5195-6. Driving tips
5
Driving
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the specified size.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive at speeds in excess of the speed limit or the speed limit spec-
ified for the snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 50 km/h (30 mph), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
● Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing Assist).
■ When parking the vehicle
When parking the vehicle without applying the parking brake, make sure to
chock the wheels. If you do not chock the wheels, the vehicle may move
unexpectedly, possibly resulting in an accident.
NOTICE
■ Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer or legitimate
tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the opera-
tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■ Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.
5296-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
6
Interior features
■Heating
● In HV mode, the gasoline engine may operate in order to extract heat from
the engine coolant via the heater.
● In EV mode, heating is done by a heat pump system.
• When the outside temperature is low or it is snowing, compared to con-
ventional vehicles, heating may be less effective and warm air may not
come out.
• If frost has formed on the outside heat exchanger, the heating perfor-
mance will decline. The frost can be removed from the outside heat
exchanger by operating the Remote Ai r Conditioning System before driv-
ing ( P. 535). When frosted over, the heating operation of the Remote
Air Conditioning System starts after defrosting.
• When is turned on, the heating is controlled optimally. Therefore,
the set heating performance may not be achieved even if the fan speed
setting is increased.
● In the following situations the gasoline engine may operate in order to
extract heat from the engine coolant via the heater even in EV mode.
• The outside temperature is approx imately -10°C (14°F) or low
• is operating
■ Using automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically according to the temperature setting and
the ambient conditions.
Therefore, the fan may stop for a while until warm or cool air is ready to flow
immediately after is pressed.
• When the outside heat exchanger is
frosted over, fan speed declines and it
may become harder to heat the inte-
rior. However, it is not a malfunction.
In this situation, the air temperature
from the outlets may not change even
though the set temperature is raised.Outside heat exchanger
5326-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
■Operation of the air conditioning system when the blower customization
is set to “ECO”
●In the “ECO” mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to
prioritize fuel efficiency:
• Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/
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
• Set the blower customization to “FAST” or “NORMAL” mode.
●When the driving mode is set to Eco driving mode, the fan speed setting
mode will be changed to “ECO” mode automatically. Even in this case, the
fan speed control mode can be changed by pressing . (P. 418)
■When the outside temperature falls to nearly 0C (32F)
The dehumidification function may not operate even when is pressed.
■Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let the fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air mode.
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to
be emitted from the vents.
●In order to suppress odors that occur when the air conditioning system
starts, fresh air is automatically taken in when parked.
●To reduce potential odors from occurring, the start timing of the blower may
be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning
system is started in automatic mode.
■Air conditioning filter
P. 625
■Customization
Settings (e.g. A/C auto switching operation) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 726)
565
7Maintenance and care
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior .......... 566
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior ........... 572
7-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements.................... 578
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions ...................... 581
Hood .................................. 584
Positioning a floor jack ....... 586
Engine compartment.......... 587
Tires ................................... 600
Tire inflation pressure ........ 608
Wheels ............................... 610
Replacing the tire ............... 612
Air conditioning filter .......... 625
Wiper insert
replacement ..................... 629
Electronic key battery ........ 632
Checking and replacing
fuses ................................ 635
Light bulbs ......................... 639
5687-1. Maintenance and care
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
WARNING
■When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
■ While charging
Do not wash the vehicle.
Doing so may cause the electrical components to malfunction or catch fire
and also you may get an electric shock that may result in death or serious
injury.
■ When cleaning the windshield
● When a wet rag or similar is held close to the raindrop sensor
● If something bumps against the windshield
● If you directly touch the raindrop sensor body or if something bumps into
the raindrop sensor
■ Precautions regarding the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has
cooled sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.
■ Precaution regarding the rear bumper with Blind Spot Monitor (if
equipped)
If the paint of the rear bumper is chipped or scratched, the system may mal-
function. If this occurs, consult any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
Set the wiper switch to the off position.
If the wiper switch is in the posi-
tion, the wipers may operate unexpect-
edly in the following situations, and may
result in hands being caught or other
serious injuries and cause damage to the
wiper blades.
● When the upper part of the windshield
where the raindrop sensor is located is
touched by hand
Off
5797-2. Maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
■Where to go for maintenance service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition, Toyota recom-
mends that maintenance service operations as well as other inspections and
repairs be carried out by authorized Toyota retailers or Toyota authorized
repairers, or any reliable repairers. For repairs and services covered by your
warranty, please visit an authorized Toyota retailer or repairer, who will use
genuine Toyota parts in repairing any difficulties you may encounter. There
can also be advantages in utilizing authorized Toyota retailers or repairers for
non-warranty repairs and services, as members of the Toyota network will be
able to expertly assist you with any difficulties you may encounter.
Your Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer will
perform all of the scheduled maintenance on your vehicle reliably and eco-
nomically due to their experience with Toyota vehicles.
■Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs
that indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
●Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
●Appreciable loss of power
●Strange engine noises
●A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air condi-
tioning system after use is normal.)
●Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked
immediately.)
●Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
●Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
●Strange noises related to suspension movement
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost
touches the floor, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
●Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal (P. 661, 705)
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer as soon as pos-
sible. Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
5817-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery
condition
(P. 594)• Warm water • Baking soda • Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
Engine/power
control unit
coolant level
(P. 591)• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high
quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid technology
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
(P. 588)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (P. 6 3 5 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Hybrid battery
(traction battery)
air intake vent
(P. 573)
• Vacuum cleaner, etc.
• Flathead screwdriver
Light bulbs
(P. 639)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as origi-
nal
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and
condenser
(P. 593)
Tire inflation
pressure
(P. 608)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 598)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
5827-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47F38E_(EE)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become el ectrically 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 display (P. 213)
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 rags, 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 contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
● Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces. If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the
affected area with clean water immediately. If you still experience discom-
fort, consult a doctor.
■ 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. 593)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.