
531-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
1-3.Hybrid system
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (traction motor)
■When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops
* when the 
vehicle is stopped. During start off, the 
electric motor (traction motor) drives 
the vehicle. At slow speeds or when 
traveling down a gentle slope, the 
engine is stopped
* and the electric 
motor (traction motor) is used.
When the shift lever is in N, the hybrid 
battery (traction battery) is not being  charged.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) requires charging or the engine is 
warming up, etc., the gasoline engine will 
not automatically stop.
■During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly 
used. The electric motor (traction 
motor) charges the hybrid battery 
(traction battery) as necessary.
Hybrid system features
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from conven-
tional vehicles. Be sure you are closely  familiar with the characteristics of your 
vehicle, and operate it with care.
The hybrid system combines the use of a  gasoline engine and an electric motor 
(traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving fuel efficiency and 
reducing exhaust emissions.
System components
A
B 

551-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
soft clank will be emitted from the hybrid 
battery (traction battery), behind the rear 
seats, when the hybrid system is started 
or stopped.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be 
heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the transmis-
sion when the gasoline engine starts or 
stops, when driving at low speeds, or 
during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when 
accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenera-
tive braking when the brake pedal is 
depressed or as the accelerator pedal is 
released.
●Vibration may be felt  when the gasoline 
engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from 
the air intake vent  under the rear seat.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and dis-
posal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding main-
tenance, repair, recycling and disposal. Do 
not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the EV 
indicator) can be changed. 
(Customizable features:  P.412)
When driving with the gasoline engine 
stopped, a sound, which changes in 
accordance with the driving speed, will 
be played in order to warn people 
nearby of the vehicle’s approach. This 
sound may be heard inside the vehicle. 
The sound will stop when the vehicle 
speed exceeds approximately 15 mph 
(25 km/h).
■Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity 
notification system may be difficult for sur-
rounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification 
system is installed on the front of the vehicle, 
it may be more difficult to hear from the rear 
of the vehicle compared to the front.
Vehicle proximity notification 
system 

571-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
shielding, and therefore emit approxi-
mately the same amount of electromag-
netic waves as conventional gasoline 
powered vehicles or home electronic 
appliances.
●Your vehicle may cause sound interfer-
ence in some third party-produced radio 
parts.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a 
limited service life.  The lifespan of the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) can 
change in accordance with driving style and 
driving conditions.
WARNING
■High voltage precautions
This vehicle has high voltage DC and AC 
systems as well as a 12-volt system. DC 
and AC high voltage is very dangerous 
and can cause severe burns and electric 
shock that may result in death or serious 
injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or 
replace the high voltage parts, cables 
or their connectors.
●The hybrid system will become hot 
after starting as the system uses high 
voltage. Be careful of both the high 
voltage and the high temperature, and 
always obey the warning labels 
attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug 
access hole located under the rear 
seat (right side). The service plug is 
used only when the vehicle is serviced 
and is subject to high voltage.
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to 
reduce the risk of death or serious injury:
●Stop the vehicle in a safe place to pre-
vent subsequent accidents. While 
depressing the brake pedal, apply the 
parking brake and sh ift the shift lever 
to P to stop the hybrid system. Then, 
slowly release the brake pedal.
●Do not touch the high voltage parts, 
cables and connectors.
●If electric wires are exposed inside or 
outside your vehicle, an electric shock 
may occur. Never touch exposed elec-
tric wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch the 
fluid as it may be st rong alkaline elec-
trolyte from the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery). If it comes into contact 
with your skin or eyes, wash it off 
immediately with a large amount of 
water or, if possible, boric acid solu-
tion. Seek immediate medical atten-
tion.
●If electrolyte is leaking from the hybrid 
battery (traction battery), do not 
approach the vehicle. 
Even in the unlikely event that the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) is 
damaged, the internal construction of 
the battery will prev ent a large amount 
of electrolyte from leaking out. How-
ever, any electrolyte that does leak out 
will give off a vapor. This vapor is an 
irritant to skin and eyes and could 
cause acute poisoning if inhaled.
●Do not bring burning or high-tem-
perature items close to the electrolyte. 
The electrolyte may ignite and cause a 
fire.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, 
leave the vehicle as soon as possible. 
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not 
meant for electric fires. Using even a 
small amount of water may be danger-
ous. 

