About The Rx 400H - Lexus RX 400h Hybrid 2007 Emergency Response Manual

About the RX 400h

The RX 400h is the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle for Lexus. The
gasoline-electric hybrid system has been named Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Hybrid Synergy Drive means that the vehicle contains a gasoline engine
and an electric motor for power. Two energy sources are stored on
board the vehicle:
1. Gasoline stored in the fuel tank for the gasoline engine.
2. Electricity stored in a high voltage Hybrid Vehicle (HV) battery
pack for the electric motor.
The result of combining these two power sources is improved fuel
economy and reduced emissions. The gasoline engine also powers an
electric generator to recharge the battery pack; unlike a pure all electric
vehicle, the RX 400h never needs to be recharged from an external
electric power source.
Depending on the driving conditions one or both sources are used to
power the vehicle. The following illustration demonstrates how the RX
400h operates in various driving modes.
On light acceleration at low speeds, the vehicle is powered by the
electric motor. The gasoline engine is shut off.
During normal driving, the vehicle is powered mainly by the
gasoline engine. The gasoline engine is also used to recharge the
battery pack.
During full acceleration, such as climbing a hill, both the gasoline
engine and the electric motor power the vehicle.
During deceleration, such as braking, the vehicle regenerates the
kinetic energy from the wheels to produce electricity that recharges
the battery pack.
While the vehicle is stopped, the gasoline engine and electric motor
are off, however the vehicle remains on and operational.
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