Lexus RX 400h Hybrid Overview
RX 400h
Hybrid Overview
• The Lexus RX400h is powered by a Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD)
system that combines the advantages of electric motor/generator
and a gasoline engine.
• The "400" in RX400h stands for the power output of the engine
and hybrid battery which, when combined, approximate the power
of a 4.0-liter V8 engine.
• The Lexus RX400h does not need to be plugged in like an electric
car. The HSD system automatically charges itself.
• The Lexus RX400h hybrid system provides the high level of
performance associated with Lexus, along with improved gas
mileage and reduced emissions.
• The Lexus RX400h offers the high level of quality and luxury
features that is expected from a Lexus vehicle.
We invite you to discover more about the revolutionary
Lexus RX 400h and Lexus Hybrid System in the pages of this
booklet. For further details, contact your dealership, see the
vehicle Owner's Manual and other owner information
materials in the vehicle, or log onto www.lexus.com.
RX400h
Hybrid System
Quick Facts:
What’s Inside...
Hybrid Overview
RX400h
Driving the RX400h 1 - 2
Starting, driving, parking attendant instructions, long-term
parking, running out of fuel, and battery facts.
Hybrid Luxury Driving Performance 3 - 4
RX 400h Performance, The RX 400h versus the
Competition, What you can expect from the RX 400h.
EPA Milieage Estimates & Fuel Economy 5 - 7
Quck Facts - EPAMileage Estimates, Why you may not
achieve the EPA estimates, Ten Tips for Improving Fuel Economy.
Multi-information Display & Monitors 8 - 16
Multi-information display, Energy Monitor Screen,
Consumption Monitor, Power Gauge and Hybrid Battery Status.
RX400h Hybrid Technology 17 - 20
How the system works, the system’s components and
what they do.
Frequently Asked Questions 21 - 22
A wide range of questions often asked about the RX 400h
and hybrid technology.
Glossary of Hybrid Technology Terms 24 - 26
Definitions of commonly used hybrid technology terms.
Index 27
PAGES
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RX400h Hybrid Specifications 23
Specifications pertaining to the hybrid system.
HYBRID OVERVIEW RX 400h
1
RX400h
Driving the RX400h
On the whole, driving the RX400h is not very much different from driving a
conventional vehicle. However, there are some subtle differences you will notice.
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Turning the ignition key "starts" the vehicle, but may not start the engine.
Like starting a regular vehicle, turn the ignition key to the "START" position and
release to start the vehicle. Unlike a regular vehicle, after a few seconds, the
"READY" light in the Power Gauge will come on. Once the "READY" light
comes on, place the transmission gear lever into the desired gear and start
driving. The RX 400h can drive up to 15 to 20 miles per hour on electric power
alone, so the gasoline engine may not start for a while depending upon the need.
You won’t feel the transmission change gears.
The RX400h uses an Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable
Transmission (ECVT). The transmission does not shift with fixed gear ratios like a
conventional transmission, so it delivers power in a seamless, efficient, and
smooth manner. The “B” gear position is for engine braking.
The engine will turn off and on while you drive.
The engine will automatically turn on and off as needed. At medium or high
speeds, it is normal for the engine to be on most of the time. At low speeds or
when stopped, the engine may or may not be on, depending on the need.
You will notice different sounds while driving.
The engine sound will be more steady than a conventional vehicle when
accelerating due to the smooth operation of the ECVT. It is also normal for the
new technology of the Hybrid Synergy Drive
®
system to make a "whirring" sound
while driving.
The brakes may feel different.
The RX 400h has a regenerative braking system which works in conjunction
with its conventional hydraulic braking system. As a result, the brakes may feel
different from a conventional vehicle.
(continued next page)
HYBRID OVERVIEW RX 400h
2
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Some parking attendants may not be familiar with the RX 400h.
To properly operate the vehicle, these basic tips are important:
1. Turn key to “START” and release.
2. Begin driving when “READY” light stays on.
3. The engine will start and stop automatically.
New RX 400h vehicles come with parking attendant key ring tabs, with these
tips in English and Spanish.
When refueling, the fuel door may take a few moments to open.
As part of emissions system operation, it may take up to 15 seconds for the fuel
door to automatically release after the release button is pressed. The Multiinformation Display in the instrument cluster will display "Refuel Ready" when
the door releases.
