traction Lexus HS250h 2010 User Guide

138
2-1. Driving procedures
HS250h_U_75033U(Canada)
■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 2 )
■For efficient use
●Select the D position when driving.
In the N position, the gasoline engine operates 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 run if the hybrid battery is discharged.
■Environment-friendly driving
■Customization
Settings for the Eco Driving Indicator Light can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 5 74 ) 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)

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75033U(Canada)
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 willresult 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 while a forward driving position is selected,
or roll forward while R is selected.
Doing so may result in an accident 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.

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2-1. Driving procedures
HS250h_U_75033U(Canada)
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas late at night, or in indoor
parking lots etc. without concern for noises and exhaust gas emissions.
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned
on, the EV drive mode indicator
will come on. Pressing the
switch when in EV drive mode
will return the vehicle to normal
driving (using the gasoline
engine and electric motor [trac-
tion motor]).

151
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75033U(Canada)
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it can-
not be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-
information display.
●Engine coolant temperature is low.
●Vehicle speed is about 19mph (30km/h) or more.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
An “Energy Monitor” display of level 3 or lower may indicate a low battery level.
( → P. 3 2 )
● The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32°F (0°C) for a
long period of time etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
■Automatic cancellation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in
the following situations. When EV drive mo de is canceled, a buzzer will sound and
the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is level 2
or lower. ( →P. 3 2 )
●Vehicle speed becomes more than about 19 mph (30 km/h).
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancellation in advance, a prior
notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, it is possible to drive up to about several hundred yards if driving
at a speed of about 19 mph (30 km/h) or less. (The distance that is possible
depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving conditions.)

152
2-1. Driving procedures
HS250h_U_75033U(Canada)
■Fuel economy
HS250h is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal driv-
ing (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the vehi-
cle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other
people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle starting off or
approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

157
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75033U(Canada)
■Power mode automatic deactivation
Power mode is automatically deactivated if the “POWER” switch is turned off after
driving in power mode.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 5 74 )
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting in
an accident.
■For the shift lever
Do not hang anything on the shift lever.
Doing so could prevent the shift lever fr om returning to position, causing unex-
pected accidents to occur when the vehicle is in motion.
NOTICE
■Situations where P position control system malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs, P position control system malfunctions are
possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, apply the parking
brake, and then contact your Lexus dealer.
●When the “P Lock Malfunction” warning message appears on the multi-informa-
tion display. ( →P. 5 0 2 )
●When the P position switch indicator flashes.
●When the shift position symbols (such as P and R) are flashing on the shift posi-
tion indicator.
●When the shift position indicator remains off.
■When in heavy traffic
If shift position N is selected, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery from discharging, avoid leaving the N position
selected for an extended period of time.

225
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75033U(Canada)
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced vehicle stability control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling steering performance.
■PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
→ P. 2 3 2

407
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
HS250h_U_75033U(Canada)
■Caring for leather areas
Lexus recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year to main-
tain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
■Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a sponge or
brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not use water. Wipe dirty
surfaces and let them dry. Excellent results are obtained by keeping the carpet as
dry as possible.
■Seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also check the
belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
CAUTION
■Water in the vehicle
●Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle, such as on the floor, in the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) air vents, and in the trunk.
Doing so may cause the hybrid battery, electrical components, etc. to malfunc-
tion or catch fire.
●Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet.
(→ P. 1 0 6 )
An electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function prop-
erly, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect off the
windshield, obstructing the driver’s view and leading to an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.

441
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
HS250h_U_75033U(Canada)
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replacement tire is greater than 1 /2 of the
Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, which-
ever is greater.
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driving
under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction perfor-
mance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered
or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires
is recommended. When installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be ade-
quate for driving in most winter conditions as well as for use year-round. All sea-
son tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance compared with
snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration
and handling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires.
If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capac-
ity as the originally installed tires. Since your vehicle has radial tires as original
equipment, make sure your snow tires also have radial construction. Do not install
studded tires without first checking local regulations for possible restrictions.
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels. ( →P. 2 4 4 )
■Initializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the system with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the specified level.
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost. For the GAWR, see the Certification Label.
For the maximum load of the tire, see the load
limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure
mentioned on the sidewall of the tire.
(
→ P. 5 6 2 )

510
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HS250h_U_75033U(Canada)
Alerts the driver that the
vehicle is out of the lanes
(while the LKA system is
operating).A buzzer also sounds.
The lane markings and/
or the steering wheel
marking flash.
At the same time,
will appear on
the head-up display (the
image flashes).
Check the road condi-
tions and drive the vehicle
at a safe speed.
Indicates that the hybrid
system has overheated A buzzer also sounds.Stop and check.
(→ P. 5 4 1 )
(Flashes)
Indicates that the traction
battery is low
The warning buzzer
sounds intermittently.
When stopping the vehi-
cle for a long period of
time, change the shift
position to P. The battery
cannot be charged with
the shift position in N.
(Flashes)
Indicates that the traction
battery power has
dropped because a long
period of time has
elapsed after changing
the shift position to NThe warning buzzer
sounds continuously.
Restart the hybrid system
when starting the vehicle.
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure