2008 Lexus RX 400h Owners Manual - Page 122

2-1. Driving procedures n Operating your vehicle in a foreign country Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the correct fuel. (→P. 433) n For efficient use of the hybrid battery l Put the shift lever into D when driving In the N position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be generated. The hybrid battery (traction battery) will be discharged requiring unnecessary engine power to recharge. l Drive your vehicle smoothly Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and deceleration will make more effective use of the traction motor without having to use gasoline engine power. l Avoid repeated acceleration Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power, resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving with the accelerator pedal slightly released. l Put the shift lever into P when parking In the N position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge. Leaving the shift lever in the N position for an extended period of the time may discharge the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot run if the hybrid battery is discharged. n Normal characteristics after turning off the hybrid system Approximately five hours after the hybrid system is turned off, you may hear sound coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel evaporation leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction. CAUTION n When starting the vehicle Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid system running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping. 124