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CAUTION
When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any cir-
cumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the
vehicle, press and hold the “POWER” switch for more than 2 seconds, or
press it briefly 3 times or more in succession.
However, do not touch the “POWER” switch while driving except in an
emergency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss
of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull
over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long
periods of time without the hybrid system on.
If the hybrid system is off, but the indicator on the “POWER” switch is
illuminated, this indicates that the “POWER” switch is still turned on.
When exiting the vehicle, always check that the “POWER” switch is off.
Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the “POWER” switch
If the “POWER” switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than
usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Con-
tact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional immediately.
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EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas late at night, or in
indoor parking lots etc. without concern for noises and exhaust gas
emissions.
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is
turned on, the EV drive mode
indicator will come on.
Pressing the switch when in
EV drive mode will return
the vehicle to normal driving
(using the gasoline engine
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Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations.
If it cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown
on the multi-information display.
The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high
speeds, etc.
The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 0 C (32 F)
for a long period of time etc.
The gasoline engine is warming up.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
An “Energy monitor” display of level 3 or lower may indicate a low bat-
tery level. (P. 4 9 )
Vehicle speed is high.
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
The windshield defogger is in use.
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm
up. In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
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Automatic cancellation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically
restart in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a
buzzer will sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy monitor” display is
level 2 or lower. (P. 4 9 )
Vehicle speed becomes high.
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance,
a prior notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, it is possible to drive up to about 1 km (1/2 mile) if driv-
ing at a speed of about 45 km/h (28 mph) or less. (The distance that is possi-
ble depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving
conditions.)
Fuel economy
CT200h is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during nor-
mal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]).
Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
CAUTION
While driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the
vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicy-
cles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle
starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.
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Selecting a driving mode
The following modes can be selected to suit driving condi-
tions:
Normal mode
Eco drive mode
Suitable for improving the
fuel economy, because the
torque corresponding to the
accelerator pedal depression
amount can be generated
more smoothly than it is in
normal conditions and the
operation of the air condi-
tioning system (heating/cool-
ing) will be minimized.
When the driving mode
select switch is turned left,
the “ECO MODE” indicator
comes on in the instrument
cluster.
Press the switch to change
the driving mode to normal
mode.
Sport mode
Use when high levels of
response and feeling are
desirable, such as when driv-
ing in mountainous regions
or when overtaking.
When the driving mode
select switch is turned right,
the “SPORT MODE” indica-
tor comes on in the instru-
ment cluster
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Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode (without navi-
gation system)
Eco drive mode controls the heating/ cooling operations and fan speed of
the air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency. (P. 326) To
improve air conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco
drive mode.
Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode (with navigation
system)
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency. To improve air condi-
tioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode. (Refer
to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.)
For the shift positions
When the “POWER” switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.
When the “POWER” switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not
operating), the shift position can only be changed to N. The shift position
will be changed to N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and held
in that position.
When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be changed
from P to D, N or R.
When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cannot be
changed from P to another position even if the shift lever is operated.
Wait until the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing to a solid
light, and then operate the shift lever again.
The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.
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About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pedal will apply
engine braking.
• When the vehicle is driven at high speeds, compared to ordinary gaso-
line-fueled vehicles, the engine braking deceleration is felt less than that
of other vehicles.
• The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is selected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel efficiency will
become low. Usually, select the D position.
When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even if switching the driving mode to sport mode with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control will not be canceled.
Automatically P position selection function
When the shift position is in a position other than P, pressing the “POWER”
switch with the vehicle stopped completely will cause the shift position to
change to P automatically, and then the “POWER” switch will turn off.
If the shift position cannot be shifted from P
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery is discharged. Check the 12-
volt battery in this situation. (P. 633)
Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the “POWER” switch is turned
off after driving in sport mode.
After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
P. 5 1 1
Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 667)
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Turn signal lever
Turn signals can be operated when
The “POWER” switch is in ON mode.
If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
The turn signal lever can be used to show the following intention
of the driver:
Right turn
Left turn
Lane change to the right
(push and hold the lever
partway)
The right hand signals will
flash until you release the
lever.
Lane change to the left
(push and hold the lever
partway)
The left hand signals will
flash until you release the
lever.