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Hybrid system

Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different fromconventional vehicles. Be sure you are closely familiar with the char-acteristics of your vehicle, and operate with care.

The hybrid system combines a gasoline engine and an electricmotor (traction motor) according to driving conditions, improvingfuel efficiency and reducing exhaust emissions.

Gasoline engineElectric motor (Traction motor)

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n Regenerative brakingThe motor generator converts kinetic energy to electric energy when:

l The accelerator pedal is released.

l The brake pedal is depressed with the shift lever in “D” or “B”.

n Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stopThe gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stopautomatically in the following conditions:

l The gasoline engine is warming up.

l The hybrid battery (traction battery) is being charged.

l The hybrid battery (traction battery) temperature is low or high.

n When stopped/during take-off The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped. Duringtake-off, the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehicle. Atslow speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the engineis stopped and the motor is used.

n During normal drivingThe gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor(traction motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) asnecessary.

n When accelerating sharplyThe power of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is added viaelectric motor (traction motor) to that of the gasoline engine.

n When braking (Regenerative brake)The electric motor (traction motor) charges the hybrid battery(traction battery).

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n Charging the batteryl As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the

battery does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, ifthe vehicle is left parked for a long time the hybrid battery will slowly dis-charge. For this reason, be sure to drive the vehicle at least once everyseveral months for at least 30 minutes or 10 miles (16 km). If the hybridbattery becomes fully discharged and you are unable to jump-start thevehicle with the 12 volt battery, contact your Toyota dealer.

l If the shift lever is in “N”, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not becharged. When driving in heavy traffic, operate the vehicle with the shiftlever in “D” to avoid discharging the battery.

n After the 12 volt battery has discharged or has been changed orremoved The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybridbattery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Toyotadealer.

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n Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicleThere may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is ableto move. Always put the shift lever in “P” when parked.

The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system isoperating, and are not a malfunction.

l Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.

l Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behindthe rear seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.

l Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door lid isopen.

l Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the hybrid systemstarts or stops.

l Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.

l Sounds may be heard from the regenerative brake when you press thebrake pedal.

l Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.

l You may hear cooling fan sounds coming from the air intake vents behindthe rear seat.

n Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposalContact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

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High voltage components

Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it contains a high volt-age system (about 500V at maximum) as well as parts that becomeextremely hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the cautionlabels attached to the vehicle.

Air conditioning compressorHigh voltage cables (orangecolor)Power control unitElectric motor (Tractionmotor)

Hybrid battery (Traction bat-tery)Service plugCaution label

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n Hybrid battery air vent

Hybrid battery air vent

There is an air intake vent on theside of the rear right seatback forthe purpose of cooling the hybridbattery (traction battery). If thevent becomes blocked, the hybridbattery may overheat, leading toa reduction in hybrid battery out-put.

Emergency shut off system

The emergency shut off system blocks off the high voltage currentand stops the fuel pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuelleakage when a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sen-sor. If the emergency shut off system activates, your vehicle will notrestart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.

Energy monitor/consumption screen

You can view the status of your hybrid system on the touch screen(→P. 182). The following images are examples only, and may varyslightly from actual conditions.

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n Energy monitorHow to display on the touch screen:

Press .

Touch or on the “Information” screen.

If the “Consumption” screen is displayed, touch or

.

How to display with steering switch:

Press .

If the “Consumption” screen is displayed, press .

Touch screen

Type A Type B

When the vehicle is powered by the elec-tric motor (traction motor)

When the vehicle is powered by both the gasoline engine and the electric motor (traction motor)

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 1

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Touch screen

Type A Type B

When the vehicle is charging the hybrid battery (traction bat-tery)

When there is no energy flow

Hybrid battery (trac-tion battery) status

Low Full Low Full

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n ConsumptionHow to display on the touch screen:

Press .

Touch or on the “Information” screen.

If the “Energy Monitor” screen is displayed, touch or

.

How to display with steering switch:

Press .

If the “Consumption” screen is displayed, press .

Type A

Fuel consumption in the past30 minutesRegenerated energy in thepast 30 minutesOne symbol indicates 50 Wh.Up to 4 symbols are shown.Average fuel consumption

Type BInstantaneous fuel consump-tionOutside temperature

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 1

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Hybrid warning message

A message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs inthe hybrid system or an improper operation is attempted.

If a warning message is shownon the touch screen, read themessage and follow the instruc-tions.

n Resetting the consumption data

Touching or will reset the “Average fuel consumption”.

n If a warning light comes on or a warning message is displayed, or the12 volt battery is disconnectedThe hybrid system may not start. In that case, try to start the system again. Ifthe “READY” light does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.

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CAUTION

n High voltage precautionsThe vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12 volt sys-tem. DC and AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe burnsand electric shock that may result in death or serious injury.

l Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts,cables and their connectors.

l The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses highvoltage. Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, andalways obey the caution labels attached to the vehicle.

l Never try to open the service plug access hole located in the luggage com-partment. The service plug is used only when the vehicle is serviced and issubject to high voltage.

n Nickel-metal hydride batteryYour vehicle contains a sealed nickel-metal hydride battery. If disposed ofimproperly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severeburns and electrical shock that may result in death or serious injury.

n Emergency shut off systeml Carefully check to see if there are exposed high voltage parts or cables.

Never touch the parts or cables. (→P. 26)

l Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid hasleaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leavethe vehicle as soon as possible.

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CAUTION

n Road accident cautionsObserve the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.

l Pull your vehicle off the road, put the shift lever in “P”, apply the parkingbrake, turn the hybrid system off.

l Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.

l If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electricshock may occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.

l If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch it as it may be strong alkaline electrolytefrom the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with yourskin or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or if pos-sible, boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.

l If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible.Never use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using evena small amount of water may be dangerous.

l If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the front wheels raised. If thewheels with the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground whentowing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may cause anelectricity leakage leading to a fire. (→P. 413)

NOTICE

n Hybrid battery air ventl Do not put foreign objects over the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction

battery) may overheat and be damaged.

l Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)from overheating.

l Do not wet the air vent. It may cause a short circuit and damage the hybridbattery (traction battery).

l Do not load a large amount of water such as an aquarium into the vehicle.If water spills over the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may bedamaged.

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