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172 4-2. Driving procedures LEXUS NX300h Owners Manu- al_USA_M78287_en 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 32 °F (0 °C) for a long period of time, etc. ● The gasoline engine is warming up. ● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low. The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low. ( ● 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 gas- oline 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 illuminated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gaso- line engine starts to switch to EV drive mode. ■ Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode When driving in EV drive mode, the gaso- line engine may automatically restart in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound, the EV drive mode indicator will go off after flash- ing, and a message is displayed on the multi-information display. ● The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low. The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low. ( ● Vehicle speed is high. ● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill, etc. ■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters to approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, depending on vehicle conditions, there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving conditions.) ■ Fuel economy The hybrid system 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. WARNING ■ Caution while driving When driving in EV drive mode, pay spe- cial attention to the area around the vehi- cle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicycles 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. |