TABLE OF CONTENTS6
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 644
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ...................... 645
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ......................... 646
If you think something is wrong .............................. 652
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 653
If a warning message is displayed ......................... 663
If you have a flat tire .......... 671
If the hybrid system will not start ........................... 688
If the electronic key does not operate properly ........ 690
If the 12-volt battery is discharged ...................... 694
If your vehicle overheats ... 700
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................ 705 9-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .......... 708
Fuel information ................. 718
Tire information.................. 721
9-2. Customization Customizable features ....... 732
9-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................ 743
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ........................ 746
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 747
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 749
Headlight aim instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 758
8When trouble arises9Vehicle specifications
10For owners
18Pictorial index
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
■Instrument panel
Power switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 324
Starting the hybrid system/changing the modes . . . . . . . . . . . P. 324
Emergency stop of the hybrid system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 645
When the hybrid system will not start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 688
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 663
Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 330
Changing the shift position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 330
Precautions against towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 646
P position switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 331
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 180
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument
cluster light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 180, 182
Warning lights/indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 188
When the warning lights come on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 653
IOPPH012
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291-1. For safe use
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
1
For safety and security
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not adjust the position of the driver’s seat while driving.
Doing so could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
● Do not place a cushion between the driver or passenger and the seatback.
A cushion may prevent correct posture from being achieved, and reduce
the effectiveness of the seat belt and head restraint.
● Do not place anything under the front seats.
Objects placed under the front seats may become jammed in the seat
tracks and stop the seat from locking in place. This may lead to an acci-
dent and the adjustment mechanism may also be damaged.
● Always observe the legal speed limit when driving on public roads.
● When driving over long distances, take regular breaks before you start to
feel tired.
Also, if you feel tired or sleepy while driving, do not force yourself to con-
tinue driving and take a break immediately.
751-3. Theft deterrent system
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
1
For safety and security
Immobilizer system
The indicator light flashes after
the power switch has been turned
off to indicate that the system is
operating.
The indicator light stops flashing
after the power switch has been
turned to ACCESSORY or ON
mode to indicate that the system
has been canceled.
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type immobilizer system.
■ Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
●If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic object
● If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key registered to the security
system (key with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle
The vehicle’s keys have built-in transponder chips that prevent
the hybrid system from starting if a key has not been previously
registered in the vehi cle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehi-
cle. This system is designed to help prevent vehicle theft but does not
guarantee absolute security against all vehicle thefts.
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
832-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
■Switching to the hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode
Press and hold the switch.
Take your hand off the switch
once the hybrid battery charge
mode indicator starts to blink.
The hybrid battery charge mode
indicator illuminates when the
switch to hybrid battery (traction
battery) charge mode is com-
plete.
When the hybrid battery (traction battery) is fully charged
*, the hybrid
battery (traction battery) charge mode is automatically canceled and the
operation mode will be switched to HV mode.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode will be canceled by
pressing EV/HV mode selection switch or EV auto mode switch.
*: The maximum charge amount in the hybrid battery (traction battery)
charge mode is approximately 80% of the fully charged capacity for the
charging from an external power source.
■ If the plug-in hybrid system op eration mode cannot be changed
In the following situations, the plug-in hybrid system operation mode cannot
be changed even if the EV/HV mode selection switch or EV auto mode switc\
h
is pressed. (In this case, the warning message is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display when the switch is pressed.)
● When electricity needed for EV driving is not remaining (when in EV/EV
auto mode)
● When the traction battery is almost completely charged (hybrid battery [trac-
tion battery] charge mode)
■ When switching from EV mode to another mode using the switch
When the power switch is turned off, operation mode switching is canceled
and the system returns to EV mode the next time the vehicle is started.
■ Hybrid battery (tractio n battery) charge mode
● The following may occur to protect the system, etc.
• Cannot switch to hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode or cannot
cancel it
• Gasoline engine does not start or stops even after switching to hybrid bat- tery (traction battery) charge mode
● If a load to the system is large, such as when the power consumption of \
the
air conditioning system is large or when the temperature of the engine cool-
ant is high, it may take longer time than usual to charge using the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) charge mode, or charging to the hybrid battery
(traction battery) may not be performed.
84
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
■When in EV/EV auto mode
In EV/EV auto mode, EV driving (driving using only the electric
motor)
* is possible. However, depending on the situation, EV driv-
ing may be canceled and both gasoline engine and electric motor
are used ( →P. 87). Also, if a little electricity is remaining in the
hybrid battery (traction battery), HV mode is automatically selected.
To drive in EV/EV auto mode long, observe the followings.
● Avoid sudden acceleration and sudden deceleration, and be sure
to drive smoothly.
If you repeatedly accelerate, the hybrid battery (traction battery)
charge will deplete quickly. Also , EV driving may be canceled by
rapid acceleration or vehicle speed.
● Restrain your speed as much as possible. The distance that can
be driven in EV/EV auto mode wi ll reduce considerably at high
speeds.
*: The EV driving range can be checked using the multi-information dis- play etc. ( →P. 199, 215, 222, 239)
■
When in HV mode
The vehicle can be used in the same way as a standard hybrid
vehicle.
In HV mode, controls are primaril y carried out as follows in accor-
dance with the dr iving conditions.
● The gasoline engine stops
* when the vehicle is stopped.
● During start off, the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehi-
cle.
● During normal driving, the gasoline engine and electric motor
(traction motor) are controlled effectively, and the vehicle is
driven with optimum fuel efficiency. Also, when necessary, the
electric motor (traction motor) op erates as an electrical generator
to charge the hybrid battery (traction battery).
● When the accelerator pedal is dep ressed heavily, drive force
from both the gasoline engine and the electric motor (traction
motor) is used to accelerate.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the engine is warming up, etc., the gasoline engine will not automatically
stop. ( →P. 87)
Control when driving in each mode
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.
88
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47A88U_(U)
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
■If the vehicle is not used for a long time
●The 12-volt battery may discharge. In this event, charge the 12-volt battery.
(→P. 587)
In order to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery) from becoming
extremely low in charge, charge the hybrid battery (traction battery) from
external power source or start the hybrid system at least once every 2 or 3
months, and turn the power switch off after the gasoline engine has
stopped automatically. (If the gasoline engine does not start up even after
approximately 10 seconds have passed since the “READY” indicator came
on, the power switch can be turned to off without any further action.)
● When the vehicle is left with the charging cable connected, the electricity
consumption amount of the 12-volt battery increases due to controls, suc\
h
as the system checking, operating. When the charging cable is not needed,
immediately remove it from the vehicle.
■ 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. ( →P. 91)
■ 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.