762-1. Plug-in hybrid system
from an external power source.
■If the plug-in hybrid system
operation mode cannot be
changed
In the following situations, the plug-
in hybrid system operation mode
cannot be changed even if the
AUTO EV/HV mode switch or
EV/HV mode selection switch is
pressed. (In this case, the warning
message is displayed on the multi-
information displa y when the switch
is pressed.)
●When electricity needed for EV
driving is not remaining (when in
EV mode or AUTO EV/HV mode)
●When the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is almost completely
charged (hybrid battery [traction
battery] charge mode)
■When switching from EV mode
to another mode using the
switch
When the power switch is turned off,
operation mode switching is can-
celed and the system returns to EV
mode the next time the vehicle is
started.
*
*
: If there is not enough charge remaining in the hybrid battery
(traction battery) to allow EV driv-
ing, the system switches to HV
mode.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
charge mode
●The following may occur to protect the system, etc.
• Cannot switch to hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode or
cannot cancel it
• Gasoline engine does not start or stops even after switching to
hybrid battery (traction battery)
charge mode
●If a load to the system is large,
such as when the power con-
sumption of the air conditioning
system is large or when the tem-
perature of the engine coolant is
high, it may take longer time than
usual to charge using the hybrid
battery (traction battery) charge
mode, or charging to the hybrid
battery (traction battery) may not
be performed.
■When in EV mode
In EV mode, EV driving (driving
WARNING
■When using the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) charge
mode
Observe the following precautions
when using the hybrid battery
(traction battery) charge mode
while parking.
Failure to do so may lead to death
or serious health hazard, as the
gasoline engine operates when in
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charge mode.
●Do not stop the vehicle near
flammable materials.
●Do not use the hybrid battery
(traction battery) charge mode
in a closed area where ventila-
tion is insufficient, such as in a
garage or area with snow
buildup.
Control when driving in
each mode
782-1. Plug-in hybrid system
When the accelerator pedal is
depressed heavily, drive force
from both the gasoline engine
and the electric motor (trac-
tion motor) is used to acceler-
ate.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction
battery) requires charging or the
engine is warming up, etc., the
gasoline engine will not automati-
cally stop. ( P.79)
■When braking (regenera-
tive braking)
The electric motor (traction
motor) charges the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery).
The EV driving range can be
extended by actively using this
regenerative braking to store
electricity in the hybrid battery
(traction battery).
Moreover, as fuel consumption
is also reduced when in HV
mode, the regenerative braking
system can be used effectively.
■Regenerative braking
●In the following situations, kinetic
energy is converted to electric
energy and deceleration force can
be obtained in conjunction with
the recharging of the hybrid bat-
tery (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 position
in D or B.
●The Regeneration Boost oper-
ates when the shift position is
shifted to B. The regenerative
braking force can be changed when the Regeneration Boost is
operating. (
P.260)
■EV driving range
●The EV driving range is displayed
on the meter. ( P.155)
●The EV driving range changes in
accordance with the charge status
of the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery), the speed of the vehicle, etc.
●Even if there is enough charge
remaining in the hybrid battery
(traction battery), EV driving may
be canceled and both gasoline
engine and electric motor are
used depending on the situation.
( P.79)
■EV indicator
The EV indicator comes on when
the vehicle is driven using only the
electric motor (traction motor) or the
gasoline engine is stopped.
The on/off operation of the EV indi-
cator can be changed. ( P.166)
■After EV mode has switched to
HV mode due to low hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) charge
If the hybrid battery (traction battery)
is regenerated by driving continu-
ously down a long slope, the EV
driving range etc. will be displayed
on the meter an d EV mode will be
automatically switched to.
If EV mode is not switched to even
though EV driving range is being
displayed, EV mode can be
switched to by pressing the EV/HV
mode selection switch.
792-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
■Gasoline engine operation in
EV mode or AUTO EV/HV mode
Even if there is a sufficient amount
of electricity remain ing in the hybrid
battery (traction battery) and EV
driving range ( P.155) is being dis-
played on the meter, 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 auto-
matically after EV driving becomes
possible again).
EV driving may be canceled auto-
matically in the following circum-
stances
*1:
●When vehicle speed is more than
approximately 84 mph (135 km/h).
●When power is needed temporar-
ily, for example when the acceler-
ator pedal is depressed firmly or
when accelerating suddenly.
