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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and
deceleration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift position in D or
B.
● The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift position in D or \
B.
■ EV driving range
●The EV driving range is displayed on the multi-information display etc.
(→P. 199, 215, 222, 239)
● The EV driving range changes in accordance with the charge status of the
hybrid battery (traction battery), the speed of the vehicle, etc.
● Even if there is enough charge remaining in the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery), EV driving may be canceled and both gasoline engine and electric
motor are used depending on the situation. ( →P. 87)
■ After EV mode has switched to HV mo de due to low hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) charge
If the hybrid battery (traction battery) is regenerated by driving continuously
down a long slope, the EV driving range etc. will be displayed on the multi-
information display and EV mode will be automatically switched to.
If EV mode is not switched to even though EV driving range is being dis-
played, EV mode can be switched to by pressing the EV/HV mode selection
switch.
■ Refilling fuel
Plug-in hybrid vehicles can be driven using electricity charged from an exter-
nal power source. However, as the gasoline engine is used depending on the
situation even if in EV mode, and the gasoline engine is provided on board as
a power source for driving in HV mode, it is needed to refueling the vehicle.
Check the fuel amount and refill immediately when the fuel level becomes
low. ( →P. 356)
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
872-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
■Gasoline engine operatio n in EV/EV auto mode
Even if there is a sufficient amount of electricity remaining in the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) and EV driving range ( →P. 199, 215, 222, 239) is being
displayed on the multi-information display etc., EV driving (driving using only
the electric motor) may be canceled and both gasoline engine and electric
motor are used depending on the situat ion (EV driving will be returned to
automatically after EV driving becomes possible again).
EV driving may be canceled automatically in the following circumstances:
● When vehicle speed is more than approximately 84 mph (135 km/h).
● When power is needed temporarily, for example when the accelerator pedal
is depressed firmly or when accelerating suddenly.
*
●When the temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds,
etc.
● When the temperature of the hybrid system is low.
● When the heater is switched on when the outside temperature is below
about 14°F (-10°C).
● When the windshield defogger switch is pressed. ( →P. 491, 501)
● When the system determines that the gasoline engine needs to be started.\
The gasoline engine may also operate in circumstances other than those
listed above, depending on conditions.
*: When traveling in the EV auto mode only
■ Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop
automatically in the following conditions
*:
● During gasoline engine warm-up
● During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
● When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
● When the windshield defogger switch is pressed. ( →P. 491, 501)
*: Depending on the circumstances, the gasoline engine may also not stop
automatically in situations other than those above.
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
912-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
There are air intake vents on both
sides of the rear seatback for the
purpose of cooling the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery). If the vents
become blocked, the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) may over-
heat, leading 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 syst em blocks off the high voltage current and
stops the fuel pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuel leak-
age. If the emergency shut off syst em 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.
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
■If a warning light comes on, a warning message is displayed or the 12-
volt battery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In that 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. 655) 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
2.0 gal. [7.5 L, 1.7 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 the hybrid vehicles incorporate electro-
magnetic shielding, and therefore em it 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.
■ Hybrid battery (traction ba ttery) (lithium-ion battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) capacity (the ability to hold a charge)
reduces with time and use in the same way as other rechargeable batteries.
The extent at which capacity reduces changes drastically depending on the
environment (ambient temperature, etc.) and usage conditions, such as how
the vehicle is driven and how the hybrid battery (traction battery) is charged.
This is a natural characteristic of lithium-ion batteries, and is not a malfunc-
tion. Also, even though the distance that can be driven in EV mode decreases
when the hybrid battery (traction battery) capacity reduces, vehicle perfor-
mance does not significantly become worse.
In order to reduce the possibility of the capacity reducing, follow the \
directions
listed on P. 133, “Capacity reduction of the hybrid battery (traction battery)”.
■ Starting the hybrid system in an extremely cold environment
When the hybrid battery (traction battery) is extremely cold (below approxi-
mately -22° F [-30°C]) under the influence of the outside temperature, it may
not be possible to start the hybrid system. In this case, try to start the hybrid
system again after the temperature of the hybrid battery increases due to the
outside temperature increase etc.
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PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents
● Make sure not to block the air intake vent with anything, such as a seat
cover, plastic cover, or luggage. The hybrid battery (traction battery) may
overheat and be damaged.
● When dust etc. has accumulated in the air intake vent, clean it with a vac-
uum cleaner to prevent the vent from clogging.
● 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.
● A filter is installed to the air intake vent. When the filter remains noticeably
dirty even after cleaning the air intake vent, filter cleaning or replacement
is recommended. When cleaning the filter, refer to P. 562.