591-3. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
When a certain level of impact is 
detected by the impact sensor, the 
emergency shut off system blocks the 
high voltage current and stops the fuel 
pump to minimize the risk of electrocu-
tion and fuel leakage. If the emergency 
shut off system activates, your vehicle 
will not restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
A message is automatically displayed 
when a malfunction occurs in the 
hybrid system or an improper opera-
tion is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on the 
multi-information display, read the 
message and follow the instructions.
■If a warning light comes on, a warning 
message is displayed, or the 12-volt bat-
tery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In this 
case, try to start the system again. If the 
“READY” indicator does not come on, con-
tact your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) air 
intake vent
●Make sure not to block the air intake 
vent with anything, such as a seat 
cover, plastic cover, or luggage. If the 
vents become blocked, the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) input and output 
may be restricted, leading to a reduc-
tion in hybrid battery (traction battery) 
output and a malfunction.
●When dust etc. has accumulated in the 
air intake vent, periodically clean it 
with a vacuum cleaner to prevent the 
vent from clogging.
●A filter is installed to the air intake vent. 
When the filter remains noticeably 
dirty even after cleaning the air intake 
vent, filter cleaning or replacement is 
recommended. When cleaning or 
replacing the filter, contact your Lexus 
dealer. 
Refer to P.304 for details on how to 
clean the filter.
●Do not get water or foreign materials 
in the air intake vent as this may cause 
a short circuit and damage the hybrid 
battery (traction battery).
●Do not carry large amounts of water 
such as water cooler bottles in the 
vehicle. If water spills onto the hybrid 
battery (traction battery), the battery 
may be damaged. Have the vehicle 
inspected by your
 Lexus dealer.
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message 

601-4. Theft deterrent system
1-4.Theft deterrent system
The indicator light flashes after the 
power switch has been turned off to 
indicate that the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing after 
the power switch has been turned to ACCESSORY or ON mode to indi-
cate that the system has been can-
celed.
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type 
immobilizer system.
■Conditions that may  cause the system to 
malfunction
●If the grip portion of the key is in contact 
with a metallic object
●If the key is in close proximity to or touch-
ing a key registered to the security sys-
tem (key with a built-in transponder chip) 
of another vehicle
■Certifications for the immobilizer system
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A. , Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico
Immobilizer system
The vehicle’s keys have built-in tran-
sponder chips that prevent the 
hybrid system from starting if a key 
has not been previously registered 
in the vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the 
vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
This system is designed to help pre-
vent vehicle theft but does not guar-
antee absolute security against all 
vehicle thefts.
Operating the system 

611-4. Theft deterrent system
1
For safety and security
For vehicles sold in Canada
NOTICE
■To ensure the system operates cor-
rectly
Do not modify or remove the system. If 
modified or removed, the proper opera-
tion of the system cannot be guaranteed. 

631-4. Theft deterrent system
1
For safety and security
●The 12-volt battery is recharged or 
replaced when the vehicle is locked. 
( P.386)
■Alarm-operated door lock
In the following cases, depending on the sit-
uation, the door may automatically lock to 
prevent improper entry into the vehicle:
●When a person remaining in the vehicle 
unlocks the door and the alarm is acti-
vated.
●While the alarm is activated, a person 
remaining in the vehicle unlocks the door.
●When recharging or replacing the 12-volt 
battery
NOTICE
■To ensure the system operates cor-
rectly
Do not modify or remove the system. If 
modified or removed, the proper opera-
tion of the system cannot be guaranteed. 

682-1. Instrument cluster
systems.
Turn signal indicator (P.145)
(U.S.A.) Headlight indicator (
P.150)
(Canada) Tail light indicator (
P.150)
Headlight high beam indicator 
(  P.152)
Automatic High Beam indicator 
(  P.153)
PCS warning light
*1, 2 (  P.171)
Cruise control indicator 
(  P.194)
Dynamic radar cruise control 
indicator ( P.187)
Cruise control “SET” indicator 
(  P.187)
(white)
LTA indicator ( P.181)
(green)
LTA indicator ( P.181)
(orange)
(flashes)LTA indicator ( P.181)
BSM outside rear view mirror 
indicators
*1, 3 (if equipped) 
(  P.197, P.211)
BSM indicator (if equipped) 
(  P.197)
Intuitive parking assist OFF indi-
cator
*1, 2 (if equipped) 
(  P.205)
RCTA OFF indicator
*1, 2 (if 
equipped) ( P.211)
RCD OFF indicator*2 (if 
equipped) ( P.215)
PKSB OFF indicator
*1, 2 (if 
equipped) ( P.219)
(flashes)
Slip indicator*1 ( P.236)
VSC OFF indicator
*1, 2 
(  P.237)
Smart access system with push-
button start indicator ( P.135)
“READY” indicator ( P.135)
AGC indicator
*4 (  P.203)
EV drive mode indicator 
(  P.139)
(U.S.A.) Parking brake indicator 
(
 P.146)
(Canada) Parking brake indicator 
(
 P.146)
Brake hold standby indicator
*1 
(  P.148)
Brake hold operated indicator
*1 
(  P.148)
EV indicator ( P.54)
Low outside temperature indi-
cator
*5 (  P.70)
Security indicator
*6 (  P.60, 
P.62)
(U.S.A.) “AIR BAG ON/OFF” indica-
tor
*1, 6 (
 P.37)