wheel Lexus HS250h 2010 Hybrid System / LEXUS 2010 HS250H (OM75006U) Owner's Guide

109
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
■When to contact your Lexus dealer
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. Do not dis-
connect the 12-volt battery cables before contacting your Lexus dealer.
●Any of the SRS airbags has been inflated.
●The front of the vehicle is damaged or
deformed, or was involved in an accident
that was not severe enough to cause the
SRS airbags to inflate.
●A portion of a door is damaged or
deformed, or the vehicle was involved in an
accident that was not severe enough to
cause the SRS side airbags and curtain
shield airbags to inflate.
●The pad section of the steering wheel,
dashboard near the front passenger airbag
or lower portion of the instrument panel is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise dam-
aged.
●The surface of the front seats and rear seat
side garnishes (padding) with the side air-
bag is scratched, cracked, or otherwise
damaged.
●The portion of the front pillars, rear pillars
or roof side rail garnishes (padding) con-
taining the curtain shield airbags inside is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise dam-
aged.

110
1-8. Safety information
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags. 
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly. 
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
●The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or
serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises:
Since the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of infla-
tion, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides you with a
clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering
wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250 mm) away now, you can
change your driving position in several ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals
comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat.  Although vehicle designs vary, many dr ivers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm)
distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, simply by reclining the
back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it hard to
see the road, raise yourself by using a firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the
seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, ti lt it downward. This points the airbag
toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still main-
taining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.

113
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●If a vinyl cover is put on the area where the SRS knee airbags will deploy, be sure
to remove it.
●Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts where the SRS side airbags
inflate as they may interfere with inflation of the airbags. Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly, disable the system or cause the
side airbags to inflate accidentally, resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS airbag
components. 
Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.
●Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS airbags have
deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
●If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbags have deployed, open a door
or window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Wash off
any residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
●If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel pad and
front and rear pillar garnishes, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by
your Lexus dealer.
●Do not attach anything to or lean anything
against areas such as the dashboard, steer-
ing wheel pad and lower portion of the
instrument panel. 
These items can become projectiles when
the SRS driver, front passenger and knee
airbags deploy.
●Do not attach anything to areas such as a
door, windshield glass, side door glass,
front or rear pillar, roof side rail, and assist
grip.
●Do not hang coat hangers or other hard
objects on the coat hooks. All of these
items could become projectiles and may
cause death or serious injury, should the
SRS curtain shield airbags deploy.

114
1-8. Safety information
CAUTION
■Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications with-
out consulting your Lexus dealer. 
The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing death or
serious injury.
●Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags
●Repairs, modifications, removal or replac ement of the steering wheel, instrument
panel, dashboard, seats, se at upholstery or rear seat side garnishes (padding),
front, side and rear pill ars or roof side rails
●Repairs or modifications of the front fender , front bumper, or side of the occupant
compartment
●Installation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars or kangaroo
bar etc.)
●Modifications to the vehi cle’s suspension system
●Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios and CD players
●Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability

136
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving:
■Starting the hybrid system
 P.
1 4 5
■Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, select the D position. 
( P
. 153) 
Check that the shift position indicator shows D.
Release the parking brake. ( P. 1 6 0 )
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the D position illuminated on the shif
t position indicator,
depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle will be stopped for an extended period of time, select
the P position. (
P. 1 5 3 )
■ Parking the vehicle
Stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 1 6 0)
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Press the P position switch to shift into P. ( P. 1 5 4 )
Check that the shift position indicator shows P. ( P. 1 5 3 )
Press the “POWER” switch to stop the hybrid system.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the indicator on
the “POWER” switch is off.
Lock the door, making sur
e that you have the electronic key on
your person.

140
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
●Do not shift the shift position to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Moving the shift position to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
hybrid system. Engine braking is not avai lable with the hybrid system disengaged.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid sys-
tem off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. Th is will make it more difficult to steer
and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so. However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to
stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 4 9 2
●Use engine braking (shift position B) to maintain a safe speed when driving down
a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. ( P. 1 5 3 )
●Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving. 
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents, resulting
in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers' arms, he ads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, accelerati on and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehi cle, resulting in an accident.
●Abrupt changes from shift position D to B and rapid changes in the engine speed
could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle , lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on on ly one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be af fected, resulting in an accident.

144
2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brak e pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire. ( P. 5 2 1 )
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, transaxle fluid for the hybrid system
etc.
●Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possible), and
the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
As flooding may damage components involv ed in P position control, the parking
lock may jam in the locked position.
■If the vehicle will not shift out of the P position
There is a possibility that the 12-volt batt ery is discharged. Check the 12-volt battery
in this situation.

161
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Horn
■After adjusting the steering wheel (manually adjustable type)
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked. 
The horn may not sound if the steeri ng
wheel is not securely locked. (P. 7 9 )
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the
mark.

179
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Touch tracer display function
The switch operation is shown on the head-up display when the steering
switch provided on the steering wheel is oper ated. The driver can oper-
ate the steering switch without s eeing it on the steering wheel.
The display will change in
r
esponse to steering switch opera -
tion.
Touching the steering switch will
cause the touch tracer display to
appear on the head-up display.

216
2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
■Conditions under which the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control may not function
correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the foll owing conditions as the radar sensor may
not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and a fatal or serious accident may
result:
●When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the function-
ing of the sensor
●When your vehicle is pointing upwards (c aused by a heavy load in the trunk etc.)
●When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
●When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
●When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly
■Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the cruise control system can function effectively.
Otherwise, the system may not function correctly and could result in an accident.
●Keep the sensor and front grille cover clean at all times. 
Clean the sensor and front grille cover with a soft cloth so you do not mark or
damage them.
●Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact. 
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may malfunction. If the
sensor or surrounding area is subject to a strong impact, always have the area
inspected and adjusted by a Lexus dealer.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille cover or surrounding
area.
●Do not modify or paint the sensor and grille cover.
●Do not replace them with non-genuine parts.