2004 Toyota Prius Owners Manual - Page 25

These high voltage parts or cables consisting of an electromagnetic shielding structure produce relatively the same amount of electromagnetic waves as conventional gasoline− fueled vehicles or home electric appliances. As unwanted noise may occur in the reception of mobile radios, contact your Toyota dealer for installation or removal. Always keep your hybrid vehicle's driving characteristics in mind. D When the hybrid system is started or stopped, you may hear a sound coming from the hybrid vehicle battery in the luggage compartment. However, this does not indicate any trouble. When you leave your vehicle, apply the parking brake to put the hybrid transaxle in "P" and be sure to carry the key with you and lock all the doors. If you leave the hybrid system in "ACC" or "IG−ON", the hybrid system may not start because the auxiliary battery will be discharged. D As the vehicle runs with both the gasoline engine and electric motor, you may hear a motor sound coming from the engine compartment. D If the "READY" light is on, you can start even though the gasoline engine may be off. CAUTION D When you leave your vehicle, be sure to shut off the hybrid system. D When you shift the shift lever to "B" and release it to its original position and your foot from the accelerator pedal, engine braking will be applied. However, during high speed driving you may feel that deceleration by engine braking is less than that of ordinary vehicle. Be sure to put the hybrid transaxle in "P" when parking. In "N", the hybrid vehicle battery assembly is not charged, even if the gasoline engine is operating. You cannot run your vehicle if the hybrid transaxle is left in "N" for a long time because the hybrid vehicle battery assembly will be discharged. D Be sure to put the hybrid transaxle in "P" because 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 in shift position other than "P" and "N", the vehicle will creep and start abruptly with the accelerator pedal being depressed by mistake. This may cause death or serious injury. CAUTION The driver should pay full attention around the vehicle especially when it is driven only by the electric motor (with the gasoline engine stopped). People in the immediate area might misjudge the hybrid vehicle movement based on the absence of the regular engine noise. 13