Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (2023 year). Manual in english

516

5-6. Driving tips

Winter driving tips

●

Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.

• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid

●

Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt bat-
tery.

●

Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.

Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.

Perform the following according to the driving conditions:

●

Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.

●

To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.

●

Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.

●

Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.

Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.

Preparation for winter

Before driving the vehicle

517

5-6. Driving tips

riv

Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road con-
ditions.

Park the vehicle and shift the shift position to P and block the wheel
under the vehicle without setting the parking brake. The parking brake
may freeze up, preventing it from being released. If the vehicle is
parked without setting the parking brake, make sure to block the
wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous because it may cause the vehicle
to move unexpectedly, possibly leading to an accident.

Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. Chain
size is regulated for each tire size.

Side chain

3.0 mm (0.12 in.)
30.0 mm (1.18 in.)
10.0 mm (0.39 in.)

Cross chain

4.0 mm (0.16 in.)
25.0 mm (0.98 in.)
14.0 mm (0.55 in.)

Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regulations before installing
chains.

When driving the vehicle

When parking the vehicle

Selecting tire chains

1
2
3

4
5
6

Regulations on the use of tire chains

518

5-6. Driving tips

■

Tire chain installation

Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:

●

Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.

●

Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the rear
tires.

●

Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after
driving 0.5 - 1.0 km (1/4 - 1/2 mile).

●

Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.

■

Consumption of fuel and electricity

In cold temperatures, resistance of the parts of a vehicle (transmission, tires,
etc.) generally increases, resulting in increase of energy consumption. As a
result, fuel economy is likely to decrease.
Consumption of fuel and electricity of this vehicle is also likely to become
worse in cold temperatures.

519

5-6. Driving tips

riv

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.

521

Interior features

6-1. Using the air conditioning

system and defogger

Automatic air conditioning

system .............................522

Remote Air Conditioning

System.............................535

Seat heaters ......................539

6-2. Using the interior lights

Interior lights list.................541

• Front interior light ..........542
• Front personal lights......542
• Rear interior light ...........543

6-3. Using the storage features

List of storage features ......544

• Glove box ......................545
• Console box ..................545
• Cup holders ...................546
• Bottle holders/

door pockets..................547

• Auxiliary boxes ..............548
• Seat back pockets .........549

Luggage compartment

features............................550

6-4. Using the other interior

features

Other interior features........555

• Sun visors......................555
• Vanity mirrors ................555
• Power outlets.................556
• Wireless charger ...........557
• Armrest..........................563
• Coat hooks ....................563
• Assist grips ....................564

522

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

Automatic air conditioning system

■

Adjusting the temperature setting

Move the temperature setting
knob upwards to increase the
temperature and downwards to
decreases the temperature.

is not pressed, the

system will blow ambient tem-
perature air or heated air.

Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted according
to the temperature setting.
The illustrations below are for left-hand drive vehicles.
The button positions and shapes will differ for right-hand drive
vehicles.

Air conditioning controls

Temperature
setting knob

523

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

teri
or f
eatu

res

■

Fan speed setting

Move the fan speed setting
knob upwards to increase the
fan speed and downwards to
decrease the fan speed.

The fan speed is shown on the
display. (7 levels)
Press

to turn the fan off.

■

Change the airflow mode

Move the airflow change knob
upwards or downwards to
change the airflow mode.

The air outlets used are
switched each time the knob is
operated.

Air flows to the upper body
Air flows to the upper body
and feet
Air flows to the feet
Air flows to the feet and the
windshield defogger oper-
ates

■

Other functions

●

Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
(



P. 526)

●

Defogging the windshield (



P. 527)

●

Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors
(



P. 527)

Fan speed
setting knob

Airflow change
knob

1
2

3
4

524

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

Press .

Adjust the temperature setting. (



P. 522)

To stop the operation, press

When in automatic mode, the air outlet modes and fan speed levels
are not displayed in the air conditioning control panel display.

■

Automatic mode indicator

If the fan speed setting or air flow modes are operated, the

indicator goes off. However, automatic mode for functions other
than that operated is maintained.

■

Adjusting the temperature for driver and passenger seats sep-
arately (DUAL mode)

To turn on the DUAL mode, perform the following either operation:

●

Press .

●

Adjust the temperature setting of the passenger side with the
passenger side temperature adjustment knob.

The

indicator illuminates when the DUAL mode is on.

Using automatic mode

525

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

teri
or f
eatu

res

This function automatically controls the air conditioning airflow so that
priority is given to the front seats. When the front passenger seat is
not occupied, airflow may switch to only the driver’s seat. Unneces-
sary air conditioning is suppressed, contributing to increased fuel effi-
ciency.
Front seat concentrated airflow mode operates in the following situa-
tions.

