Start the engine Lexus CT200h 2012 Owner's Manual (in English)

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
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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 shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) will not be charged. Thus, shift to P when the vehicle is
stopped. In addition, when driving in heavy traffic, use D or
B.
*:However, when the hybrid battery (traction battery) need to
be charged or while the engine is being warmed up, the gas-
oline engine may not stop automatically.
During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric
motor (traction motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction
battery) as necessary.
When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of
the hybrid battery (traction battery) is added to that of the gas-
oline engine via the electric motor (traction motor).
When braking (regenerative braking)

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy
and deceleration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of
the hybrid battery (traction battery).
The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift position in
D or B.
The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift position in D or
B.
EV indicator
Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop
automatically in the following conditions:
During gasoline engine warm-up
During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or
low
When the heater is switched on
The EV indicator comes on when driving
the vehicle using only the electric motor
(traction motor).

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
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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 will slowly
discharge. For this reason, be sure to drive the vehicle at least once every
few months for at least 30 minutes or 16 km (10 miles). If the hybrid bat-
tery becomes fully discharged and you are unable to jump-start the vehi-
cle with the 12-volt battery, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not
be charged. Always shift the shift position in P when the vehicle is
stopped. When driving in heavy traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift
position in D or B to avoid discharging the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery).
Charging the 12-volt battery
P. 6 3 6
After the 12-volt battery has discharged or has been changed or removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the
hybrid battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional.

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift
position 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.
Sounds may be heard from the transmission 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 regenerative braking when the brake pedal
is depressed and accelerator is loosened.
Other sounds, such as motors and mechanical noises, may be heard from
the brake system when the brake pedal is depressed.
Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent on the side of
rear right seatback.
Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the EV indicator) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 667)

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
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Air conditioning
Use the air conditioning only when necessary. Doing so can help
control excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: In high temperatures, use the recirculated air mode.
Doing so will help to reduce the burden on the air conditioner and
reduce fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasoline engine will not automatically cut
out until the gasoline engine and the interior of the vehicle are
warm, it will consume fuel. Also, fuel consumption can be
improved by avoiding overuse of the heater.
Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently. Improper
tire inflation pressure can cause poor fuel consumption.
Also, as snow tires can cause large amounts of friction, their use on
dry roads can lead to poor fuel consumption. Use a tire that is
appropriate for the season.
Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage can lead to poor fuel consumption. Avoid
carrying unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack can also
cause poor fuel consumption.
Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically when
cold, warming up the engine is unnecessary. Moreover, frequently
driving short distances will cause the engine to repeatedly warm up,
which can lead to poor fuel consumption.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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CAUTION
When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid
system operating. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
When driving the vehicle
Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi-
culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the
vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and acceler-
ator pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake
pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is
powered only by the electric motor (traction motor). Because there is no
engine noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materi-
als.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
Do not let the vehicle roll backward while a forward driving position is
selected, or roll forward while the shift position is in R.
Doing so may result in an accident or damage to the vehicle.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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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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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations.
If it cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown
on the multi-information display.
The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high
speeds, etc.
The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 0 C (32 F)
for a long period of time etc.
The gasoline engine is warming up.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
An “Energy monitor” display of level 3 or lower may indicate a low bat-
tery level. (P. 4 9 )
Vehicle speed is high.
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
The windshield defogger is in use.
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm
up. In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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Automatic cancellation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically
restart in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a
buzzer will sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy monitor” display is
level 2 or lower. (P. 4 9 )
Vehicle speed becomes high.
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance,
a prior notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, it is possible to drive up to about 1 km (1/2 mile) if driv-
ing at a speed of about 45 km/h (28 mph) or less. (The distance that is possi-
ble depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving
conditions.)
Fuel economy
CT200h is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during nor-
mal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]).
Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
CAUTION
While driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the
vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicy-
cles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle
starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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Shift position indicator
The current shift position is illuminated.
When any shift position other than D or B is selected, the arrow
toward B and B position indicator disappear from the shift position
indicator.
When selecting the shift position, make sure that the shift position has
been changed to the desired position by checking the shift position
indicator provided on the instrument cluster.
Shift position purpose
*: For good fuel economy and noise reduction, the D position should
ll b d
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
B
Applying engine braking or strong braking when
the accelerator pedal has been released on steep
downward slopes etc.