Get FEATURES ON NEW TOYOTA VEHICLE - Toyota hybrid system Guide for Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

SECTION 1– 2

FEATURES ON NEW TOYOTA VEHICLE

Toyota hybrid system

Toyota hybrid system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Toyota hybrid system operating conditionn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Starting your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

For efficient use of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Precautions for use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

7

Toyota hybrid system

operating condition

Toyota hybrid system

Toyota hybrid system combines the

gasoline engine and the electric motor

power to improve the fuel economy

largely and minimize the emissions as

well as to provide higher power perfor-

mance than the ordinary gasoline−pow-

ered vehicles.

Since the battery is charged by the

gasoline engine as needed, it does not

require charging from the outside like

an electric vehicle.

Basic operations are described below. Be-

sides, Toyota hybrid system performs vari-

ous controls depending on the operating

condition, such as at the time of hybrid

system starting, at the time of charging

should be required, at the time of the air

conditioning is in use, etc.

In this way, greatly improved fuel economy

and reduced emissions are attained.

If you do not use the vehicle for a long

time, the hybrid vehicle battery will dis-

charge and the battery condition is liable

to decline.

Depending on the driving condition, the

vehicle runs on the best combination of;

D Gasoline engine power

D Electric motor power generated by

the gasoline engine

D Electric motor power of the hybrid

vehicle battery

Furthermore, the energy is effectively used

in the following ways:

D When stopping the vehicle, the gaso-

line engine is automatically stopped.

D When decreasing the speed by apply-

ing the brakes, electricity converted

from the turning force of the wheels is

stored in the hybrid vehicle battery.

(This is called regenerative brake.)

8

12p016a

12p017a

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Electric power

in use

Gasoline power

in use

Electric and gasoline

power in use

When starting or backing up, etc., the

gasoline engine efficiency worsens, so

the vehicle runs on electric power from

hybrid vehicle battery.

During normal driving, the vehicle runs

mainly on gasoline power. However, the

electric motor, using electric power gener-

ated by the gasoline engine, makes up for

any deficiency of gasoline power.

When driving at full throttle, electric

power is further applied from the hybrid

vehicle battery. Vehicle performance impro-

ves.

The vehicle controls the optimum ratio of

the gasoline and electric power to help

save energy more effectively.

9

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12p020a

12p030

Storing electric power

Not in use

Charging hybrid vehicle battery

When decreasing speed or applying the

When stopping, the gasoline engine auto-

brakes, the turning force of the wheels

matically shuts off.

When the hybrid vehicle battery power is

insufficient, the gasoline engine charges

the hybrid vehicle battery. The system al-

ways supplies electricity at a constant lev-

el.

makes the electric motor operate as

a

generator and additional electricity is

stored in the hybrid vehicle battery (regen-

erative brake).

10

For efficient use of your

vehicle

Starting your vehicle

Turn the ignition key from “ON” to

“START” with the running mode selector

lever in “P” position only. When the

“READY” light flashes and stays on and

a beep sounds after a few seconds, the

hybrid system starts. (If the ambient tem-

perature is low such as during winter con-

ditions, it may take time until the

“READY” light is on.) Being different from

ordinary vehicles, you cannot start your

vehicle with the running mode selector le-

ver in “N” position. (For details, see “How

to start the hybrid system—” on page 162

in Section 4.)

Drive your vehicle with a smooth accel-

eration and deceleration.

Use the “A/C” mode (with the “A/C”

button only on) when you use the air

conditioning.

D When driving, energy is effectively re-

covered through the regenerative brake

as the vehicle decelerates. However,

for more efficient use, do not acceler-

ate or decelerate your vehicle more

than necessary.

D As the gasoline engine starts and

stops automatically in this mode, eco-

nomical driving with less emissions is

possible.

D In the “MAX” mode (with the “A/C” but-

ton and “MAX” button on), the gasoline

engine is frequently used. Use this

mode only when you need to operate

the air conditioning fully such as when

you should dehumidify or when you are

under a burning sun.

D By avoiding abrupt acceleration and de-

celeration, the remaining capacity of

the hybrid vehicle battery can be pre-

served and it makes it possible to run

the vehicle utilizing the gasoline engine

and the electric power from the hybrid

vehicle battery.

When parking, be sure to put the run-

ning mode selector lever in “P” posi-

tion. While driving, use “D” position.

