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1142-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents
● Make sure not to block the air intake vent with anything, such as a seat
cover, plastic cover, or luggage. If the vents are blocked, the charging/dis-
charging of the hybrid battery (traction battery) may become limited.
● When dust etc. has accumulated in the air intake vent, clean it with a vac-
uum cleaner to prevent the vent from clogging.
● Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vents as this may
cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).
● Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the
vehicle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
may be damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
● A filter is installed to the air intake vent. When the filter remains noticeably
dirty even after cleaning the air intake vent, filter cleaning or replacement
is recommended. When cleaning the filter, refer to P. 623.
■ Notice about fuel
● For plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel may remain in the tank for a long time and
undergo changes in quality depending on the how the vehicle is used.
Refuel at least 20 L (5.3 gal., 4.4 Imp.gal.) of fuel every 12 months (refuel
a total of at least 20 L [5.3 gal., 4.4 Imp.gal.] over a 12-month period), as
this may affect components of the fuel system or the gasoline engine.
● If the vehicle has not been refueled for a certain amount of time and it is
possible that the quality of the fuel remaining in the tank has changed, “No
new fuel has been added recently. Please refuel” is displayed on the multi-
information display when the power switch is turned to ON mode. If the
message is displayed, refuel the vehicle immediately.
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2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Plug-in hybrid vehicle driving tips
◆Using EV mode and HV mode effectively
Primarily using EV mode when driving in cities and using HV mode
when driving on highways (or freeways) can help conserve fuel and
electricity. (P. 98)
◆Using EV City mode
When using EV City mode, the motor output is limited and the oper-
ation of the gasoline engine can be minimized. Therefore, the vehi-
cle can be driven with only electric motor (traction motor) in city
areas, etc. (P. 98)
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accel-
erator pedal depression amount can be generated more smoothly
than it is in normal conditions. In addition, the operation of the air
conditioning system (heating/cooling) will be minimized, improving
fuel and electricity economy. (P. 468)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the Hybrid System Indi-
cator within Eco area. (P. 236)
◆Shift position operation
Shift the shift position to D when stopped at a traffic light, or driving
in heavy traffic etc. Shift the shift position to P when parking. When
using the N, there is no positive effect on fuel consumption. In the
N, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be gener-
ated. Also, when using the air conditioning system, etc., the hybrid
battery (traction battery) power is consumed.
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the fol-
lowing points:
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1162-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
●Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid abrupt acceleration and
deceleration. Gradual acceleration and deceleration will make
more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) without
having to use gasoline engine power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration. Repeated acceleration consumes
hybrid battery (traction 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 at
traffic lights, will lead to high fuel and electricity consumption.
Check traffic reports before leaving and avoid delays as much as
possible. When driving in a traffic jam, gently release the brake
pedal to allow the vehicle to move 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 release
the accelerator and gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of
electrical energy can be regenerated when slowing down.
●Electricity consumption will increase significantly when driving 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 recom-
mended to drive in HV mode while on the freeway and change to
EV mode after leaving the freeway.
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1182-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
◆Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage will lead to poor fuel economy. Avoid carry-
ing unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack will also cause
poor fuel economy.
◆Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically,
warming up is not necessary.
◆While warming up the engine
The hybrid system output may be restrained.
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2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
EV driving range
The value displayed on the multi-information display etc. (P. 225,
241, 248, 265) is estimated from the following information.
●The amount of hybrid battery (traction battery) charge currently
remaining
●The electricity consumption (the estimated distance that can be
driven in EV mode per unit of electrical energy) based on the
recorded value
●Past air conditioning system electricity consumption amount
The electricity consumption varies depending on how the vehicle is
driven. The vehicle automatically records the electricity consumption
when being charged and uses the electricity consumption for estimat-
ing the EV driving range. Therefore, the EV driving range displayed
when the hybrid battery (traction battery) is fully charged may differ
from the previous EV driving range depending on how the vehicle was
driven.
The EV driving range may change significantly with each charging
until the electricity consumption based on the recorded value is stable
(for approximately the first month or two). However, this does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
When the air conditioning system is turned on, the EV driving range
(with using the air conditioning system) is estimated based on the past
air conditioning electricity consumption amount considering that the
electricity consumption may become higher.
The EV driving range displayed on the multi-information display
etc. shows the reference distance that EV driving (driving using
only the electric motor) is possible, and the actual distance that
can be driven may differ from that displayed.
Even if the EV driving range is displayed, EV driving may be can-
celed and both gasoline engine and electric motor are used depend-
ing on the situation. (P. 104)
Displayed value
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1522-2. Charging
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Charging methods
◆Charging from an external power source (P. 165)
This is a charging method used when charging from an AC socket
(220 V-240 V) with the charging cable equipped to the vehicle or
charging at a public charging station.
The charging start time (or departure time) and day can be set to carry
out charging using the charging schedule at the desired date and time.
(P. 176)
◆Using the hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode
(P. 9 9 )
The plug-in hybrid system can be switched to hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) charge mode to charge the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) using electricity generated by gasoline engine operation.
The maximum charge amount in the hybrid battery (traction battery)
charge mode is approximately 80% of the fully charged capacity for the
charging from an external power source.
◆Solar charging system (if equipped) (P. 188)
In certain conditions, when the vehicle is parked, the hybrid battery
(traction battery) can be charged by using electricity generated by
the solar panel equipped to the roof of the vehicle.
The maximum charge amount of the solar charging system is approxi-
mately 90% of the fully charged capacity for the charging from an exter-
nal power source. (This does not mean the battery can be fully charged
in one day.)
The following methods can be used to charge the hybrid battery
(traction battery).
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2153. Instrument cluster
3
Instrument cluster
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehicle’s
systems.
Warning lights
Warning lightsPages
*1Brake system warning light (Red) P. 714
*1Brake system warning light (Yellow) P. 714
*1Charging system warning light P. 714
*1Low engine oil pressure warning light P. 715
*1Malfunction indicator lamp P. 715
*1SRS warning light P. 715
*1ABS warning light P. 715
*1Electric power steering system warning light
(Red/yellow) P. 715
*1, 2PCS warning light P. 716
LTA indicator (Orange) P. 716
*1Slip indicator light P. 716
*1High coolant temperature warning light P. 716
*1, 3PKSB OFF indicator (if equipped) P. 717
Open door warning light P. 717
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2213. Instrument cluster
3
Instrument cluster
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
WARNING
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS and SRS warning light not
come on when you start the hybrid system, this could mean that these sys-
tems are not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result
in death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer imme-
diately if this occurs.
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The engine may be overheating if the high coolant temperature warning
light comes on or flashes. In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( P. 761)