engine Lexus HS250h 2010 Basic Information Before Operation / LEXUS 2010 HS250H OWNERS MANUAL (OM75006U)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
4-2. MaintenanceMaintenance 
requirements.............................. 409
General maintenance ................... 411
Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) 
programs ....................................... 415
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service 
precautions ................................... 416
Hood................................................... 419
Positioning a floor jack............... 420
Engine compartment.................. 422
12-volt battery................................ 433
Tires ................................................... 437
Tire inflation pressure................. 445
Wheels.............................................. 448
Air conditioning filter................. 450
Electronic key battery ................ 453
Checking and replacing 
fuses ................................................ 455
Headlight aim 
(LED headlights) ....................... 467
Light bulbs ....................................... 469 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .................... 482
If your vehicle needs to be 
towed ............................................ 483
If you think something is 
wrong ............................................ 489
Event data recorder.................... 490
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on 
or a warning buzzer 
sounds... ......................................... 492
If a warning message is 
displayed........................................ 501
If you have a flat tire...................... 521
If the hybrid system will not 
start ................................................ 530
If you lose your keys .................... 532
If the electronic key does 
not operate prop erly ............... 533
If the vehicle 12-volt battery 
is discharged ............................... 536
If your vehicle overheats ............ 541
If the vehicle becomes 
stuck................................................ 545
5When trouble arises

24
1-1. Hybrid system
Hybrid system
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from con-
ventional vehicles. Be sure you are clos ely familiar
with the characteristics
of your vehicle, and operate with care.
The hybrid system combines the use of a gasoline engine and an electric
motor (
traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving fuel effi -
ciency and reducing exhaust emissions.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (Traction motor)
■ When stopped/
during start off
The gasoline engine stops* when the v
ehicle is stopped. During
start off, the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehicle. At
slow speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine is
stopped* and the motor is used.
When shift position N is selected, the hybrid batter
y (traction bat-
tery) will not be charged. Thus, sele ct P when the v
ehicle is stopped.
In addition, when driving in heavy traffic, use D or B.

25
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and decel-
eration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid bat -
tery (traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with shift position D or B
selected.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driving with shift position D or B selected.
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and
stops automatically. However, it may not stop auto -
matically in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
●When the heater is switched on
*: However, when the hybrid battery (traction battery) need to be
charged or while the engine is being warmed up, the gasoline
engine may not stop automatically.
■ During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predomina ntly used. The electric motor
(tr
action motor) charges the hybrid battery as necessary.
■ When acceler
ating sharply
The power of the hybrid battery (tract ion batter
y) is added to that of
the gasoline engine via the electric motor (traction motor).
■ When br
aking (regenerative braking)
The electric motor (traction motor) char
ges the hybrid battery
(traction battery).

26
1-1. Hybrid system
■Charging the battery
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if the vehicle is left
parked for a long time the hybrid battery will slowly discharge. For this reason, be
sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or
10 miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery be comes fully discharged and you are unable
to jump-start the vehicle with the 12-v olt battery, contact your Lexus dealer.
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or has been changed or removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibrat ion even though the vehicle is able to
move. Always change the shift position to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is operating
and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard fr om the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid ba ttery (traction battery) behind the rear
seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the transaxle wh en the hybrid system starts or stops,
or while the vehicle is idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenerati ve braking when the brake pedal is
depressed and accelerator is loosened.
●Other sounds, such as motors and mechanical noises, may be heard from the
brake system when the brake pedal is depressed.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent on the side of rear left
seatback.
When driving in Eco mode, the fan noise may be louder than when driving nor-
mally.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding main tenance, repair, recycling and disposal.
Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

34
1-1. Hybrid system
These images are examples only, and may vary slightly from actual conditions.
Navigation screenMulti-information
display
When the vehicle is
powered by the
electric motor
(traction motor)
When the vehicle is
powered by both
the gasoline engine
and the electric
motor (traction
motor)
When the vehicle is
powered by the 
gasoline engine
When the vehicle is
charging the hybrid 
battery (traction 
battery)
When there is no
energy flow
Hybrid battery 
(traction battery)
statusLowFullLowFull

38
1-1. Hybrid system
■Air conditioning
Use the air conditioning only when necessary. Doing so can help control
excessive gasoline consumption. 
In summer: In high temperatures, use the r
ecirculated air mode. Doing so
will help to reduce the burden on the air conditioner and reduce fuel con -
sumption as well. 
In winter: Because the gasoline engine will not automatically cut out until
the gasoline
engine and the interior of the vehicle are warm, it will con -
sume fuel. Also, fuel consumption can be impr
oved by avoiding overuse of
the heater.
■ Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflatio n pressure frequently. Improper tire
inflation pressure can cause poor fuel consumption. 
Also, as snow tires can cause large amounts of friction, their use on dry
r
oads can lead to poor fuel consumptio n. Use a tire that is appropriate for
the season.
■ Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage can lead to poor fuel consumption. Avoid carry-
ing unnecessary luggage. Installing a la r
ge roof rack can also cause poor
fuel consumption.
■ Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically when cold,
warming up the engine is unnecessary. Moreover, frequently driving short
distances will cause the engine to repeatedly warm up, which can lead to
poor fuel consumption.

93
1-6. Refueling
1
Before driving
Closing the fuel tank cap
After refueling, turn the fuel tank
cap until you hear a click. Once
the cap is released, it will turn
slightly in the opposite direction.
■If the fuel filler door opener is inoperable
■Fuel types
Use unleaded gasoline. (Octane rating 8
7 [Research Octane Number 91] or
higher)
■Fuel tank capacity
Approximately 14.5 gal. (55 L, 12.5 lmp. gal.)
■Use of ethanol blended gasoline in a gasoline engine
Lexus allows the use of ethanol blended gasoline where the ethanol content is up to
1
0%. Make sure that the ethanol blended gasoline to be used has a Research
Octane Number that follows the above.
The lever can be used to open the fuel filler
door if the fuel filler door cannot be opened
using the inside switch.

138
2-1. Driving procedures
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the
correct fuel. (P. 5 5 0 )
■For efficient use
●Select the D position when driving. 
In the N position, the gasoline engine op erates but electricity cannot be gener-
ated. The hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, requiring unnecessary
engine power to recharge.
●Drive your vehicle smoothly. 
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and decel-
eration will make more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) with-
out having to use gasoline engine power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration. 
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving with
the accelerator pedal slightly released.
●Select the P position when parking. 
In the N position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge. 
Leaving the N position selected for an extended period of time may discharge
the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot ru n if the hybrid battery is discharged.
■Environment-friendly driving
■Customization
Settings for the Eco Driving Indicator Light can be changed. 
(Customizable features P. 5 7 2 )
During environment-friendly acceleration
operation (Eco driving), the Eco Driving Indi-
cator Light will turn on. When the accelerator
pedal is depressed excessively, and when the
vehicle is stopped, the light turns off.
The Eco Driving Indicator Light will operate
when the vehicle is being driven with the shift
position in D. The indicator will not operate
when the vehicle is in power mode or EV
drive mode. ( P. 1 5 0 ,
155)

139
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid system
operating. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will
result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in
operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals
properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.
●The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is powered
only by the electric motor (traction motor). Because there is no engine noise, the
pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials. 
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●Do not let the vehicle roll backward whil e a forward driving position is selected,
or roll forward while R is selected. 
Doing so may result in an acci dent or damage to the vehicle.
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and check
that the trunk is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver
drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Do not shift the shift position to P while the vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift position to R while the vehicle is moving forward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.

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.