2006 Lexus RX 400h Owners Manual - Page 43

HYBRID VEHICLE OVERVIEW FOR EFFICIENT USE OF YOUR VEHICLE Drive your vehicle with smooth acceleration and deceleration. D While driving, energy is recovered through the regenerative brake as the vehicle decelerates. However, for efficient use, do not accelerate or decelerate your vehicle more than necessary. D Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. D The power of the traction battery can be checked on the multi−information display or the navigation system screen (with navigation system). See "Traction battery status" on page 6 for details. Gradual or non−abrupt acceleration and deceleration will make more effectively use of the traction motor without having to use gasoline engine power. When parking, be sure to put the transmission into the "P" position. While driving, put the transmission into the "D" position. D In the "N" position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be generated. The traction battery will be discharged requiring unnecessary engine power to recharge. D The hybrid system automatically recharges the traction battery when the remaining battery power is reduced. However, the traction battery cannot be recharged if the transmission is in the "N" position. INFORMATION The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. It may stop during a low load driving, deceleration or when the vehicle is stopped. As long as the "READY" light remains on, you can start your vehicle using the traction motor even with the gasoline engine stopped. The gasoline engine may not stop automatically in the following conditions: D During gasoline engine warm−up D During traction battery charging D During low or high traction battery temperature 7