Rx450h "power" Dial

[lexusnewboy]

Hi, I've recently bought one of the new RX450h's. I've not had a Lexus before, but I thought I'd treat myself and the planet to a hybrid this time.

I was expecting to a see a rev counter, but there's a "power" gauge there instead.

Can anyone tell me what it does and what it's trying to show me?! I'm completely confused by it!

Mr. Confused!

[Monster-Mat]

does it not indicate "power" being delivered when accelerating, this is my understanding

[swfcdan]

i'm guessing its something to do with the power being used by the electric motors

[tankplanker]

If I remember about CVTs correctly the car works at a more or less constant revolution, there is no traditional "rev range" to display like with a normal gearbox.

The power dial is more a guide to how much effort the engine and/or electric motors are producing:

In the blue section and you are coasting, the Battery should be charging up.

First green section is normally electric only depending on speed and to a degree how steep the road is.

Second green section is normally petrol only.

The white is petrol and electric, again dependant on speed and how hard you press the accelerator.

You're meant to use the power dial to keep your MPG up, the more you keep it in the green section, preferably the first green section the better for MPG.

[gabbler69]

Tankplankers explanation is pretty much my understanding of the gauge. I am suprised though that your dealer didn't give you a thorough explantion of it. My dealer wouldn't let me leave until he had been over everything.

If you turn on the display and watch it with the gauge you can see tanks explanation in the flesh but don't not look at the road every now and then!!! My wife doesn't appreciate it when I do that ;-)

[lexusnewboy]

Thanks everyone for helping me out. What about the 'charging' zone. I was trying to work out exactly what it was representing - is it showing a % figure?