possi-
ble driving distance. Once getting to this point, the remaining driving dis-
tance possible is short. Immediately refill the vehicle with hydrogen.
● On cold days, the low fuel warning indicator comes on faster than usual and
the output power is restricted.
■ Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity notification system may be diffi-
cult to hear for people around.
●In very noisy areas
● In wind or rain
Also, because the vehicle proximity notification system is located in the front
of the vehicle, it may be more difficult to hear from the rear of the vehicle
compared to the front.
■ Electromagnetic waves (EMF)
●High-voltage parts and cables in fuel cell vehicles have an electromagne\
tic
shielding configuration, and therefore emit approximately the same amount
of electromagnetic waves as conventional gasoline-powered vehicles or
home electronic appliances.
● Your vehicle may cause sound interference in some third party-produced
radio parts.
■ Traction battery
The traction battery has a limited service life. The lifespan of the traction bat-
tery can change according to driving style and driving conditions.
892. Fuel cell vehicle
2
Fuel cell system
MIRAI_OM_USA_OM62023U■
Hydrogen Gas Characteristics
●Hydrogen gas ignites more easily than gasoline. However, it is lighter than
air and disperses quickly. So even if hydrogen were to leak from the system,
it would quickly dilute until it is no longer flammable.
● As with gasoline and natural gas, hydrogen gas is not dangerous if it is han-
dled properly. Thoroughly read and understand the characteristics shown in
the table below.
Hydrogen gas
LPG
(Liquid Petroleum Gas)
Gasoline
Normal stateGaseous
(Lighter than air)Gaseous
(Heavier than air)
Volatile liquid
(evaporates
easily)
(Heavier than air)
Ease of
ignitionEasier than
gasolineAt the same level
as gasoline—
Ease of
accumulation
• Disperses
upward and is
diluted to safe
concentrations
in open air
• Does not adhere to
clothing
• Spreads on the
ground or floor
• Does not adhere to
clothing• Spreads on theground or floor
• Adheres to clothing
Detectability
•Due to itscolorless and
odorless state,
difficult to detect
by sight or smell
• Vehicle
hydrogen
detectors will
display a
warning on the
multi-
information
display
• Detectable by odor and gas
leaking noise• Detectable bycolor and odor
902. Fuel cell vehicle
MIRAI_OM_USA_OM62023U■
Basic concepts of hydrogen safety
●Prevent leakage
The pipe joints of the hydrogen pipelines are designed to prevent leaks.
The joints are checked for gas leakage at every official vehicle inspection.
● Detect to stop leakage
• The vehicle is equipped with hydrogen detectors. If the hydrogen detec-
tors detect a leak, the hydrogen tank valves automatically close to pre-
vent more hydrogen from escaping.
• The vehicle is equipped with a collision sensor. If the collision sensor
detects a collision, the hydrogen tank valves automatically close to pre-
vent hydrogen gas from leaking from any damaged components.
● Disperse the leaked hydrogen gas
The hydrogen tanks and pipelines are located outside of the passenger
compartment, so any leaked gas will disperse into the atmosphere by
design.
● Eliminate sources of fire
No source of fire is located near the hydrogen pipelines by design.
WARNING
■Hydrogen-related components
● Never alter, customize, or disassemble any hydrogen-related parts.
● The hydrogen tanks, fuel cell stack, hydrogen pipelines, and connecting
components are filled with hydrogen gas. Do not remove or disassemble
these parts. Doing so can cause a hydrogen gas leak, resulting in fire or
explosion of the vehicle, which may result in death or serious injury.
■ When hydrogen gas leak or other malfunction is detected
● If you notice gas leaking noises or any other malfunction, immediately stop
the vehicle in a safe, well-ventilated place.
● If a warning message is shown on the multi-information display, immedi-
ately stop the vehicle in a safe, well-ventilated place.
● If a large amount of hydrogen gas leaking is noticed, turn off the power
switch, exit the vehicle, and stay far away from it. Display warning signs
and keep sources of fire away from the vehicle. If possible, get assistance.
When the above is done, immediately contact your Toyota dealer.
912. Fuel cell vehicle
2
Fuel cell system
MIRAI_OM_USA_OM62023U
WARNING
■Tailpipe
● Do not directly touch the water or steam coming out of the tailpipe. Doing
so may cause low-temperature burns.
● The fuel cell vehicle generates water during power generation. The gener-
ated water discharged from the tailpipe is not suitable for drinking. Never
drink the water coming out of the tailpipe.
● You may notice a strange odor from the tailpipe for a while after the pur-
chase of a new vehicle or after an extended period of non-use, but this is
not a malfunction. Also, the odor is harmless but it may be unpleasant, so
do not breathe in the exhaust.
■ High-voltage and high-temperature precautions
This vehicle is equipped with a high-voltage system. Follow the instructions
below as high-voltages 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 (orange), or connectors.
● The components inside the motor compartment will become hot during
operation. Be careful of both the high-voltage and high-temperature, and
always obey the warning labels on the vehicle.
●Never touch the service plugs that are
installed on the fuel cell stack and the
traction battery. The service plugs are
used to block high-voltages from the
fuel cell stack and the traction battery
during maintenance or repair at your
Toyota dealer.
922. Fuel cell vehicle
MIRAI_OM_USA_OM62023U
WARNING
■Precautions in case of an accident
In the event of an accident, observe the following precautions. Failure to do
so can cause fire or electric shocks, resulting in death or serious injury.
● Stop the vehicle in a safe place to prevent subsequent accidents. Shift the
shift position to P and apply the parking brake.
● Check for hydrogen gas leakage.
Hydrogen leaks will cause a warning message to be shown on the multi-
information display. Larger leaks may also be audible.
● If a large amount of hydrogen gas leaking is noticed, turn off the power
switch, exit the vehicle, and stay far away from it. Display warning signs
and keep sources of fire away from the vehicle. If possible, get assistance.
When the above is done, immediately contact your Toyota dealer.
● Do not touch the high-voltage parts, cables (orange), 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 the strong alkaline
electrolyte from the traction battery. If it comes into contact with your skin
or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water, and seek
immediate medical attention.
● If a vehicle fire occurs, extinguish it with a Class A, B, or C fire extin-
guisher. If using water, apply a large amount from a hydrant.
● In case of a vehicle fire, the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tanks is
released via the hydrogen tank valves toward the rear of the vehicle
angled downward, in order to reduce the damage to the hydrogen tanks.
Keep away from the vehicle.
● If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the front wheels lifted. If the
wheels are touching the ground, the electric motor (traction motor) may
continue to generate electricity. This may cause a fire.