Running out of fuel.
Do not run your RX 400h out of fuel. The RX 400h is not designed to be
operated with the fuel tank empty. If you try to start the RX 400h with the fuel
tank empty, the hybrid system will become disabled on the third attempt. If you
continue to drive with the fuel tank empty, the hybrid battery will rapidly
discharge and the hybrid system will shut down. If you run out of fuel,
immediately pull over to a safe location and turn off the vehicle. Be sure
to add fuel before attempting to restart the vehicle or continuing to drive.
Hybrid Battery cooling vents.
Do not block the hybrid battery cooling vents located
under the rear seats with cargo or other items. Doing
so could cause overheating of the hybrid battery.
Long-term parking.
If the vehicle has been parked for two weeks or longer, do not operate the power
rear door until you have turned the key to “START” and the “READY” light stays on.
If the vehicle has been parked for a long time, the 12-volt and the hybrid battery will
discharge gradually. For parking longer than about 30 days, charging of the 12-volt
battery may be required. See your dealership for details. To keep the hybrid battery
in good condition, drive the vehicle at least once every several months for at least 30
minutes or ten miles. If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and the vehicle
will not start, even with a jump start to the 12-volt battery, contact your
Lexus dealership.
Driving the RX 400h
HYBRID OVERVIEW RX 400h
3
RX400h
Hybrid Luxury
Driving Performance
While hybrid vehicles have become known for "exceptional fuel economy,"
for the RX 400h, Lexus engineers had the goal of creating a new type of hybrid
that delivered the highest levels of "luxury driving performance." The result was
the first hybrid that delivers the acceleration of a powerful gasoline V8 engine.
In fact, the "400" in RX 400h stands for the power output of the 3.3 L engine
and hybrid battery which, when combined, approximate the power of a
4.0 liter V8 engine.
The RX 400h can deliver smooth V8-like acceleration in performance driving
conditions or it can deliver economy in economy driving conditions, while complying
with very clean Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) tailpipe emissions
standards. You can choose performance driving by simply pressing on the
accelerator. Choosing to maximize economy driving with the RX 400h, or other
vehicles, involves many factors. Please see "Ten tips for improving fuel economy" on
page 7 of this booklet for details. Comparing the ratings of the RX 400h with V8powered luxury SUVs highlights the versatile capabilities of the Lexus hybrid system.
1
Source: Car and Driver Magazine (m/yr)
4
Manufacturer’s estimate
2
Source: EPA Fuel Economy Guide SULEV = Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
3
Source: California Air Resources Board ULEV = Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
Vehicle Make/Model
EPA MPG
City / Highway
2
2006 Lexus RX 400h AWD
2005 Porsche Cayenne S (4.5L V-8)
2004 BMW X5 4.4i (4.4L V-8 AWD)
2005 Cadillac SRX (4.6L V-8 AWD)
2005 Range Rover HSE (4.4L V-8 4WD)
0-60
Acceleration
1
6.9 sec
1
(3/05)
7.3 sec
1
(11/04)
7.1 sec
1
(4/04)
6.7 sec
1
(11/04)
8.2 sec
4
31 / 27
14 / 18
16 / 22
15 / 20
12 / 16
Emissions
Class
3
SULEV
SULEV
ULEV
ULEV
ULEV
The RX 400h versus the competition
HYBRID OVERVIEW RX 400h
4
Hybrid Luxury Driving Performance
What you can expect from your RX 400h:
• The acceleration performance of a 4.0L V8
0 – 60 mph acceleration in 7.5* seconds, Front-wheel drive
(Source: Manufacturer’s estimate)
0 – 60 mph acceleration in 6.9* seconds, All-wheel drive
(Source: Car and Driver magazine, March 2005)
• Better mileage ratings than most V8-powered SUVs
The mileage estimate ratings for the RX 400h are higher than
the typical V8-powered SUV.
• Significantly lower emissions than most V8-powered SUVs
The RX 400h is classified as a Super Ultra-Low Emissions
Vehicle (SULEV).
• Excellent performance at high altitudes and in mountain driving.
Traditional gasoline-powered vehicles may suffer from decreased performance
at higher altitudes where there is less oxygen in the air. Because the power
output of the hybrid battery is not directly affected by altitude, the RX 400h's
acceleration performance can be less affected by altitude than a conventional
vehicle.
