About The Rx 450H - Toyota RX450h 2010 Emergency Response Manual

About the RX 450h

The RX 450h continues into its 2
hybrid vehicle. Lexus Hybrid 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 RX 450h 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
450h 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-electric
During full acceleration, such as climbing a hill, both the gasoline
engine and the electric motor(s) 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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