Lexus CT200h 2012 Owner's Manual (in English)
Manufacturer: LEXUS, Model Year: 2012, Model line: CT200h, Model: Lexus CT200h 2012Pages: 710
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When driving
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CAUTION
Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents,
resulting in death or serious injury.
Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
Abrupt changes from shift position D to B and rapid changes in the engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are
wet and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, result-
ing in an accident.
When changing the shift position
Be careful not to change the shift position with the accelerator pedal
depressed.
Changing the shift position to any positions other than P or N may cause the
vehicle to accelerate abruptly, causing an accident and resulting in death or
serious injury.
After changing the shift position, make sure to confirm the current shift
position displayed on the shift position indicator inside the meter.
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CAUTION
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear indicators)
Have any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
When the vehicle is stopped
Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the vehicle is in any shift position other than P or N, the vehicle may
accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the “READY” indicator is on. Apply the
parking brake as necessary.
If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake
pedal and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
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When driving
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CAUTION
When the vehicle is parked
Make sure to firmly apply the parking brake and shift the shift position to
P.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move, or the vehicle to acceler-
ate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed. Also, when
leaving the vehicle, make sure to turn off the hybrid system and lock the
vehicle.
Sound or shuddering may not be noticed even when the hybrid vehicle is
ready to drive (when the “READY” indicator is illuminated).
Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and
plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
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CAUTION
When the vehicle is parked
Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the hybrid system is operating or
immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up,
or where it is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the
hybrid system is operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi-
cle. This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health
hazard.
If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the hybrid system. In a
closed area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the
vehicle. This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
The exhaust system should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or
crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise,
be sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional. Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle,
resulting in death or a serious health hazard.
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When driving
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CAUTION
When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked
in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
When braking
When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
If the electronically controlled assist function does not operate, do not fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require
braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will
increase.
The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the others will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase. If this happens, do not continue to drive the vehicle. If the brake
system warning light (red indicator) comes on together with the buzzer
sound while driving, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional.
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NOTICE
When driving the vehicle
Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain driving torque.
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake ped-
als at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire (P. 599, 613)
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When driving
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NOTICE
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
Engine stalling
Short in electrical components
Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional check the following:
Brake function
Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, transmission fluid for the
hybrid system etc.
Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
If the P position control system is damaged by flooding, it may not be possi-
ble to shift the shift position to P, or from P to other positions. When the
shift position cannot be changed from P to any other position, the front
wheels will lock, and you will be unable to tow the vehicle with the front
wheels on the ground, as the front wheels may be locked. In this case, trans-
port the vehicle with both front wheels or all four wheels lifted.
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Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic key
on your person starts the hybrid system or changes “POWER” switch
modes.
Starting the hybrid system
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Check that the “POWER” switch indicator turns green. If the
indicator does not turn green, the hybrid system cannot be
started.
When the shift position is N, the hybrid system cannot start.
Shift the shift position to P when starting the hybrid system.
(P. 210)
Press the “POWER” switch.
Continue depressing the
brake pedal until the hybrid
system is completely started.
The hybrid system can be
started from any “POWER”
switch mode.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
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When driving
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Check that the “READY” indicator is on.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a flashing light to a
solid light and the buzzer sounds, the hybrid system is starting
normally.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is
off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” indicator is on
even if the engine is stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or
stops automatically in accordance with the state of the vehi-
cle.)
Stopping the hybrid system
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake. (P. 217)
Shift the shift position to P. (P. 2 1 0 )
Check that the shift position indicator shows P. (P. 207)
Press the “POWER” switch.
The hybrid system will stop, and the meter display will be
extinguished (the shift position indicator will be extinguished
a few seconds after the meter display)
STEP4
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
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Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON
mode (the hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the
shift position in P, the “POWER” switch will automatically turn off. How-
ever, this function cannot entirely prevent the 12-volt battery from discharg-
ing. Do not leave the vehicle with the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or
ON mode for long periods of time when the hybrid system is not operating.
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 4 2
Changing “POWER” switch modes
Modes can be changed by pressing the “POWER” switch with
the brake pedal released. (The mode changes each time the
switch is pressed.)
Off
The emergency flashers can
be used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indi-
cator turns amber.
ON mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indi-
cator turns amber.