
12
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)The  SRS  airbag  and  seat  belt  pretensioner  devices  in  your  Toyot
a  contain
explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbag s and seat belt
pretensioners  left  as  they  are,  this  may  cause  an  accident  such  as fire. Be
sure  to  have  the  systems  of  the  SRS  airbag  and  seat  belt  preten sioner
removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your  Toyota dealer
before you scrap your vehicle.
Special handling may apply, 
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. 
Your  vehicle  has  components  that  may  contain  perchlorate.  These   compo-
nents  may  include  airbag,  seat  belt  pretensioners,  and  wireless   remote  con-
trol batteries.
Scrapping of your Toyota
Perchlorate Material
WARNING
■ General precautions while driving
Driving under the  influence:  Never drive  your vehicle when  unde r  the  influ-
ence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehi-
cle.  Alcohol  and  certain  drugs  delay  reaction  time,  impair  judg ment  and
reduce  coordination,  which  could  lead  to  an  accident  that  could   result  in
death or serious injury.
Defensive  driving: Always  drive  defensively. Anticipate  mistake s  that  other
drivers or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid acciden ts.
Driver  distraction:  Always  give  your  full  attention  to  driving.  Anything  that
distracts the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a  cellular phone or
reading can result in a collision with resulting death or serio us injury to you,
your occupants or others.
■ General precaution regar ding children’s safety
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow  children to
have or use the key.
Children  may  be  able  to  start  the  vehicle  or  shift  the  vehicle  into  neutral.
There is also a  danger that  children  may  injure  themselves  by p laying with
the  windows,  or  other  features  of  the  vehicle.  In  addition,  hea t  build-up  or
extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to  children. 

84
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system features
The  illustration  is  an  example  for  explanation  and  may  differ  from  the
actual item.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (traction motor)
The plug-in hybrid system is a system excellent in both econom-
ical efficiency of electric vehicles and practicality of hybrid  vehi-
cles.
● EV  driving  can  be  performed  using  electricity  charged  from  an
external power source.
*
●If the amount of electricity remaining in the hybrid battery (t raction
battery)  becomes  low,  the  vehicle  is  automatically  controlled  i n
such  a  way  that  it  can  be  driven  as  a  hybrid  vehicle  through  the
joint use of the gasoline engine.
*: The  EV  driving  range  will  vary  in  accordance  with  conditions  s uch  as
vehicle  speed,  the  amount  of  charge  remaining  in  the  hybrid  bat tery
(traction battery) and the usage of the air conditioning system. The gaso-
line engine may also be used simultaneously in accordance with  driving
conditions.
1
2 

90
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(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  gaso line  engine  and  electric  motor
are  used  ( P.  93).  Also,  if  a  little  electricity  is  remaining  in  the
hybrid battery (traction battery), HV mode is automatically sel ected.
To drive in EV/EV auto mode l ong, observe the followings.
● Avoid sudden acceleration and sudden deceleration, and be sure
to drive smoothly.
If  you  repeatedly  accelerate,  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  batt ery)
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  will  reduce  considerably  at  high
speeds.
*: The  EV  driving  range  can  be  checked  using  the  multi-informatio n  dis-
play etc. ( P. 207, 223, 230, 247)
■
When in HV mode
The  vehicle  can  be  used  in  the  same  way  as  a  standard  hybrid
vehicle.
In  HV  mode,  controls  are  primarily  carried  out  as  follows  in  ac cor-
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) operates as an electrical gener ator
to charge the hybrid battery (traction battery).
● When  the  accelerator  pedal  is  depressed  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  automa tically
stop. ( P. 93)
Control when driving in each mode 

96
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in 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 contains a high
voltage  system  (about  600V  at  maximum)  as  well  as  parts  that
become  extremely  hot  when  th e  hybrid  system  is  operating.
Obey the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
Caution label
Charging inlet
Service plug
Air conditioning compressor
Power  control  unit  and  DC/DC
converter Electric motor (traction motor)
High voltage c
ables (orange)
Battery charger
Hybrid  battery  (traction  bat-
tery)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 

104
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
●Drive  your  vehicle  smoothly.  Avoid  abrupt  acceleration  and
deceleration.  Gradual  accelerat ion  and  deceleration  will  make
more  effective  use  of  the  electric  motor  (traction  motor)  witho ut
having to use gaso line engine power.
● Avoid  repeated  acceleration.  Repeated  acceleration  consumes
hybrid battery (tracti on battery) power, resulting in poor fuel  con-
sumption.  Battery  power  can  be  restored  by  driving  with  the
accelerator pedal slightly released.
◆When braking
Make  sure  to  operate  the  brakes  gently  and  a  timely  manner.  A
greater amount of electrical energy  can be regenerated when slow-
ing down.
◆Delays
Repeated  acceleration  and  deceleration,  as  well  as  long  waits  a t
traffic  lights,  will  lead  to  high   fuel  and  electricity  consumption.
Check  traffic  reports  before  leav ing  and  avoid  delays  as  much  a s
possible.  When  driving  in  a  traffic  jam,  gently  release  the  brake
pedal  to  allow  the  vehicle  to  mov e  forward  slightly  while  avoiding
overuse of the accelerator pedal. Doing so can help control exces-
sive electricity and fuel consumption.
◆Highway driving
● Control  and  maintain  the  vehicle  at  a  constant  speed.  Before
stopping at a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to re lease
the accelerator and gently apply the brakes. A greater amount o f
electrical energy can be regenerated when slowing down.
● Electricity consumption will in crease significantly when drivin g at
high  speeds  in  EV  mode.  If  there  will  be  a  long  distance  to  the
next  external  charging  point  after  leaving  a  freeway,  it  is  rec om-
mended to drive in HV mode while on the freeway and change to
EV mode after leaving the freeway. 

