brake Lexus HS250h 2012 Owner's Guide

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
■Stopping the hybrid system
Stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( →P. 1 6 7 )
Press the P position switch to shift into P. ( →P. 161)
Check that the shift position indicator on the instrument cluster
shows P. ( →P. 1 6 0 )
Press the “POWER” switch.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the indicator on
the “POWER” switch is off.
■ Changing “POWER” switch modes
Modes can be changed by pressing the “POWER” 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 amber.
ON mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.

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■Auto power off function
When the shift position is in P, if the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY or ON mode
with the hybrid system not operating for more than 20 minutes (ACCESSORY
mode) or one hour (ON mode), the “POWER” switch will automatically turn off.
However, this function cannot entirely prevent the 12-volt battery from discharging.
Do not leave the vehicle with the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode
for long periods of time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
→P. 2 8
■Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 5 5
■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving conditions
It may take time until the “READY” indicator to come on.
■Conditions affecting operation
→P. 5 2
■Notes for the entry function
→P. 5 3
■If the hybrid system does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 101)
■When the “POWER” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the “POWER” switch
with the shift position in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→ P. 5 1 2
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 4 6 7

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When driving
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■Operation of the “POWER” switch
●When operating the “POWER” switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the “POWER”
switch mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the
“POWER” switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turn-
ing the “POWER” switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the
hybrid system.
■Automatic P position selection function
●When the shift position is in a position other than P, pressing the “POWER”
switch with the vehicle stopped completely will cause the shift position to
change to P automatically, and then the “POWER” switch will turn off.
●When turning the “POWER” switch off from a position other than P, firmly
depress the brake pedal and confirm that the shift position* has changed to P
before slowly releasing the brake pedal.
*: Even after the instrument panel display has been turned off, the shift positionindicator will continue to be displayed for several seconds.
●If the P position control system malfunctions, the “POWER” switch will not be
able to be turned off. In such a case, the switch can be turned off by applying the
parking brake.
When the system malfunctions, immediately have your vehicle serviced by your
Lexus dealer.

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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 resulting 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 indicator 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.

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Hybrid transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
Shift lever
Operate the shift lever gently
and ensure correct shifting
operation.When shifting to the D
or R positions, move the
shift lever along the shift
gate.
To shift to the N position,
slide the shift lever to the
left and hold it. The shift
position will change to N.
Shifting to B is only pos-
sible when shift position
D is selected.
The shift lever will
always return to this
position after a shifting
operation.
When shifting from P to D or R,
from D to R, or from R to D,
ensure that the brake pedal is
being depressed and the vehicle
is stationary.
Shift position indicator
When selecting the shift posi-
tion, make sure that the shift
position has been changed to
the desired position by checking
the shift position indicator pro-
vided on the instrument panel.
When any shift position other
than D or B is selected, the
arrow toward B and B position
indicator disappear from the
shift position indicator.

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When driving
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■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 through use of the P position
switch.
Fully stop the vehicle and keep
depressing 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

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When driving
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■For the shift positions
●When the “POWER” switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.
●When the “POWER” switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not operating),
the shift position can only be changed to N. The shift position will be changed to
N even if the shift lever is shifted to D or R and held in that position.
●When the “READY” indicator is on, the shift position can be changed from P to
D, N o r R .
●When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cannot be changed
from P to another position even if the shift lever is operated.
●The shift position can only be changed to B directly from D.
In addition, if the shift position is changed in any of the following situations, the
buzzer will sound and the shifting operation will be disabled or the shift position will
automatically change to N. When this happens, select an appropriate shift position.
● Situations where the shifting operation will be disabled:
• When the shift lever is changed from P to another position without depress- ing the brake pedal.
• When the shift position is changed from P or N to B.
● Situations where the shift position will automatically change to N:
• When the P position switch is pressed while the vehicle is running.*
1
• When an attempt is made to select the R position by moving the shift lever
when the vehicle is moving forward.*2
• When an attempt is made to select the D position by moving the shift leverwhen the vehicle is moving in reverse.*3
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from R to B by movingthe shift lever.
*
1: Shift position may be changed to P when driving at extremely low speeds.
*
2: Shift position may be changed to R when driving at low speeds.
*
3: Shift position may be changed to D when driving at low speeds.
■Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift position is
in R.

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When driving
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CAUTION
■P position switch
Do not press the P position switch while the vehicle is moving.
If the P position switch is pressed when driving at extremely low speeds (for exam-
ple, directly before stopping the vehicle), the vehicle may stop suddenly when the
shift position switches to P, which could lead to an accident.
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 1 3 )
●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.
■If the vehicle will not shift out of the P position
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery is discharged. Check the 12-volt battery
in this situation.
■Notes regarding shift lever and P position switch operation
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift lever and P position switch in quick succession.
The system protection function may activate and temporarily prevent the vehicle
from shifting out of the P position. If this happens, please wait for around 15 seconds
before attempting to change the shift position again.

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When driving
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Parking brake
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
The buzzer sounds to indicate that parking brake is still engaged (with the vehicle
having reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]). (→P. 5 1 6 )
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. ( →P. 2 5 8 )
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while
depressing the brake pedal with
your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
U.S.A.Canada

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
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*1: These lights turn on when the “POWER” switch is turned to the ON modeto 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 turn on, or if the lights do not turn off. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
*2:The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
*3:The light turns on when a part of the system is turned off. The light flashesquickly and “BRAKE!” appear on the multi-information display and head-
up display (if equipped) to indicate that the system is operating.
VSC OFF indicator
( → P. 2 4 0 ) Shift position indicators
(→ P. 1 6 0 )
(if equipped)
“PCS” warning
(→ P. 2 4 6 )SRS airbag on-off
indicator ( →P. 121)
*1
*1, 3*1