Page 71 of 596

711-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
WARNING
■When installing a child restraint system
● Shake the child restraint system left and right, and forward and backward
to ensure that it has been securely installed.
● After securing a child restraint system, never adjust the seat.
● Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system
manufacturer.
● When a child restraint system with a top tether strap is installed, do not
install the head restraint. The head restraint may interfere with the top
tether strap preventing secure installation of the child restraint system.
● Make sure to properly store the removed head restraint in a secure place
when you use the child restraint system on the rear seat.
● When securing some types of child restraint systems in rear seats, it may
not be possible to properly use the seat belts in positions next to the child
restraint without interfering with it or affecting seat belt effectiveness. Be
sure your seat belt fits snugly across your shoulder and low on your hips. If
it does not, or if it interferes with the child restraint, move to a different
position. Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ Do not use a seat belt extender
If a seat belt extender is used when installing a child restraint system, the
seat belt will not securely hold the child restraint system, which could cause
death or serious injury to the child or other passengers in the event of sud-
den braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
■ To correctly attach a child r estraint system to the anchors
When using the LATCH anchors, be sure that there are no foreign objects
around the anchors and that the seat belt is not caught behind the child
restraint. Make sure the child restraint system is securely attached, or it
may cause death or serious injury to the child or other passengers in the
event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
Page 72 of 596

721-1. For safe use
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
Exhaust gas precautions
Harmful substance to the human body is included in exhaust
gases if inhaled.
WARNING
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases enter the vehicle and may lead to
an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a serious
health hazard.
■Important points while driving
● Keep the back door closed.
● If you smell exhaust gases in the vehicle even when the back door is
closed, open the windows and have the vehicle inspected at your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.
■ When parking
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a
garage, stop the hybrid system.
● 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 ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or
where it is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the
hybrid system is operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi\
-
cle.
■ Exhaust pipe
The exhaust system needs to be checked periodically. If there is a hole or
crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Page 74 of 596

741-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
◆When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops* when the vehicle is stopped. During
start-off, the electric motor (tra ction motor) drives the vehicle. At
slow speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine is
stopped* and the motor is used.
When the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) is
not being charged.
*When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the engine
is warming up, etc., the gasoline engine will not automatically stop.
( → P. 75)
◆During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predomin antly used. The electric motor
(traction motor) charges the hy brid battery as necessary.
◆When accelerating sharply
The power of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is added to that of
the gasoline engine via the electric motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The wheels operate the electric motor (traction motor) as a power
generator, and the hybrid battery (traction battery) is charged.
When the gasoline engine is off while driving, a sound is produced to
warn pedestrians, people riding bi cycles or other people and vehicles
in the surrounding area that the vehi cle is approaching. The pitch of
the sound adjusts according to vehi cle speed. When vehicle speed is
approximately 16 mph (25 km/h) or more, the warning system turns
off.
Vehicle Proximity Notification System
Page 78 of 596
781-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the
actual item.
Hybrid system precautions
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high volt-
age system (about 520 V at maximum) as well as contains parts
that become extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating.
Obey the warning labels attached to the vehicle.
Warning label
Service plug
Air conditioning compressor
Electric motor (traction motor) Power control unit with DC/DC
converter
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
High voltage cables (orange)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Page 79 of 596

791-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
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 sy stem activates, your vehicle will not restart.
To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.
A message is automatically displa yed 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. 486)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message
Page 80 of 596

801-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
■If a warning light comes on, a warn ing message is displayed, or the 12-
volt battery has been disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In this case, try to start the system again. If
the “READY” indicator does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be started,
refuel the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel le\
vel
warning light ( →P. 479) go off. If there is only a small amount of fuel, the
hybrid system may not be able to start. (The standard amount of fuel is about
1.3 gal. [5.0 L, 1.1 Imp. gal.] when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value
may vary when the vehicle is on a slope. Add extra fuel when the vehicle is
inclined.)
■ Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on hybrid vehicles incorporate electromag-
netic shielding, and therefore emit approximately the same amount of elec-
tromagnetic waves as conventional gasoline powered vehicles or home
electronic appliances.
● Your vehicle may cause sound interference in some third party-produced
radio parts.
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life. The lifespan of
the hybrid battery (traction battery) can change in accordance with driving
style and driving conditions.
Page 81 of 596
811-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
WARNING
■High voltage and high temperature precautions
This vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12-volt sys-
tem. DC and AC high voltage is very dangerous and 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 or their connectors.
● The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high
voltage. Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and
always obey the warning labels attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug
access hole located under the rear seat.
The service plug is used only when the
vehicle is serviced and is subject to high
voltage.
Page 82 of 596

821-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U (OM52J11U)
WARNING
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious
injury:
● Pull your vehicle off the road, apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever
to P, and turn the hybrid system off.
● Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables 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 strong alkaline
electrolyte from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact
with your skin or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water
or, if possible, boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
● If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even
a small amount of water may be dangerous.
● If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the front wheels raised. If the
wheels connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground
when towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may
cause a fire. ( →P. 469)
● Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.