541-3. Hybrid system
■When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is
depressed heavily, the power of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is
added to that of the gasoline engine via
the electric motor (traction motor).
■When braking (regenerative brak-
ing)
The wheels operate the electric motor
(traction motor) as a power generator,
and the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is charged.
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is
converted to electric energy and decelera-
tion force can be obta ined in conjunction
with the recharging of the hybrid battery
(traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while
driving with the shift lever in D or S.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driv-
ing with the shift lever in D or S.
■EV indicator
The EV indicator comes on when the vehi-
cle is driven using only the electric motor
(traction motor) or th e gasoline engine is
stopped.
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine
may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops auto-
matically. However, it may not stop auto-
matically in the following conditions
*:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) is high or low
●When the heater is switched on
*: Depending on the circumstances, the
gasoline engine may also not stop auto-
matically in other situations.
■Charging the hybrid battery (traction
battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid
battery (traction battery), the battery does
not need to be charged from an outside
source. However, if the vehicle is left parked
for a long time the hybrid battery (traction
battery) will slowly discharge. For this rea-
son, be sure to drive the vehicle at least
once every few months for at least 30 min-
utes or 10 miles (16 km ). If the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) becomes fully
discharged and you are unable to start the
hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Charging the 12-volt battery
P.386
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged
or when the terminal has been removed
and installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if
the vehicle is being driven by the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery). If this continues for a
few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a
hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration
even though the vehicle is able to move with
the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For
safety, apply the parking brake and make
sure to shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may
occur when the hybrid system is operating
and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the
engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid
battery (traction battery) behind the rear
seats when the hybrid system starts or
stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a snap or