* This performance capacity figure is for comparison only, and was obtained with a prototype
vehicle by a professional driver using special safety equipment and procedures. This should
not be attempted on public streets or highways.
HYBRID OVERVIEW RX 400h
5
RX400h
EPA Mileage Estimates
& Fuel Economy
Quick Facts - EPA Mileage Estimates
The EPA estimated fuel economy numbers are derived from vehicle testing
conducted at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) National
Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Vehicle
manufacturers also submit test results based on strict EPA standardized drive
patterns. Each year, the EPA provides the data to the Department of Energy,
which publishes the results at www.fueleconomy.gov.
Some quick facts about EPA estimated fuel economy tests:
Federal law requires EPA estimated fuel economy to be provided on a fuel
economy label affixed to the window of every vehicle (see Figure 1). The EPA
estimates serve as a useful guide for comparing the relative fuel efficiency of
various vehicles and are intended for comparison only. Fuel economy estimates
are determined under ideal laboratory conditions following a standardized test
determined by federal law. Each vehicle must complete 2 tests simulating city
and highway driving. The vehicle’s drive wheels are placed on special equipment
that simulates the driving environment.
EPA Tests Assume:
•
Ve ry slow acceleration
•
Straight, level roads
• Air-conditioning is turned off
• 18% idle time for city test
• 0 idle time for highway test
(See www.fueleconomy.gov for further details.)
•
Average speed of 20 mph for city test
(top speed 56 mph)
•
Average speed of 48 mph for highway
test (top speed of 60 mph)
HYBRID OVERVIEW RX 400h
6
EPA Mileage Estimates & Fuel Economy
Actual Mileage will vary with
options, driving conditions,
driving habits and vehicle’s
condition. Results reported to
EPA indicate that the major ity
of vehicles with these estimates
will achieve between
26 and 36 mpg in the city
and between
22 and 32 mpg on the
highway
Typical EPA Mileage Estimate data found on vehicle window sticker
(Sticker and figures for AWD model) - Figure 1.
Why you may not achieve the EPA estimates
Because the EPA fuel economy estimates are derived in ideal laboratory
conditions, they are just estimates, which may not reflect real world conditions.
There are many factors which may cause your actual mileage with the
RX 400h, or other vehicles, to vary from the EPA estimates:
• Quick acceleration and heavy braking may reduce mileage by as much as
33% in highway driving and as much as 5% in city driving.
• Driving at highway speeds above 60 mph. (The maximum EPA highway test
speed is 60 mph, the average speed is 48 mph)
• Driving on hilly or mountainous terrain and unpaved roads. (EPA tests
assume flat roads.)
• Short trips cause the engine to run more as a percentage of driving,
as it warms the emissions system.
• Carrying extra weight or towing a trailer. (The EPA test assumes only
300 lbs. of passengers and cargo.)
• Cargo racks. (Vehicles are tested without cargo racks, which can
increase wind drag.)
• Poor maintenance. (Vehicles tested are in top condition.)
• New vehicles. (Optimum fuel economy may not be realized until the
engine is "broken-in," which may take up to 5,000 miles.)
(Source for above information: www.fueleconomy.gov)
HYBRID OVERVIEW RX 400h
7
EPA Mileage Estimates & Fuel Economy
Ten tips for improving fuel economy
The following tips can help you achieve the best possible fuel economy:
1) Plan ahead to combine short trips in order to minimize cold starts.
2) Accelerate slowly.
3) Avoid heavy braking. Monitor traffic to minimize braking and coast
whenever possible.
4) Avoid speeds in excess of 60 mph; fuel economy suffers at speeds higher
than 60 mph and drops significantly above 70 mph.
5) In stop-and-go traffic, accelerate to the desired level then lift off the
accelerator pedal allowing the vehicle to run more on electric power.
6) Check tire pressure and maintain it at the recommended pressure.
7) Avoid carrying unnecessary loads; extra weight reduces fuel economy.
8) Use the air conditioner and defroster only as needed.
9) Use premium fuel to improve fuel economy and performance.
10) Use the "D" gear position rather than the "B" position. During normal
driving conditions, always drive in "D" for best fuel economy. Only use
"B" gear position if needed to help maintain vehicle speed when going
down steep grades.
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