Page 73 of 596

731-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
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  do or  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 t ime.
If  such  a  situation  cannot  be  avoided,  park  the  vehicle  in  an  o pen  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  w hile  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 exhaus t noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer. 
     
        
        Page 75 of 596

751-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
◆When stopped/during start off
The  gasoline  engine  stops
*  when  the  vehicle  is  stopped.  During
start-off,  the  electric  motor  (traction  motor)  drives  the  vehic le.  At
slow  speeds  or  when  traveling  down  a  gentle  slope,  the  engine  i s
stopped
* and the motor is used.
When  the  shift  lever  is  in  N,  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  batt ery)  is
not being charged.
*: When  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  requires  charging  o r  the  engine
is warming up, etc., the gasoline engine will not automatically  stop. 
( P. 76)
◆During normal driving
The  gasoline  engine  is  predominantly  used.  The  electric  motor
(traction motor) charges the hybr id battery (traction battery) as nec-
essary.
◆When accelerating sharply
The power of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is added to  that of
the gasoline engine via the ele ctric motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The  wheels  operate  the  electric  motor  (traction  motor)  as  a  pow er
generator, and the hybrid battery  (traction battery) is charged.
When the gasoline engine is off while driving, a sound is produ ced to
warn pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and ve hicles
in  the  surrounding  area  that  the  vehicle  is  approaching.  The  pi tch  of
the sound adjusts according to v ehicle speed. When vehicle spee d is
approximately  16  mph  (25  km/h)  or  more,  the  warning  system  turn s
off.
Vehicle Proximity Notification System 
     
        
        Page 79 of 596
791-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
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 80 of 596
801-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U
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).  When  the  air  intake  vent  is
blocked,  the  battery  operations
will  be  restricted  and  cause  a
decline in fuel consumption.
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 ri sk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If
the emergency shut off system activates, your vehicle will not  restart.
To restart the hybrid system , contact your Toyota dealer.
A  message  is  automatically  displ ayed  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. 485)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message 
     
        
        Page 81 of 596

811-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
■If a  warning  light comes  on, a  warning  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 dea ler.
■ Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cann ot be started,
refuel  the  vehicle  with  at  least  enough  gasoline  to  make  the  lo w  fuel  level
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  th e  vehicle  is
inclined.)
■ Electromagnetic waves
●High  voltage  parts  and  cables  on  hybrid  vehicles  incorporate  el ectromag-
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-p roduced
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 82 of 596
821-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U
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  sev ere
burns and electric shock that may result in death or serious in jury.
● Never  touch,  disassemble,  remove  or  replace  the  high  voltage  pa rts,
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 tempe rature, 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 83 of 596

831-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Road accident cautions
Observe  the  following  precautions  to  reduce  the  risk  of  death  o r  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  str ong  alkaline
electrolyte from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it c omes into contact
with your skin or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large am ount of water
or, if possible, boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical at tention.
● 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.  Th is  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. 
     
        
        Page 84 of 596

841-2. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
● Never resell, hand over or modify the hybrid battery. To preven t 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 occ ur, 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  p art,
resulting in an electric shock.
• The  hybrid  battery  is  intended  to  be  used  exclusively  with  you r  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  havin g  been
removed, there  is  a  danger  of  serious  electric  shock  if  high  vo ltage  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.