110
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
2-2. Charging
■Closing the charging port lid
Close  the  charging  port  lid  and
press  the  rear  edge  of  the
charging  port  lid  (the  position
shown in the illustration).
Vehicles  with  smart  lid  &  con-
nector locking system:
• When  the  doors  are  locked with  the  smart  key  system,
wireless  remote  control  or
door lock switch, the charging
port lid is also locked. 
(P. 275, 277)
• If  the  charging  port  lid  is closed  with  the  doors  locked,
the charging port lid locks.
When  the  charging  cable  is  con-
nected  to  the  charging  inlet,  the
user  is  informed  of  the  charging
status  of  the  hybrid  battery  (trac-
tion  battery)  by  the  statuses  of  3
indicators  (turned  off,  illuminated
or flashing).
■During charging
Hybrid battery (traction  battery) status indicator
Charging status of the 
hybrid battery 
(traction battery)Hybrid battery (traction battery) status indicator
About less than halfFlashesNot illuminatedNot illuminated
About more than halfIlluminatedFlashesNot illuminated
FullIlluminatedIlluminatedFlashes
123 

PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
1332-2. Charging
2
Plug-in hybrid system
■Hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  warming  control  (Alaska  and
Canada only)
This control operates after the charging cable remains connected to
the  vehicle  for  3  days  and  “Traction  Battery  Heater”  automatica lly
stops. It automatically insulates  the hybrid battery (traction battery)
in extremely low temperatures.
● This control stops 31 days after  the charging cable is connected,
even if it is still connected to t he vehicle.
● When  this  control  operates,  timer  charging  settings  are  ignored
and charging starts immediately.
■“Traction Battery Cooler”
When  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  is  hot,  this  functio n  pro-
tects  it  by  using  the  vehicle  air  conditioning  to  cool  it  befor e
charging is carried out.
When  the  hybrid  battery  (trac-
tion  battery)  is  above  a  certain
temperature  and  the  power
switch is turned off, a check
screen  is  displayed  on  the
multi-information  display  that
indicates whether “Traction Bat-
tery Cooler” is implemented.
When “No” is selected, the hybrid battery (traction battery) co oling sys-
tem does not operate. 

180
PRIUS PRIME_OM_OM47D13U_(U)
2-2. Charging
Charging starts immediately, even though charge schedule is reg istered
“Charge Now” is set to “On”
When  charging  according  to  the
timer,  set  “Charge  Now”  to  “Off”.
( P. 163, 172)
Charge schedule is set to “Off”Check  that  charge  schedule  is  not
set to “Off”. ( P. 161, 171)
Charging mode is set to “Departure”
and  schedule  departure  time  is
close to current time
When  the  system  determines  that
there is no time to finish charging by
the  set  scheduled  departure  time,  it
starts  charging  immediately.  Check
the charge schedules.
Charging  cable  was  removed  and
reinserted  while  charging  indicator
was flashing
If the charging cable is removed and
reinserted while the charging indica-
tor  is  flashing,  the  charging  timer  is
canceled  (P.  146).  Temporarily
remove the charging cable, and then
reconnect it.
The  Remote  Air  Conditioning  Sys-
tem was operated
When  the  Remote  Air  Conditioning
System  is  operated,  the  system  will
start  charging  immediately,  even  if
the  charge  schedule  is  registered.
To  carry  out  charging  using  the
timer,  stop  the  Remote  Air  Condi-
tioning  System,  and  then  reconnect
the charging cable.
“Traction  Battery  Heater”  ( P.  132)
operated
When  the  charging  mode  is  set  to
“Departure”,  “Traction  Battery
Heater”  may  operate  before
charging  starts.  Check  the  status  of
the charging indicator. ( P. 112)
Outside  temperature  is  low  and
hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)
warming  control  (P. 133) of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) oper-
ated 
(Alaska and Canada only)When  hybrid  battery  (traction  bat-
tery)  warming  control  of  the  hybrid
battery  (traction  battery)  operates,
the  timer  settings  are  ignored  and
charging starts immediately. In order
to protect the hybrid battery (traction
battery), allow charging to continue.
Likely causeCorrection procedure