
871-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction  battery) air intake vent
● Do not place objects that will block the air intake vent. When  the air intake
vent  is  blocked,  the  battery  operations  will  be  restricted  and  cause  a
decline in fuel consumption.
● Clean  the  air  intake  vent  regularly  to  prevent  the  hybrid  batte ry  (traction
battery) from overheating.
● 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 b attery).
● Do  not  carry  large  amounts  of  water  such  as  water  cooler  bottle s  in  the
vehicle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction batt ery), the battery
may be damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota deale r.
● There  is  a  filter  installed  to  the  air  intake  vent.  When  the  fi lter  remains
noticeably  dirty  even  after  cleaning  the  air  intake  vent,  filte r  cleaning  or
replacement  is  recommended.  For  information  regarding  filter  cl eaning  or
replacement, contact your Toyota dealer.
● If  “MAINTENANCE  REQUIRED  FOR  TRACTION  BATTERY  COOLING
PARTS  SEE  OWNER’S  MANUAL”  is  shown  on  the  multi-information  dis -
play, the air intake vent and filter may be clogged. Refer to P . 404 for infor-
mation on how to clean the air intake vent. 

3826-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
PRIUS c_U■
Outside/recirculated air mode
●Setting to the recirculated air mode temporarily is recommended  in prevent-
ing dirty air from entering the vehicle interior and helping to  cool the vehicle
when the outside air temperature is high.
● Outside/recirculated  air  mode  may  automatically  switch  dependin g  on  the
temperature setting or the inside temperature. 
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75 F (24 C) and the air condition-
ing system is on
● In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the  air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the power switch
is  turned  to  the  “ON”  position  (vehicles  without  a  smart  key  system)  or  the
power switch is turned to ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system).
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pre ssing  .
■ When the outside tempera ture falls to nearly 32F (0 C)
The dehumidification function may not operate even when   is pre ssed.
■ Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the out side air mode.
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle m ay enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then ca use odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It  is  recommended  that  the  air  conditioning  system  be  set  to  o utside  air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The  start  timing  of  the  blower  may  be  delayed  for  a  short  peri od  of  time
immediately  after  the  air  conditioning  system  is  started  in  aut omatic
mode.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 449
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. A/C auto switch operation) can be changed.
(Customizable features:  P. 561) 

4067-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
Start  the  hybrid  system  and  check  that  “MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED FOR TRACTION BATTERY COOLING PARTS SEE
OWNER’S  MANUAL”  is  no  longer  displayed  on  the  multi-infor-
mation display.
It  may  take  approximately  20  minu tes  for  the  warning  message  to
disappear  after  the  hybrid  syste m  is  started.  If  the  warning  mes-
sage  does  not  disappear  even  th ough  the  filter  has  been  cleaned,
have the vehicle inspect ed by your Toyota dealer.
■Caring for leather areas
Toyota recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least  twice a year to
maintain the quality of the vehicle's interior.
■ Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. U se a sponge
or  brush  to  apply  the  foam.  Rub  in  overlapping  circles.  Do  not  use  water.
Wipe dirty surfaces and let them dry. Excellent results are obt ained by keep-
ing the carpet as dry as possible.
■ Air intake vent maintenance
●If  the  vehicle  is  driven  with  the  air  intake  vent  clogged,  the  hybrid  battery
(traction battery) may overheat and the fuel consumption may in crease.
● Depending on the conditions under which the vehicle is used, th e air intake
vent may need to be cleaned more regularly.
■ Seat belts
Clean  with  mild  soap  and  lukewarm  water  using  a  cloth  or  sponge .  Also
check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cut s.
■ Cleaning the air intake vent filter
●Improper  handling  of  the  air  intake  vent  cover  and  filter  may  result  in  dam-
age to them. If you have any concerns about cleaning the filter , contact your
Toyota dealer.
● If  the  vehicle  is  driven  with  the  air  intake  vent  filter  clogged,  the  hybrid  bat-
tery (traction battery) may overheat and the fuel consumption m ay increase.
● Depending on the conditions under which the vehicle is used, th e air intake
vent filter may need to be cleaned more regularly.
6 

4077-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U■
If  “MAINTENANCE  REQUIRED  FO R  TRACTION  BATTERY  COOLING
PARTS  SEE  OWNER’S  MANUAL”  is  displayed  on  the  multi-information
display
● It is possible the air intake vent or filter is clogged due to  accumulated dust.
Clean the air intake vent and filter, referring to the cleaning  method.
● When  continuously  driven  in  this  state,  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)
may  overheat,  which  may  lead  to  the  driving  distance  by  the  ele ctric  motor
getting  shorter,  the  fuel  consumption  worsening,  and  causing  da mage.
Clean the air intake vent periodically to prevent dust, etc., f rom collecting in
the air intake vent or filter.
● If the massage in the multi-information display does not turn off, even if the
air intake vent is cleaned, have the vehicle inspected at your  Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■Water in the vehicle
● Do  not  splash  or  spill  liquid  in  the  vehicle,  such  as  on  the  floor,  in  the
hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents, and in the luggage compartment.
Doing so may cause the hybrid battery, electrical components, etc. to mal-
function or catch fire.
● Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle i nterior wet. 
( P. 41) 
An  electrical  malfunction  may  cause  the  airbags  to  deploy  or  no t  function
properly, resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Cleaning the interior (esp ecially instrument panel)
Do  not  use  polish  wax  or  polish  cleaner.  The  instrument  panel  m ay  reflect
off the  windshield, obstructing  the driver's  view  and  leading  t o  an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
■ When cleaning the hybrid batte ry (traction battery) air intake vent/filter
● Do not use water or other liquids to clean the air intake vent/ filter. If water
is  applied  to  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  or  other  co mponents,  a
malfunction or fire may occur.
● When the air intake vent cover, located below the rear seat cus hion on the
left  side  is  to  be  removed,  make  sure  to  turn  the  power  switch  off  to  stop
the hybrid system. 

5399-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
PRIUS c_U
*: The engine oil  capacity is a reference  quantity to be  used when changing
the  engine  oil.  Warm  up  the  engine  and  turn  off  the  hybrid  system,  wait
more than 5 minutes, and check the oil level on the dipstick.
■
Engine oil selection
“Toyota  Genuine  Motor  Oil”  is  used  in  your  Toyota  vehicle.  Use
Toyota approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to sat isfy
the following grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: ILSAC GF-5 multigrade engine oil
Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20
SAE  0W-20  is  the  best  choice
for  good  fuel  economy  and
good starting in cold weather.
If  SAE  0W-20  is  not  available,
SAE  5W-20  oil  may  be  used.
However,  it  must  be  replaced
with  SAE  0W-20  at  the  next  oil
change.
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Type Nickel-metal hydride battery
Voltage7.2 V/module
Capacity 6.5 Ah (3HR)
Quantity20 modules
Nominal voltage 144 V
Lubrication system
Oil  capacity  (Drain  and
refill reference
*)
With filter
Without filter 3.9 qt. (3.7 L, 3.3 Imp. qt.)
3.6 qt. (3.4 L, 3.0 Imp. qt.)
Outside temperature