About The Highlander Hybrid - Toyota Highlander 2008 Emergency Response Manual

About the Highlander Hybrid

The Highlander hybrid continues into its 2
electric hybrid vehicle. Hybrid Synergy Drive means that the vehicle
contains a gasoline engine and electric motors for power. The two
hybrid power 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 motors.
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 Highlander hybrid 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
Highlander hybrid operates in various driving modes.

During light acceleration at low speeds, the vehicle is powered by
the electric motors. The gasoline engine is shut off.

During normal driving, the vehicle is powered mainly by the
gasoline engine. The gasoline engine also powers the generator to
recharge the battery pack.
nd
generation as a gasoline-

During full acceleration, such as climbing a hill, both the gasoline
engine and the electric motor power the vehicle.

During deceleration, such as when 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
motors are off, however the vehicle remains on and operational.
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