2018 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual (in English)

811-3. Hybrid system
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For safety and security
■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. 83)
■ 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.

821-3. Hybrid system
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Hybrid system precautions
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the
actual item.
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high volt-
age system (about 600 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
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
High voltage cables (orange) Electric motor (traction motor)
Power control unit
Air conditioning compressor1
2
3
4
5
6
7

831-3. Hybrid system
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For safety and security
There is an air intake vent under
the right side of the rear seat for
the purpose of cooling the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If the
vent becomes blocked, the hybrid
battery (traction battery) may
overheat, 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 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.
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message

841-3. Hybrid system
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■If a warning light comes on, a wa rning message is displayed, or the
12-volt battery is 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. 675) 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 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.
■ 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.

851-3. Hybrid system
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For safety and security
WARNING
■High voltage 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 right side
of the rear seat. The service plug is
used only when the vehicle is serviced
and is subject to high voltage.

861-3. Hybrid system
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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 posi-
tion to P, and turn the hybrid system off.
● Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
● If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric
shock may occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
● 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 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. 666)
● 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.
ZVW50 model*
● 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.
*: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label. ( →P. 745)
ZVW51 models*
● Do not touch the battery if liquid is leaking from or adhering to it.
If electrolyte (carbonic-based organic electrolyte) from the hybrid battery
(traction battery) comes into contact with the eyes or skin, it could cause
blindness or skin wounds. In the unlikely event that it comes into contact
with the eyes or skin, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water,
and seek immediate medical attention.
● If electrolyte is leaking from the hybrid battery (traction battery), do not
approach the vehicle.
Even in the unlikely event that the hybrid battery (traction battery) is dam-
aged, the internal construction of the battery will prevent a large amount of
electrolyte from leaking out. However, any electrolyte that does leak out
will give off a vapor. This vapor is an irritant to skin and eyes and could
cause acute poisoning if inhaled.
● Do not bring burning or high-temperat ure items close to the electrolyte.
The electrolyte may ignite and cause a fire.
*: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label. ( →P. 745)

871-3. Hybrid system
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For safety and security
WARNING
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
● ZVW51 models
*: Your vehicle contains a sealed lithium-ion battery.
● Never resell, hand over or modify the hybrid battery. To prevent accidents,
hybrid batteries that have been removed from a disposed vehicle are col-
lected through Toyota dealer. Do not dispose of the battery yourself.
Unless the battery is properly collected, the following may occur, resulting
in death or serious injury:
• The hybrid battery may be illegally disposed of or dumped, and it is haz-
ardous to the environment or someone may touch a high voltage part,
resulting in an electric shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to be used exclusively with your hybrid vehicle. If the hybrid battery is used outside of your vehicle or modified
in any way, accidents such as electric shock, heat generation, smoke
generation, an explosion and electrolyte leakage may occur.
When reselling or handing over your vehicle, the possibility of an accident
is extremely high because the person receiving the vehicle may not be
aware of these dangers.
● If your vehicle is disposed of without the hybrid battery having been
removed, there is a danger of serious electric shock if high voltage parts,
cables and their connectors are touched. In the event that your vehicle
must be disposed of, the hybrid battery must be disposed of by your
Toyota dealer or a qualified service shop. If the hybrid battery is not dis-
posed of properly, it may cause electric shock that can result in death or
serious injury.
*: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label. ( →P. 745)

881-3. Hybrid system
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NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
● 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 get water or foreign materials in the air intake vent 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.
● There is a filter 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. For information regarding filter cleaning or
replacement, refer to P. 637.
● If “Maintenance required for Traction battery cooling parts See owner’s
manual” is shown on the multi-information display, the air intake vent and
filter may be clogged. Refer to P. 637 for information on how to clean the
air intake vent.