■ 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 12 months (refuel a
total of at least 5.3 gal. [20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.] over a 12-month period), as this
may affect components of the fuel system or the gasoline engine.
● If the vehicle has not been refueled for a certain amount of time and it is
possible that the quality of the fuel remaining in the tank has changed, “No
new fuel has been added recently. Please refuel” is displayed on the multi-
information display when the power switch is turned to ON mode. If the
message is displayed, refuel the vehicle immediately.
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
992-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
◆Air conditioning
●Turn the “A/C” switch (
*1 • *2) off when it is
not needed. Doing so can help r educe excessive electricity and
fuel consumption.
In summer: When the ambient temperature is high, use the recir-
culated air mode. Doing so will he lp to reduce the burden on the
air conditioning system and reduc e electricity and fuel consump-
tion as well.
In winter: Avoid excessive and unn ecessary use of the heater.
Usage of the heated steering wheel (if equipped) and seat heat-
ers is effective. ( →P. 513)
● Using the Remote Air Conditioning System (→P. 509) while the
charging cable is connected to th e vehicle can reduce electricity
consumption immediately after starting off by operating air condi-
tioning mainly using electricity from an external power source.
● When setting the timer, selecting the start time setting mode and
setting “Climate Prep” to “On” can reduce electricity consumption
immediately after starting off by operating air conditioning before
charging is completed. ( →P. 147)
*1: Vehicles with 7-inch display
*2: Vehicles with 11.6-inch display
◆Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire infl ation pressure frequently. If there is
improper tire inflation pressure in the tires, the EV driving range will
become shorter, and fuel c onsumption when in HV mode will
increase.
Also, as snow tires can cause larg e amounts of friction, their use on
dry roads can lead to increased fuel and electricity consumption.
◆Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage will lead to poor fuel economy. Avoid carry-
ing unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack will also cause
poor fuel economy.
◆Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically,
warming up is not necessary.
100
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
EV driving range
The value displayed on the multi-information display etc. (→P. 199,
215, 222, 239) is estimated from the following information.
● The amount of hybrid battery (traction battery) charge currently
remaining
● The electricity consumption (the estimated distance that can be
driven in EV mode per unit of electrical energy) based on the
recorded value
● Past air conditioning system electricity consumption amount
The electricity consum ption varies depending on how the vehicle is
driven. The vehicle automatically re cords the electricity consumption
when being charged and uses the el ectricity consumption for estimat-
ing the EV driving range. Therefor e, the EV driving range displayed
when the hybrid battery (traction ba ttery) is fully charged may differ
from the previous EV driving range depending on how the vehicle was
driven.
The EV driving range may change si gnificantly with each charging
until the electricity consumption based on the recorded value is stable
(for approximately the fi rst month or two). However, this does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
When the air conditioning system is turned on, the EV driving range
(with using the air conditioning syst em) is estimated based on the past
air conditioning electricity consumption amount considering that the
electricity consumpt ion may become higher.
The EV driving range displayed on the multi-information display
etc. shows the reference distance that EV driving (driving using
only the electric motor) is possible, and the actual distance that
can be driven may differ from that displayed.
Even if the EV driving range is displayed, EV driving may be can-
celed and both gasoline engine and electric motor are used depend-
ing on the situation. ( →P. 8 7 )
Displayed value
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
1012-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
The distance that can be driven in EV mode varies significantly
depending on how the vehicle is driven, road conditions, the weather,
the outside temperature, usage cond itions of electrical components
and the number of occupants.
The distance that can be driven in EV mode can be extended if the fol-
lowing is performed:
● Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front and avoid unnec-
essary acceleration and deceleration
● Accelerate and decelerate the v ehicle as smoothly as possible
● Drive at moderate speeds as much as possible and maintain a con-
stant speed
● Set the air conditioning to a moderate temperature and turn the “A/C”
switch (
*1 • *2) off when it is not needed
● Use tires of the specified size and maintain the specified tire pres-
sure
● Use the EV/HV mode selection switch to drive in HV mode when
driving on a highway
Electricity consumption will increa se substantially when driving on a
highway in EV mode.
● Do not add unnecessary weight to the vehicle
*1: Vehicles with 7-inch display
*2: Vehicles with 11.6-inch display
The following indicate that charging has been carried out properly.
●The charging indicator turns off
● The Hybrid battery (traction battery ) status indicators illuminate for
approximately 15 seconds. ( →P. 104)
● “Charging Complete” is displayed on the multi-information display
when starting off ( →P. 130)
Regardless of the type of power source or whether the charging timer
function is used, charging is completed if the above can be confirmed.
Charging-related messages: →P. 175
Tips for extending the EV driving range
Display when charging is completed