Page 77 of 600

771-3. 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. 78)
◆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  22  mph  (35  km/h)  or  more,  the  warning  system  turn s
off.
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System 
     
        
        Page 78 of 600

781-3. Hybrid system
PRIUS c_U
■Regenerative braking
In  the  following  situations,  kinetic  energy  is  converted  to  electric  energy  and
deceleration  force  can  be  obtained  in  conjunction  with  the  rech arging  of  the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
● The accelerator pedal is released with the shift lever in D or  B. 
● The brake pedal is depressed with the shift lever in D or B.
■ EV drive indicator lamp
■ 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 heater is switched on
The  EV  drive  indicator  lamp  comes  on
when  the  vehicle is  driven  using only the
electric motor (traction motor) or the gas-
oline engine is stopped.
This  indicator  lamp  will  also  be  dis-
played  when  “ECO  Score”  or  “ECO
Savings” is selected. ( P. 105) 
     
        
        Page 79 of 600
791-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U■
Charging the hybrid batt ery (traction battery)
As  the  gasoline  engine  charges  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  bat tery),  the  bat-
tery  does  not  need  to  be  charged  from  an  outside  source.  Howeve r,   i f   t h e
vehicle  is  left  parked  for  a  long  time  the  hybrid  battery  (trac tion  battery)  will
slowly  discharge.  For  this  reason,  be  sure  to  drive  the  vehicle   at  least  once
every  few  months  for  at  least  30  minutes  or  10  miles  (16  km).  I f  the  hybrid
battery (traction battery) becomes fully discharged and you are  unable to start
the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer. 
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
P. 525
■ After  the  12-volt  battery  has  discharged  or  when  the  terminal  h as  been
removed and installed during exchange, etc. 
The  gasoline  engine  may  not  stop  even  if  the  vehicle  is  being  driven  by  the
hybrid battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few  days, contact your
Toyota dealer. 
     
        
        Page 105 of 600

1052. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_U■
 (Cruising range)
Displays  the  estimated  maximum  distance  that  can  be  driven  with
the quantity of fuel remaining. • This distance is computed base d on your average fuel consump-
tion. As a result, the actual di stance that can be driven may differ
from that displayed.
• When  only  a  small  amount  of  fuel  is  added  to  the  tank,  the  dis -
play may not be updated. 
When  refueling,  turn  the  power  swi tch  off.  If  the  vehicle  is  refu-
eled without turning the power switch off, the display may not  be
updated.
◆Energy monitor
 P.   1 1 2
◆Simple Screen
Displays  the  enlarged  items  (clock,  outside  temperature  and  fue l
gauge)
◆ECO Score
Hybrid  battery  (traction  bat-
tery) charge level display
EV drive indicator lamp
Illuminates  when  only  the  elec-
tric  motor  is  used  to  drive  the
vehicle
Hybrid System Indicator
Hybrid  System  Indicator  rep-
resents the hybrid system power
output  and  regenerative
charging. ( P. 110)
Eco driving conditions display
Driving  conditions  are  displayed  in  5  stages  and  divided  into  3  catego-
ries: start, cruise and stop. Every time the vehicle is stopped, the score
is  displayed.  (Every  time  the  vehicle  is  accelerated  the  score  that  was
last displayed is reset. Accumulative scores are not calculated .)
ECO
1
2
3
4 
     
        
        Page 113 of 600
1132. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
PRIUS c_UAudio system
Multi-information 
display
When the vehicle is powered by t he electric motor (traction motor)
When the vehicle is powered by the gasoline engine
When  the  vehicle  is  powered  by  both  the  gasoline  engine  and  the  electric
motor (traction motor)
When the vehicle is charging the hybrid battery (traction batte ry) 
     
        
        Page 123 of 600

1233-1. Key information
3
Operation of each component
PRIUS c_U■
Key battery depletion
Vehicles without a smart key system
If  the  wireless  remote  control  function  does  not  operate,  the  b attery may be
depleted. Replace the battery when necessary. ( P. 451)
Vehicles with a smart key system
● The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years.
● If the battery becomes low, an alarm will sound in the cabin wh en the hybrid
system stops. ( P. 503)
● As the electronic  key always receives radio waves, the battery  will become
depleted even if the electronic key is not used. The following  symptoms indi-
cate  that  the  electronic  key  battery  may  be  depleted.  Replace  the  battery
when necessary. ( P. 451)
• The smart key system or the wireless remote control does not o perate.
• The detection area becomes smaller.
• The LED indicator on the key surface does not turn on.
● To avoid serious deterioration, do not leave the electronic key  within 3 ft. (1
m) of the following electrical appliances that produce a magnet ic field:
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Cellular phones, cordless phones and battery chargers
• Recharging cellular phones or cordless phones
• Induction cookers
• Table lamps
■ Replacing the battery
P. 451
■ Confirmation  of  the  registered   key  number  (vehicles  with  a  smar t  key
system)
The  number  of  keys  already  registered  to  the  vehicle  can  be  confirmed. Ask
your Toyota dealer for details.
■ If a wrong key is used (vehicles with a smart key system)
The key cylinder rotates freely to isolate inside mechanism.
■ Customization that can be configured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. wireless remote control system) can be changed. 
(Customizable features:  P. 560) 
     
        
        Page 366 of 600

3665-11. Bluetooth® (Multimedia system)
PRIUS c_U■
Bluetooth
® antenna
The antenna is built into the display. 
If  the  portable  audio  player  is  behind  the seat  or  in  the  glove   box  or  console
box,  or  is  touching  or  covered  by  metal  objects,  the  connection   status  may
deteriorate. 
If  the  cellular  phone  is  behind  the  seat  or  in  the  console  box,   or  touching  or
covered by metal objects, the connection status may deteriorate .
■ Battery charge/signal status
●This  display  may  not  correspond  exactly  with  the  portable  audio  player or
cellular phone itself.
● This system does not have a charging function.
● The  portable  audio  player  or  cellular  phone  battery  will  be  dep leted  quickly
when the device is connected to Bluetooth
®.
■ When using the Bluetooth
®  audio  and  hands-free  system  at  the  same
time
The following problems may occur.
● The Bluetooth
® audio connection may be interrupted.
● Noise may be heard during Bluetooth
® audio playback.
■ About the contact in this system
The  following  data  is  stored  for  every  registered  cellular  phone.  When
another phone is connecting, you cannot read the registered dat a.
● Contact data
● Call history
● Favorite
● Message
When  removing  a  Bluetooth
®  phone  from  the  system,  the  above-mentioned
data is also deleted. 
     
        
        Page 394 of 600
3946-4. Other interior features
PRIUS c_U
Please use as a power supply for electronic goods that use less than
12 VDC/10 A (power c onsumption of 120 W).
Open the lid.
■ The power outlet can be used when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The power switch is in the “ACC” or “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The power switch is in ACCESSORY or ON mode.
■ When stopping the hybrid system
Disconnect electrical devices with charging functions, such as  mobile battery
packs.
If such devices are left connected, the hybrid system may not s top normally.
Power outlet
NOTICE
●To  avoid  damaging  the  power  outlet,  close  the  power  outlet  lid  when  the
power  outlet  is  not  in  use.  Foreign  objects  or  liquids  that  ent er  the  power
outlet may cause a short circuit.
● To  prevent  12-volt  battery  discharge,  do  not  use  the  power  outl et  longer
than necessary when the hybrid system is off.