*2
●When the temperature of the
hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the
sun, driven on a h ill, 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. ( P.434)
●When the system determines that
the gasoline engine needs to be
started.
*1: The gasoline engine may also
operate in circumstances other
than those listed above, depend-
ing on conditions.
*2: When driving in AUTO EV/HV mode. Even in EV mode, the gas-
oline engine may start, depend-
ing on the condition of the hybrid
battery (traction battery).
■If “Engine Started to Protect
System EV driving unavailable”
is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
EV driving may be canceled in order
to protect the hybrid system, etc.
In this case, perform driving with the
gasoline engine until EV driving will
be returned to automatically.
Depending on the conditions, driv-
ing that combines the use of the
gasoline engine may continue for a
short while. However, this is not a
malfunction.
■Conditions in which the gaso-
line 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 bat-
tery) charging
●When the temperature of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is
high or low
●When the windshield defogger
switch is pressed. ( P.434)
*: Depending on the circumstances,
the gasoline engine may also not
stop automatically in situations
other than those above.
■Sounds and vibrations specific
to a Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle
Because there is no engine sound
or vibration, it is easy to mistake the
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle for
being off when it is actually still run-
ning, as indicated by the “READY”
indicator being illuminated. For
safety, make sure to always shift the
shift position to P and apply the
parking brake when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations
may occur when the hybrid system
is operating and are not a malfunc-
tion.
802-1. Plug-in hybrid system
●Motor sounds may be heard from
the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
when the hybrid system starts or
stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a
snap or soft clank will be emitted
from the hybrid battery (traction
battery), under the rear seats or
under the floor, when the hybrid
system 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 driv-
ing 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.
●Sounds may be heard from near
the hybrid battery (traction battery)
in accordance with the operation
of the air conditioning system or
battery cooler. ( P.109)
■Maintenance, repair, recycling,
and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regard-
ing maintenance, repair, recycling
and disposal. Do not dispose of the
vehicle yourself.
In order to make EV mode or
AUTO EV/HV mode available,
charge the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) from an external
power source before using the
vehicle.
Even if charging the hybrid battery
(traction battery) has not been com-
pleted, the vehicle can be driven.
However, if there is not enough
charge remaining, it is possible that
the vehicle cannot be driven in EV
mode or AUTO EV/HV mode or the
EV driving range will become
shorter.
■Refilling fuel
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles can
be driven using electricity charged
from an external power source.
However, as the gasoline engine is
used depending on the situation
( P.79) even if in EV mode or
AUTO EV/HV mode, and the gaso-
line engine is provided on board as
a power source for driving in HV
mode, it is needed to refueling the
vehicle.
Check the fuel amount and refill
immediately when the fuel level
becomes low. ( P.279)
■If the vehicle is not used for a
long time
●The 12-volt battery may dis-
charge. In this event, charge the
12-volt battery. ( P.589)
In order to prevent the hybrid bat-
tery (traction batt ery) from becom-
ing extremely low in charge,
Charging ( P.94)
812-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
charge the hybrid battery (traction
battery) from external power
source or start the hybrid system
at least once every 2 or 3 months,
and turn the power switch off after
the gasoline engine has stopped
automatically. (If the gasoline
engine does not start up even
after approximately 10 seconds
have passed since the “READY”
indicator came on, the power
switch can be turned to off without
any further action.)
When the 12-volt battery is dis-
charged, refer to P.589, “If the 12-
volt battery is discharged” and
perform the correction procedure.
●When the vehicle is left with the
AC charging cable connected, the
electricity consumption amount of
the 12-volt battery increases due
to controls, such as the system
checking, operating. When the AC
charging cable is not needed,
remove it from the vehicle.
When driving with the gasoline
engine stopped, a sound, which
changes in accordance with the
driving speed, will be played in
order to warn people nearby of
the vehicle’s approach. The
sound will stop when the vehicle
speed exceeds approximately
22 mph (35 km/h).
■Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Sys-
tem
In the following cases, the Acoustic
Vehicle Alerting System may be dif-
ficult for surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the Acoustic Vehicle Alert- ing System is installed on the front
of the vehicle, it may be more diffi-
cult to hear from the rear of the vehi-
cle compared to the front.