D The remaining capacity of the hybrid

vehicle battery can be confirmed on

the energy monitor screen of the multi−

information display. See “Information”

on 113 page in Section 2−6 for details.

As the way in which you drive may

decrease the remaining capacity of the

hybrid vehicle battery and reduce fuel

economy, drive your vehicle without

abrupt acceleration or deceleration.

D With the selector lever in “N” position,

the gasoline engine operates but elec-

tricity cannot be generated. The

constant electrical power remaining in

the hybrid vehicle battery becomes in-

sufficient and the battery will be dis-

charged.

11

Precautions for use

D The hybrid system automatically con-

trols the level of electrical power re-

maining in the hybrid vehicle battery.

With the selector lever in a position

other than “N”, electricity is generated

and charging occurs when the level of

electrical power in the hybrid vehicle

battery decreases. It is unnecessary to

charge the hybrid vehicle battery from

outside.

If the output control warning light (

)

The vehicle runs in combination with

the gasoline and electric power. Pay

special attention to the following items.

comes on in the instrument cluster, the

hybrid vehicle battery temperature is

low or high, or the hybrid vehicle bat-

tery capacity is decreased with the se-

lector lever at “R” during driving. As it

does not indicate the failure of the sys-

tem, you can continue driving but avoid

hard acceleration because the power is

insufficient (which is caused by the bat-

tery power deterioration).

Be careful of a high voltage and high

temperature.

Your vehicle is equipped with the orange

colored cables connected to the hybrid

vehicle battery which contain a high volt-

age (about 300 V) and to other high volt-

age parts.

INFORMATION:

The gasoline engine starts and stops

CAUTION

automatically. (It stops during

a

low

load driving, deceleration or when the

vehicle stopped.)

Do not touch or come in contact with

orange cables or battery terminals.

Electric shock may cause serious in-

jury or death. Read all caution labels.

If the “READY” light remains on, you

can start your vehicle using the electric

motor even with the gasoline engine

stopped.

A

electric motor, coolant radiator and

some other parts reach high temperature

when you are driving. Caution labels are

applied to these parts. Carefully observe

the instructions on these caution labels.

The gasoline engine may not stop auto-

matically in the following conditions:

z During under gasoline engine warm−

up

z During hybrid vehicle battery charg-

ing

z When the air conditioning is used in

the “MAX” mode, the gasoline engine

is frequently used.

12

Keep your hybrid vehicle’s driving char-

acteristics in mind.

Hybrid vehicle battery

CAUTION

D As the vehicle runs with both the gaso-

line engine and electric motor, you may

hear a motor sound coming from the

engine compartment.

Never remove or disassemble the

high voltage parts, high voltage

cables (orange color) and their con-

nectors. It may cause death or seri-

ous injury.

Service

plug

12p007d

D When the ignition switch is turned to

on or off, you may hear a sound com-

ing from the hybrid vehicle battery in

the trunk. However, this does not indi-

cate any trouble.

High volt-

age cables

D If the “READY” light is on, you can

start even with the gasoline engine

stopped.

Inverter unit

Do not touch the service plug.

D When the hybrid vehicle battery tem-

perature is low or high, or the hybrid

vehicle battery capacity is decreased

with the selector lever at “R” during

driving, the output control warning light

comes on and the output might be lim-

ited for longer battery charge life.

The service plug is installed in the left

side trim of the trunk. It is provided to

shut out high voltage current of the hybrid

vehicle battery when the vehicle is in

need of repairs at a Toyota dealer.

CAUTION

D If the output control warning light is on,

drive your vehicle without hard accel-

eration. The output power will be limit-

ed particularly when backing up.

D The shaded parts in the illustration

are subjected to a high voltage.

D Inappropriate handling may cause

an electric shock resulting in seri-

ous injury or death. Never touch

any item in shaded area.

13

D When you put the running mode selec-

tor lever in “B” position and release

your foot from the accelerator pedal,

engine braking will be applied. Howev-

er, during the high speed driving you

may feel that deceleration by engine

braking is less than that of ordinary

vehicle.

When you leave your vehicle, apply the

parking brake with the running mode

selector lever in “P” position and be

sure to remove the key and lock all the

doors.

When you leave the the ignition key in the

“ACC” or “ON” position if the hybrid sys-

tem is not operating, the hybrid system

may not start because the auxiliary bat-

tery will be discharged.

