28
PRIUS PRIME_QG_OM47D86U_(U)
3. Basic operation
■Starting the hybrid systemCheck that the charging cable is disconnected.
Check that the park ing brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake
pedal.
and a message will be
displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display.
When the shift position is N, the
hybrid system cannot start. Shift
the shift position to P when start-
ing the hybrid system.
Press the power switch
shortly and firmly.
When operating the power
switch, one short, firm press is
enough. It is not necessary to
press and hold the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns
on, the hybrid system will oper-
ate normally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until the “READY” indicator is illu-
minated.
The hybrid system can be started from any power switch mode.
Check that the “R EADY” indicator is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a sol id light and
the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on even if the
engine is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or stops automat ically in
accordance with the state of the vehicle.)
How to operate the pow er (ignition) switch
1
2
3
4
5
PRIUS PRIME_QG_OM47D86U_(U)
313. Basic operation
3
Basic operation
Shift the shift position to P.
Check that the P position is
highlighted on the shift posi-
tion indicator, and release the
brake pedal gently after
applying the parking brake.
■About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pe dal will apply
engine braking.
● When the vehicle is driven at high speeds, compared to ordinary gasoline-
fueled vehicles, the engine braking deceleration is felt less t han that of other
vehicles.
● The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is se lected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel e fficiency will
become low. Usually, select the D position.
2
NOTICE
■ Hybrid battery (tract ion battery) charge
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction bat tery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid leaving the N
position selected for an extended period of time.
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PRIUS PRIME_QG_OM47D86U_(U)
4. Things you must know
Things you must know
■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 while driving with the shift position in D or
B.
● The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift posit ion in D or B.
■ Gasoline engine operation in EV/EV auto mode
Even if there is a sufficient amount of electricity remaining in the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) and EV driving range is being displayed on the multi-
information display etc., EV driving (driving using only the electric motor) may
be canceled and both gasoline engine and electric motor are used depending
on the situation (EV driving will be returned to automatically after EV driving
becomes possible again).
EV driving may be canceled automatically in the following circu mstances:
● When vehicle speed is more than approximately 84 mph (135 km/h) .
● When power is needed temporarily, for example when the accelera tor pedal
is depressed firmly or when accelerating suddenly.
*
● When the temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds,
etc.
● When the temperature of the hybrid system is low.
● When the heater is switched on when the outside temperature is below
about 14°F (-10°C).
● When the windshield defogger switch is pressed.
● When the system determines that the gasoline engine needs to be started.
The gasoline engine may also operate in circumstances other tha n those
listed above, depending on conditions.
*: When traveling in the EV auto mode only
■ 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 windshield defogger switch is pressed.
*: Depending on the circumstances, the gasoline engine may also not stop
automatically in situations other than those above.
PRIUS PRIME_QG_OM47D86U_(U)
394. Things you must know
4
Things you must know
WARNING
■While driving
The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the v ehicle is
powered only by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine
noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement. Even though
the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle proximity notification system, drive
with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not notice the vehicle if the
surrounding area is noisy.
NOTICE
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake 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 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 wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vents a s 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.
● A filter is installed to the air intake vent. When the filter r emains noticeably
dirty even after cleaning the air intake vent, filter cleaning or replacement
is recommended. When cleaning the filter, refer to “OWNER’S MAN UAL”.
There are air intake vents on both sides
of the rear seatback for the purpose of
cooling the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery). If the vents are blocked, charging/
discharging of the hybrid battery (traction
battery) may become limited.
40
PRIUS PRIME_QG_OM47D86U_(U)
4. Things you must know
NOTICE
■Onboard traction battery charger cooling air intake vents
● Do not block the air intake vents with seat covers or luggage
● If the air intake vents are clogged with dust, clean them with a vacuum
cleaner
● Do not allow water or foreign matter to enter the air intake ve nts
● Do not spill large amounts of water near the air intake vents
If water is spilled, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer and do
not charge the hybrid battery (traction battery) before the ins pection.
■ 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 5.3 gal.(20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.) of fuel every 12 m onths (refuel a
total of at least 5.3 gal. [20 L, 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 ti me 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.
The grilles under the rear seats are the
cooling air intake vents for the onboard
traction battery charger installed under
the seats.
Make sure to observe the following pre-
cautions regarding the cooling air intake
vents. Failure to observe these precau-
tions may result in a charging system
malfunction.