■When “Acoustic Vehicle Alert-
ing System Malfunction Visit
your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Sys-
tem may be malfunctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
*: This function can only be used in the mainland U.S.A. It cannot be
used in other states and territo-
ries, including Alaska and Hawaii.
This system operates based on
the driving situation and traffic
information to enhance fuel
economy.
For details about Predictive effi-
cient drive, refer to “MULTIME-
DIA OWNER’S MANUAL”.
■Predictive deceleration sup-
port
When the vehicle approaches
to predictive deceleration sup-
port points registered in the
navigation system, the refer-
ence operation range ( ) of
the ECO Accelerator Guid-
ance ( P.163) on the multi-
information display will be
turned off to encourage the
driver to reduce excessive
acceleration.
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting
System
Predictive efficient drive
(vehicles with navigation
system)
*
A
832-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual
item.
Caution label
High voltage cables (orange)
AC charging inlet
Onboard traction battery charger
Service plug
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Electric motor (traction motor)
Power control unit and DC/DC converter
Air conditioning compressor
Plug-in hybrid system precautions
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it contains a
high voltage system (about 650V at maximum) as well as
parts that become extremely hot when the hybrid system is
operating. Obey the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
System components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
892-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
gently and a timely manner.
A greater amount of electrical
energy can be regenerated
when slowing down.
Repeated acceleration and
deceleration, as well as long
waits at traffic lights, will lead to
high fuel and electricity con-
sumption. Check traffic reports
before leaving and avoid delays
as much as possible. When driv-
ing 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 excessive
electricity and fuel consumption.
Control and maintain the vehi-
cle 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 or AUTO EV/HV mode.
If there will be a long distance
to the next external charging
point after leaving a freeway, it is recommended to drive in
HV mode while on the free-
way and change to EV mode
or AUTO EV/HV mode after
leaving the freeway. (
P.74)
Turn the “A/C” switch off
when it is not needed. Doing
so can help reduce excessive
electricity and fuel consump-
tion.
In summer: When the ambient tem-
perature is high, use the recircu-
lated air mode. Doin g so will help to
reduce the burden on the air condi-
tioning system and reduce electric-
ity and fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Avoid excessive and
unnecessary use of the heater.
Usage of the heated steering wheel
(if equipped) and seat heaters (if
equipped) are effective. ( P.443)
Make sure to check the tire infla-
tion pressure frequently. If there
is improper tire inflation pres-
sure in the tires, the EV driving
range will become shorter, and
fuel consumption when in HV
mode will increase.
Also, as snow tires can cause
large amounts of friction, their
use on dry roads can lead to
increased fuel and electricity
consumption.
Delays
Highway driving
Air conditioning
Checking tire inflation
pressure
912-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
automatically records the elec-
tricity consumption when being
charged and uses the electricity
consumption for estimating the
EV driving range. Therefore, the
EV driving range displayed
when the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is fully charged may dif-
fer 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 con-
sumption based on the recorded
value is stable (for approxi-
mately the first month or two).
However, this does not indicate
a malfunction.
When the air conditioning sys-
tem is turned on, the EV driving
range (with using the air condi-
tioning system) is estimated
based on the past air condition-
ing electricity consumption
amount considering that the
electricity consumption may
become higher.
The distance that EV driving is
possible varies significantly
depending on how the vehicle is
driven, road conditions, the
weather, the outside tempera-
ture, usage conditions of electri-
cal components and the number of occupants.
The distance that EV driving is
possible can be extended if the
following is performed:
■When starting off, depress
the accelerator pedal
smoothly to accelerate
As a guide, accelerate up to
approximately 12mph (20 km/h)
in the first 5 seconds.
Electrical and fuel efficiency can
be improved just by using the
ECO Accelerator Guidance dis-
played on the multi-information
display and taking care to start
off gently. ( P.163)
When the driving mode is set to
Eco drive mode, depressing the
accelerator pedal generates
smooth torque that makes it easier
to operate the accelerator gently.
At the same time, the air condition-
ing control is switched to eco air
conditioning mode ( P.437) to
reduce the strength of the air condi-
tioning operation.
■Maintain sufficient vehicle-
to-vehicle distance and do
not accelerate or decelerate
unnecessarily
Try to maintain a fixed speed
while driving. Driving at a short
vehicle-to-vehicle distance will
result in repeating wasteful
acceleration and deceleration,
which will worsen the electrical
and fuel efficiency.
Tips for extending the EV
driving range