
871-4. Hybrid system
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1
For safety and security
■Sounds and vibrations sp ecific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehic le is able to
move with the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For safety, app ly the parking
brake and make sure to shift the shift position to P when parke d.
The  following  sounds  or  vibrations  may  occur  when  the  hybrid  sy stem  is
operating and are not a malfunction:
● Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds  may  be  heard  from  the  hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  under  the
rear seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Relay operating sounds such as a snap or soft clank will be emi tted from the
hybrid  battery  (traction  battery),  under  the  rear  seats,  when  the  hybrid  sys-
tem is started or stopped. 
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is open.
● Sounds  may  be  heard  from  the  transmission  when  the  gasoline  engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake  pedal is
depressed or as the accelerator pedal is released.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent. ( P. 89)
■ Vehicle proximity notification system
In  the  following  cases,  the  vehicle  proximity  notification  syst em  may  be  diffi-
cult for surrounding people to hear.
● In very noisy areas
● In the wind or the rain
Also,  as  the  vehicle  proximity  notification  system  is  installed   on  the  front  of
the vehicle, it may be more difficult to hear from the rear of  the  vehicle  com-
pared to the front.
■ When  “Proximity  Notification  Syst em  Malfunction  Visit  Your  Dealer”  is
displayed on the multi-information display
The  vehicle  proximity  notification  system  may  be  malfunctioning .  Have  the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recyc ling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself. 

891-4. Hybrid system
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
1
For safety and security
There  is  an  air  intake  vent  under
the  right  side  of  the  rear  seat  for
the  purpose  of  cooling  the  hybrid
battery  (traction  battery).  If  the
vent  is  blocked,  charging/dis-
charging  of  the  hybrid  battery
(traction battery) may become lim-
ited.
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.
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
Emergency shut off system 
Hybrid warning message 

941-4. Hybrid system
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction  battery) air intake vent
● Make  sure  not  to  block  the  air  intake  vent  with  anything,  such  as  a  seat
cover,  plastic  cover,  or  luggage.  If  the  vent  is  blocked,  the  charging/dis-
charging of the hybrid battery (traction battery) may become li mited.
● 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  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, refer to P. 551.
● If  “Maintenance  required  for  Traction  battery  cooling  parts  See   owner’s
manual” is shown on the  multi-information display,  the air intake  vent and
filter  may  be  clogged.  Refer  to  P.  551  for  information  on  how  to  clean  the
air intake vent. 

4385-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
Press  .
Adjust the temperature setting. ( P.   4 3 6 )
Press  .
The cooling and dehumidificati on function switches between on a nd
off each time   is pressed.
To stop the operation, press  .
■Automatic mode indicator
If the fan speed setting or air flow modes are operated, the 
indicator  goes  off.  However,  automatic  mode  for  functions  other
than that operat ed is maintained.
This function automatically contro ls the air conditioning airflow so that
priority  is  given  to  the  front  seats.  When  the  front  passenger  seat  is
not  occupied,  airflow  may  switch  to  only  the  driver’s  seat.  Unn eces-
sary air conditioning is suppressed, contributing to increased fuel effi-
ciency.
Front  seat  concentrated  airflow  mode  operates  in  the  following  situa-
tions.
● No passengers are dete cted in the rear seats
● The windshield defogger is not operating
While operating,   illuminates.
Using automatic mode
Front seat concentrated  airflow mode (S-FLOW)
1
2
3
4 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4435-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Fogging up of the windows
●The  windows  will  easily  fog  up  when  the  humidity  in  the  vehicle  is  high.
Turning    on  will  dehumidify  the  air  from  the  outlets  and  defog  the
windshield effectively.
● If you turn   off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-
cle after closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake mode be
set to outside air mode and the fan speed to any setting except off.
■ 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.
■ Fresh air intake system while parking
When  parking,  the  system  automatically  switches  to  outside  air  mode  to
encourage  better  air  circulation  throughout  the  vehicle,  helpin g  to  reduce
odors that occur when starting the vehicle.
■ Operation  of  the  air  conditioning  system  in  the  air  conditionin g  eco
mode
● In the air conditioning eco mode, the air conditioning system i s controlled as
follows to prioritize fuel efficiency:
• Engine  speed  and  compressor  operation  controlled  to  restrict  h eating/
cooling capacity
• Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
● To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following  operations:
• Adjust the fan speed
• Adjust the temperature setting
• Turn off the air conditioning eco mode
● When the  driving  mode  is set  to Eco  driving mode,  the air condi tioning eco
mode will be turned on automatically. Even in this case, the ai r conditioning
eco mode can be turned off by pressing  . ( P. 347)
■ When the outside tempera ture falls to nearly 32F (0 C)
The dehumidification function may not operate even when   is pressed. 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
4535-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle  is high. 
Turning   on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the
windshield effectively.
● If you turn   off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-
cle after closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake mode be
set to outside air mode and the fan speed to any setting except off.
■ 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.
■ Fresh air intake system while parking
When  parking,  the  system  automatically  switches  to  outside  air  mode  to
encourage  better  air  circulation  throughout  the  vehicle,  helpin g  to  reduce
odors that occur when starting the vehicle.
■ Operation  of  the  air  conditioning  system  in  the  air  conditionin g  eco
mode
● In the air conditioning eco mode, the air conditioning system i s controlled as
follows to prioritize fuel efficiency:
• Engine  speed  and  compressor  operation  controlled  to  restrict  h eating/
cooling capacity
• Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
● To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following  operations:
• Adjust the fan speed
• Adjust the temperature setting
• Turn off the air conditioning eco mode
● When the  driving  mode  is set  to Eco  driving mode,  the air condi tioning eco
mode will be turned on automatically. Even in this case, the ai r conditioning
eco mode can be turned off by selecting  . ( P. 347)
■ When the outside tempera ture falls to nearly 32F (0 C)
The  dehumidification  function  may  not  operate  even  when    is
selected. 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
5136-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Tire inflation 
pressure 
( P. 542)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
( P.   5 3 0 )• Water  or  washer  fluid  containing  antifreeze  (for  win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
WARNING
The  engine  compartment  contains  many  mechanisms  and  fluids  that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
● Make sure that the “Accessory”, “Ignition ON” or mileage displa y 
( P. 116) on the main display and the “READY” indicator are both  off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan.
● Be  careful  not  to  touch  the  engine,  power  control  unit,  radiator,  exhaust
manifold,  etc.  right  after  driving  as  they  may  be  hot.  Oil  and  other  fluids
may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and r ags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes
are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the 12-volt battery. It c ontains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■ When working near the electric  cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may  automati-
cally start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. ( P. 524)
■ Safety glasses
Wear  safety  glasses  to  prevent  flying  or  falling  material,  fluid  spray,  etc.
from getting in your eyes.
ItemsParts and tools 

518
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 522)
Fuse boxes  ( P. 563)
Engine oil level dipstick  ( P. 519)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 520)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 528) 12-volt battery (
P. 524)
Power control  unit coolant 
reservoir  ( P. 522)
Radiator  ( P. 524)
Condenser  ( P. 524)
Electric cooling fans
Washer fluid tank  ( P. 530)1
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