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Drive your vehicle without hard accel-

eration if the output control warning

light (

) is on.

The hybrid vehicle battery temperature is

low or high, or the hybrid vehicle battery

capacity is decreased with the selector

lever at “R” during driving. If this occurs,

the output control warning light comes on.

If the output control warning light is on,

the hybrid system output is limited. Drive

your vehicle without hard acceleration.

CAUTION

D When you leave your vehicle, be

If the multi−information display shows

sure to shut off the hybrid system.

a

message, the master warning light

D Be sure to put the running mode

selector lever in “P” position be-

cause the vehicle can start with the

“READY” light on and the engine

stopped (no engine sound and

vibration). When the “READY” light

is on, if you leave your vehicle with

the running mode selector lever in

a position other than “P” and “N”,

the vehicle will creep and start

abruptly with the accelerator pedal

being depressed by mistake. It may

cause death or serious injury.

(

) comes on in the instrument clus-

ter. Read the message and follow the

instruction.

D When you leave your vehicle, or stop

or park for a while, put the selector

lever in “P”.

Vehicle performance might be reduced sig-

nificantly especially when backing up.

Be sure to put the running mode selec-

tor lever in “P” position when parking.

D Charging is necessary. With the selec-

tor lever in “N” position, charging will

not be applied. The electric generator

operates in “P”, “D” or “B” position. If

you continue driving, put the selector

lever in “D” or “B” position and depress

the accelerator pedal. Do not leave it

in “N” position. When driving in traffic

jam, run in “D” position.

With the selector lever in “N” position, the

hybrid vehicle battery assembly is not

charged, even if the gasoline engine is

operating. You cannot run your vehicle if

the selector lever is left in “N” position for

a long time because the hybrid vehicle

battery assembly will be discharged.

14

For vehicle repairs or maintenance, be

sure to consult your Toyota dealer.

D If your vehicle has experienced ma-

jor damage, you may get an electric

shock. To prevent this, never touch

the high voltage parts (hybrid ve-

hicle battery assembly, etc.) or

cables (orange color) connecting

these parts. If some exposed elec-

tric wiring is protruding inside or

outside of the vehicle, an electric

shock may also occur. Never touch

them.

If your vehicle is beyond repair because

of accident or something, be sure to

consult your Toyota dealer.

As sealed Nickel−Metal hydride batteries

are used, be sure to consult your Toyota

dealer when disposing of your vehicle.

12p009c

CAUTION

If you are involved in an accident,

follow these precautions.

D If the fluid leaks or gets in some

part of the vehicle, never touch it

because it may be electrolyte

(strong alkali) from the hybrid ve-

hicle battery. If it gets on your skin

or eyes, wash off immediately with

a large amount of water, if possible,

with boric acid solution, and get

immediate medical attention in or-

der to help avoid serious injury.

Do not put the luggage on the package

tray behind the rear seatback.

D Move the vehicle to a safe place

and perform the followings to re-

duce the risk of high voltage elec-

tricity leakage.

D An air vent is provided on the package

tray behind the rear seatback to cool

the hybrid vehicle battery. If this vent

is covered with something, the hybrid

vehicle battery will overheat resulting in

a reduction of the output performance

of the hybrid system.

D Depress the brake pedal and put the

selector lever in “P” position.

D Apply the parking brake.

D Turn the ignition switch to “LOCK”

D If a vehicle fire occurs, extinguish

it using a fire extinguisher for the

exclusive use on electric fires. As

a small amount of water may be

dangerous, use a large amount of

water, for example from a fire hy-

and remove the key.

D Do not apply water or put foreign ob-

jects over the air vent. Otherwise, it

may affect the hybrid vehicle battery

adversely and cause damage.

D You may hear a cooling fan noise from

drant, or wait for

team arrival.

a

fire−fighting

the air vent.

15

D When your vehicle needs to be

towed, do it with the front wheels

or all four wheels raised. If the

front wheels are on the ground

when towing, the electric motor

may continue to generate electricity

which could cause leakage of elec-

tricity and a fire depending on the

degree of damage. See “If your ve-

hicle needs to be towed” on page

180 in Section 5.

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FEATURES ON NEW TOYOTA VEHICLE - Toyota hybrid system for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

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