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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.