●

No passengers are detected in the rear seats

●

The windshield defogger is not operating

While operating,

illuminates.

■

Manually turning front seat concentrated airflow mode on/off

In front seat concentrated airflow mode, directing airflow to the front
seats only and to all seats can be switched via switch operation.
When the mode has been switched manually, automatic airflow
control stops operating.

Press

on the air conditioning operation panel and switch the

airflow.

●

Indicator illuminated: Airflow to the front seats only

●

Indicator off: Airflow to all the seats

Front seat concentrated airflow mode (S-FLOW)

526

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

■

Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes

Press .

The mode switches between outside air mode and recirculated air mode

each time

is pressed.

The

indicator illuminates when the recirculated air mode is

selected.

■

Blower customization

Fan speed setting during the automatic mode operation can be cus-
tomized.

To change the fan speed setting mode, press

Each time

is pressed, the fan speed setting mode changes as

follows.
“NORMAL”



“ECO”



“FAST”



“NORMAL”

When “ECO” is displayed on the air conditioning screen, the air condi-
tioning is controlled with low fuel consumption prioritized such as reduc-
ing fan speed, etc.
When “FAST” is displayed on the screen, fan speed will be increased.

Other functions

527

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

teri
or f
eatu

res

■

Defogging the windshield

Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-
dows.

Press .

Set

to outside air mode if the recirculated air mode is used. (It

may switch automatically.)
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the air flow and
temperature up.

The

indicator illuminates when the defoggers are on.

To return to the previous mode, press

again when the wind-

shield is defogged. Also, turning the power switch off during operation
can return to the previous mode.

■

Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors

Defoggers are used to defog the rear window and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the outside rear view mirrors.

Press .

Defoggers switch between on and off each time

is pressed.

The

indicator illuminates when defoggers are on.

The defoggers will automatically turn off after a period of time.

■

Eco score (A/C score)



P. 244

528

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

■

Location of air outlets

The air outlets and air volume
change according to the
selected airflow mode.

■

Adjusting the air flow direction

Direct air flow to the left or right,
up or down.

■

Opening and closing the air outlets

Air outlets



Left side outlet/right side outlet



Center outlets

Open the vent
Close the vent

1
2

529

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

teri
or f
eatu

res

■

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 Air 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 approximately -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

530

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

■

Water droplets during air conditioning operation

■

Setting confirmation screen

■

Operation of automatic airflow control

●

In order to maintain a comfortable interior, airflow may be directed to seats
without passengers immediately after the hybrid system is started and at
other times depending on the outside temperature.

●

After the hybrid system is started, if passengers move around inside or
enter/exit the vehicle, the system cannot accurately detect the presence of
passengers and automatic airflow control will not operate.

■

Operation of manual airflow control

Even if the function is manually switched to directing airflow to only the
front seats, when a rear seat is occupied, it may automatically direct air-
flow to all seats.

■

To return to automatic airflow control

With the indicator off, turn the power switch off.
After 60 minutes or more elapse, turn the power switch to ON.

■

Front seat concentrated airflow mode (S-FLOW) operation

The outside heat exchanger, accumulator
and air conditioning piping may incur con-
densation or frost may form. During or
after the air conditioning operation, water
droplets may fall from the vehicle. How-
ever, it is not a malfunction.

When changing the settings of the air
conditioning system, the setting confirma-
tion screen is shown as a pop-up on the
multi-information display.
Press

of the meter control switches to

go back to the previous screen.

When

is pressed, the front seat

concentrated airflow mode (S-FLOW) sta-
tus is displayed on the multi-information
display.

Outside heat exchanger

Accumulator

531

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

teri
or f
eatu

res

■

Changing settings using the multi-information display

The air conditioning system settings can be changed on the

screen

of the multi-information display. (



P. 242)

■

Fogging up of the windows

●

The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.

Turning

on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the

windshield effectively.

●

If you turn

off, the windows may fog up more easily.

●

The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.

■

Windshield fog detection function

When automatic mode is set, the humidity sensor (



P. 534) detects fog on

the windshield and controls the air conditioning system to prevent fog.

■

When driving on dusty roads

Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-
cle after closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake mode be
set to outside air mode and the fan speed to any setting except off.

■

Outside/recirculated air mode

●

Setting to the recirculated air mode temporarily is recommended in prevent-
ing dirty air from entering the vehicle interior and helping to cool the vehicle
when the outside air temperature is high.

●

Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on the
temperature setting or the inside temperature.

■

Fresh air intake system while parking

When parking, the system automatically switches to outside air mode to
encourage better air circulation throughout the vehicle, helping to reduce
odors that occur when starting the vehicle.

532

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

■

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 0



C (32



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)

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (2023 year). Manual in english - page 31