Check hybrid system Lexus HS250h 2010 Hybrid system / LEXUS 2010 HS250H (OM75006U) User Guide

141
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■When changing the shift position
Be careful not to change the shift position with the accelerator pedal depressed. 
Changing the shift position to any positions other than P or N may cause the vehicle
to accelerate abruptly, causing an accident and resulting in death or serious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping no ise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replac e the brake pads as soon as possible. 
Rotor damage may result if the pa ds are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily. 
If the vehicle is in any shift position other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly , causing an accident.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long time. 
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
check that exhaust fumes do no t enter the vehicle interior.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the “READY” indicator is on. Apply the parking
brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine. 
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the
exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is
nearby.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarett e lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun. 
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.

142
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle's electrical com-
ponents.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a place such
as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when luggage is loaded
or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
●Do not attach adhesive discs to the wind shield or windows. Do not place contain-
ers such as air fresheners on the instru ment panel or dashboard. Adhesive discs
or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a metal-
lized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause the glass to
act as a lens, causing a fire.
●Always apply the parking brake, select shift position P, stop the hybrid system,
and lock the vehicle. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the hybrid system is operating.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the hybrid system is operating or immedi-
ately after turning the hybrid system off. 
Doing so may cause burns.
●Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or where
it is snowing. If snowbanks build up arou nd the vehicle while the hybrid system is
operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to
death or a serious health hazard.
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harm ful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the hybrid system. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may
lead to death or a serious health hazard.
●The exhaust system should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure to
have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Lexus dealer. Failure to do so
may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in death or a serious health
hazard.

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.

145
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic key on
your person starts the hybrid system or changes “POWER” switch modes.
■Starting the hybrid system
Check that the parking brake is set.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “POWER” switch indicator will turn green. If the indicator does
not turn green, the hybrid system cannot be started.
When shift position N is selected, the hybrid system cannot start.
Select the P position when star
ting the hybrid system.
Press the “POWER” switch.
After a while, the “READY” indi -
cator comes on with a beep
sound.
The vehicle can move when the
“READ
Y” indicator is on even if
the engine is stopped.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal
until the hybrid system is
completely started.
The hybrid system can be
star
ted from any mode.

146
2-1. Driving procedures
■Stopping the hybrid system
Stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 1 6 0)
Press the P position switch to shift into P. ( P. 1 5 4 )
Check that the shift position indicator on the instrument cluster
shows P. ( P. 1 5 3 )
Press the “POWER” switch.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the indicator on
the “POWER” switch is off.
■ Changing “P
OWER” switch modes
Modes can be changed by pressing the “P
OWER” switch with the
brake pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is
pressed.)
Off
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can be
used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns a
mber.
ON mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns a
mber.

149
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances. 
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the “POWER” switch for more than 3 seconds.
However, do not touch the "POWER" switch while driving except in an emergency.
Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking
control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more diffi-
cult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.
●If the hybrid system is off, but the indica tor on the “POWER” switch is illuminated,
this indicates that the “POWER” switch is still turned on. When exiting the vehi-
cle, always check that the “POWER” switch is off.
■When starting the hybrid system
Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the “POWER” switch
If the “POWER” switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus
dealer immediately.

154
2-1. Driving procedures
■Shift position purpose
*: For good fuel economy and noise redu ction, the D position should usually
be used.
■ P position switch
The shift position can be changed to P thr
ough use of the P position
switch.
Fully stop the vehicle and keep
depr
essing the brake pedal, and
then press the P position switch.
When the shift position is
changed to P, the switch indica -
tor comes on.
Check that the P position indi -
cator is illuminated on the shift
position indicator
.
●Changing the shift position from P to other positions:
• While depressing the brake pedal firmly, operate the shift lever. If the
shift lever is operated without depressing the brake pedal, the buzzer
will sound and the shifting operation will be disabled.
• The shift position cannot be changed from P to B directly.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
BApplying moderate engine braking when driving down
hills or on steep slopes

167
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving*1:These lights turn on when the “POWER” switch is turned to the ON mode to indicate that a system check is be ing performed. They will turn off after
the hybrid system is on, or after a fe w seconds. There may be a malfunction
in a system if a light does not come on, or if the lights do not turn off. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
*2:The indicator flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
*3:The indicator flashes faster than usua l to indicate that the system is operat-
ing.
VSC OFF indicator 
( P. 2 2 6 ) Shift position indicators 
( P. 1 5 6 )
(if equipped)
“PCS” indicator 
( P. 2 3 3 )SRS airbag on-off 
indicator ( P. 115)
*1
*1, 3*1

168
2-2. Instrument cluster
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS and SRS airbag warning light not
come on when you start the hybrid system , this could mean that these systems are
not available to help protect you in an accid ent, which could result in death or seri-
ous injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately if this
occurs.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehi-
cle’s systems. ( P. 4 9 2 )
*1: These lights turn on when the “POWER” switch is turned to ON mode
to indicate that a system check is being performed. They will turn off
after the hybrid system is on, or after a few seconds. There may be a
malfunction in a system if a light does not come on, or if the lights do not
turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
*2: The indicator flashes to indicate a malfunction.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)
redyellow
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(if equipped)
(if equipped)(if equipped)(if equipped)
(if equipped)(for driver)(for front
passenger)
*1*1*1*1*1*1*1
*1*1*1*1*1, 2
*1*1, 2*2*2*2*1*1
*2

414
4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors/trunk• Do the doors and trunk operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work properly?
Fluid leaks
• There should not be any signs of fluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.
Ti r e s
• Is the tire inflation pressure cor-
rect?
• The tires should not be damaged or excessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance
schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
CAUTION
■If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.