2544-6. Driving tips
CT200h_OM_OM76135E_(EE)
Winter driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside temperatures. •Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
•Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt battery.
●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 imme-
diately 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 accumulated 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 vehi-
cle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the prevail-
ing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle
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4517-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76135E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
WA R N I N G
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move suddenly,
become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury, observe
the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
●Make sure that the indicator on the power switch and the “READY” indicator are
both off.
●Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc.
right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the engine
compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes are flamma-
ble.
●Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage painted sur-
faces. If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean
water immediately. If you still experience discomfort, consult a doctor.
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, the elec tric cooling fans may automatically start to
run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 4 6 1 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or fallin g material, fluid spray, etc. from getting in
your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear due to dirt
in the air.
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads wear or when
the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.
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5148-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CT200h_OM_OM76135E_(EE)
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
●Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
●High coolant temperature warning light flashes or comes on
●Changes in exhaust sound
●Excessive tire squeal when cornering
●Strange noises related to the suspension system
●Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
●Appreciable loss of power
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches the floor
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified an d equipped professional as soon as possible.
Visible s ymp toms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
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5158-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CT200h_OM_OM76135E_(EE)
8
When trouble arises
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified an d equipped professional.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Brake system warning light and warning buzzer (red indicator)*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
This light also comes on when th e parking brake is not released. If
the light turns off after the parkin g brake is fully released, the sys-
tem is operating normally.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional. Continuing to drive the vehicle may
be dangerous.
Brake system warning light (yellow indicator)
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative braking system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
immediately.
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional.
Low engine oil pressure warning light
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional.
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5168-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CT200h_OM_OM76135E_(EE)
Malfunction indicator lampIndicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The emission control system (If equipped)
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
immediately.
ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
•The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
immediately.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
immediately.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
“PCS” warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the pre-crash safety system
The warning light will operate as follows, even when the system is
not malfunctioning:
• The light will flash quickly when the system is operating. (→ P. 244)
• The light will turn on when th e pre-crash braking is disabled.
( → P. 244)
• The light will turn on when the system cannot temporarily be used. ( →P. 5 3 3 )
→ Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
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5188-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CT200h_OM_OM76135E_(EE)
*1: Brake system warning buzzer:When there is a possible problem that coul d affect braking performance, the warning
light will come on and a warning buzzer will sound.
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
→ P. 5 2 6
*2: Open door warning buzzer:
→ P. 5 2 3
*3: Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver and front
passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds for 30 seconds
after the vehicle reaches a speed of 20 km/h (12 mph). Then, if the seat belt is still
unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 90 more seconds.
*4: Rear passengers’ seat belt buzzer:The rear passengers’ seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver that the rear seat belt
is not fastened. The buzzer sounds for 30 seconds after the vehicle reaches a speed
of 20 km/h (12 mph). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a
different tone for 90 more seconds.
*5: If the rear seat belt is not fastened, the lig ht will go off after a short period of time.
■Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning buzzer
●If luggage is placed on the front passenge r seat, the front passenger detection sensor
may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to sound even if a passen-
ger is not sitting in the seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger, and the warn-
ing light may not operate properly.
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge becomes insu fficient or the voltage temporarily drops,
the electric power steering system warning light may come on and the warning buzzer
may sound.
(If equipped)
Tire pressure warning light When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( →P. 5 1 9 )
• Flat tire ( →P. 539, 551)
→ Adjust the tire inflation pre ssure to the specified level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the light does
not turn off even if the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, have the
system checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
When the light comes on af ter blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pr essure warning system (→P. 5 1 9 )
→ Have the system checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
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5208-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CT200h_OM_OM76135E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
■If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional. The vehicle will
become extremely unstable during braking, and the ABS system may fail, which could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold firmly and oper-
ate using more force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on (vehicles with the tire pressure warning
system)
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause a loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pressure
immediately.
●Vehicles with a spare tire: If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire
inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If
a tire is flat, change it with the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest
any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional.
●Vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit: If the tire pressure warning light
comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that you have a
flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat, repair the flat tire by using emergency tire punc-
ture repair kit.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur (vehicles with the tire pressure warn-
ing system)
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.
NOTICE
■To ensure the tire pressure warning system operates properly (vehicles with the tire
pressure warning system)
Do not install tires with different specificatio ns or makers, as the tire pressure warning
system may not operate properly.
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604What to do if... (Troubleshooting)
CT200h_OM_OM76135E_(EE)
●The seat belt reminder light is flashing
Are the driver and the front passenger wearing the seat belts? ( →P. 5 1 7 )
●The parking brake indicator is on
Is the parking brake released? ( →P. 1 8 9 )
Depending on the situation, other types of warning buzzer may also sound.
( → P. 5 1 5 , 5 2 1 )
●Did anyone inside the vehicle open a door during setting the alarm?
The sensor detects it and the alarm sounds. ( →P. 8 5 )
To stop the alarm, turn the power switch to ON mode or start the hybrid system.
●Is the electronic key left inside the vehicle or the moon roof opened?
Check the message on the multi-information display. ( →P. 5 2 1 )
●When a warning light turns on or a warning message is displayed, refer to
P. 515, 521. A warning buzzer sounds during driving
An alarm is activated and the horn sounds
(vehicles with an alarm)
A warning buzzer sounds when leaving the vehicle
A warning light turns on or a warning message is displayed
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1:14 AM