Starting Your Vehicle; For Efficient Use Of Your Vehicle - Toyota 2001 Prius Owner's Manual

Starting your vehicle

Turn the ignition key from
"START" with the running mode selector
lever in "P" position only. When
"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
"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.)
For efficient use of your
vehicle
"ON" to Drive your vehicle with a smooth accel-
eration and deceleration.
the
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
until the
than necessary.
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.
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.
Use the "A/C" mode (with the "A/C"
button only on) when you use the air
conditioning.
D
As the gasoline engine starts
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.
When parking, be sure to put the run-
ning mode selector lever in "P" posi-
tion. While driving, use "D" position.
D
With the selector lever in "N" position,
the gasoline engine operates but elec-
tricity cannot be generated.
constant electrical power remaining in
the hybrid vehicle battery becomes in-
sufficient and the battery will be dis-
charged.
and
The
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