It’s easy to forget that a hybrid battery doesn’t operate well in cold weather. If you’re having trouble getting your Lexus hybrid to start, you might be dealing with a battery problem. Don’t forget that the combustion engine side of the vehicle may be struggling, too!
Lexus
currently offers hybrid variations on six of its most popular vehicles. Owners can now enjoy a luxury ride with better fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, a hybrid’s performance and efficiency decrease as the temperature drops. This might even mean that you can’t start your hybrid Lexus!Here, we’ll walk through the most likely reasons your car won’t start and provide suggestions on what to do next.
The 5 most common reasons your Lexus hybrid won’t start in the cold
1. Dead battery
The problem: The 12-volt battery is drained from being in the cold for too long.
What to do: Get out jumper cables and jump the 12-volt battery, or replace it if jumping the battery doesn’t work.
How much it should cost: $0–$340
The battery is a good place to start if your Lexus hybrid won’t turn on. It’s easy to focus on the hybrid battery system, but don’t forget that your hybrid also has a 12-volt battery (just like regular combustion engines).
Most batteries last from three to five years, so if your hybrid is older, the 12-volt battery might be dead. If it was getting weaker, the cold temperatures might have sped up the process. Or, it may have battery terminal corrosion, which is interrupting the flow of power.
Ask a friend or neighbor with a car for help. Get out your jumper cables, and connect them to the battery terminals on both cars. Start the working car's engine. Let it run for five minutes to charge your hybrid’s 12-volt battery.
Then, turn on your hybrid. Check that the “Ready” indicator comes on. Hopefully, you’re all set to drive, but it’s a good idea to get your battery checked regardless so this doesn’t keep happening.
2. Cold hybrid battery
The problem: If temperatures are too low, the hybrid battery can’t start.
What to do: Start the combustion engine or wait for the hybrid battery to warm up before you try to drive.
How much it should cost: $0
Your Lexus owner’s manual probably has an entry about starting your hybrid in an extremely cold environment. Lexus notes that it might not be possible to start the hybrid system—instead, you’ll have to wait until it warms up outside.
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3. Clogged fuel lines
The problem: Condensation from the fuel tank can clog the fuel lines, which can prevent your car from starting.
What to do: Clean out the lines with a vacuum or plunger.
How much it should cost: $20–$150 or more
So, you’ve checked the batteries, and they’re not the problem. Now what?
The fuel lines are the next-best possibility. In cold weather, moisture in the fuel tank can condense and clog the fuel lines, pump, or filter. If any of these become blocked, you won’t be able to start the combustion engine (which is how your hybrid usually starts in the winter).
For a possible quick fix, add fuel to the gas tank. If your tank is less than a quarter full, adding fuel might remove the cold air inside the tank and get things moving.
The other option is to let your car warm up. Some people place portable electric heaters near the fuel line. If you do, take care that you don’t use an open-flame heater or heat gun, which could spark a fire.
If you suspect a clogged filter or fuel pump
, you’re looking at a more expensive solution. Replace the clogged part or take your hybrid to a dealership for repairs. 4. Incorrect engine oil
The problem: The wrong engine oil will either be too viscous or could turn gel-like in the cold, which stops the engine from working.
What to do: Find the Lexus oil recommendation for your hybrid and replace the oil.
How much it should cost: $45–$75
Unfortunately, just because you have a hybrid doesn’t mean you can get away with missing oil changes or using the wrong type of oil. The right engine oil is essential for keeping your hybrid running correctly. This is especially true when the temperatures drop.
Lexus recommends that you use Toyota Genuine Motor Oil SAE 0W-20 for most hybrids. The “W” in the code stands for the oil’s viscosity (or thickness) in the winter, and the “0” tells you that the engine oil is very thin even when it’s well below freezing. If you’ve currently got 20W or 30W, the oil probably isn’t thin enough when it’s really cold out.
If you’ve currently got the wrong type of oil and your hybrid won’t start, it’s time for an oil change
. Swap out the current oil with the correct type, and you should be on your way. 5. Frozen coolant
The problem: Coolant protects your engine from increased pressure and cracking in cold temperatures, but it can freeze and make your combustion engine overheat.
What to do: Wait for the coolant to thaw on its own.
How much it should cost: $0
Your Lexus hybrid has two types of coolant
—standard engine coolant and inverter hybrid coolant. These can freeze in frigid temperatures, or you can run out of them if it’s been a while since you topped them off. Let’s look at the freezing issue first. If the coolant freezes, your engine can actually overheat. As you can imagine, this will cause some serious problems—not to mention you won’t be able to start your hybrid.
If you think the coolant is frozen, don’t try to drive the car! Instead, let your hybrid thaw. This is a big reason why it’s best to store a hybrid in a garage during cold weather.
Don’t forget to check your coolant levels regularly, too. Hybrid coolant only needs to be changed every 15 years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first). If your standard engine coolant is looking low, top it off.
Other causes: bad alternator, faulty starter, or insufficient fuel
Cold weather is certainly tough on a hybrid car. You’ll probably notice your fuel efficiency and range plummet when it’s cold out. But your Lexus might have starting problems that have nothing to do with the weather.
Here are some issues to keep an eye on:
Bad alternator: You know the twin battery systems are critical, but the alternator is also an essential component. If the alternator wears out or is faulty
, the battery won’t have enough power, so your hybrid can’t start. Failed starter: Do you hear clicking when you try to start your Lexus? This could be the sound of a bad solenoid—the part that transfers electricity to the starter motor
. Empty fuel tank: This is a simple one to troubleshoot. Even though your Lexus can run on electric power when it’s low on gas, it can’t run if there’s no gas in the tank. If you know you put gas in it recently but the tank is empty, it’s a good idea to check for a fuel leak.
Ignition glitches: Sometimes, an electrical problem with the ignition switch
or the ignition lock cylinder stops the car from turning on. Dirty or loose spark plugs: Your hybrid needs a spark for engine ignition. If the spark plugs
are dirty, broken, or loosely connected, the car won’t start. Dead key fob battery: If you’re lucky, the problem might be as simple as replacing your key fob battery.
MORE: Winter tires vs. all-season tires
Overcoming cold weather problems
We get it—it’s super frustrating when you step outside on a cold morning only to find that your Lexus won’t turn on. Instead of panicking (or losing your cool), add these simple steps to your winter driving routine.
Park in a garage
There’s not much you can do once your hybrid battery is cold other than wait. To prevent your car’s battery from getting that cold in the first place, make space to park in a garage. If you can heat the garage a little, even better!
Buy an engine block heater
If you live in a cold climate that frequently has chilly overnight lows, buy an engine block with a timer. Then, set the timer to come on a few hours before you plan to drive or just plug it in the night before. Enjoy a stress-free morning and better winter range!
Keep your hybrid plugged in
By now, you know how tough freezing temps are on your hybrid’s battery. To prevent the battery from draining or struggling to start, plan on leaving it plugged in whenever you’re not driving. This way, your Lexus is ready to start whenever you need it.
MORE: 8 ways to prepare your car for winter driving or storage
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