heating Lexus HS250h 2012 Owner's Manual

34
1-1. Hybrid system
HS250h_U_75050U
CAUTION
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with front wheels raised. If the wheels
connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground when towing,
the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may cause an electricity
leakage leading to a fire. (
→P. 4 9 5 )
●Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has leaked
onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave the vehicle as
soon as possible.
■Nickel-metal hydride battery
Your vehicle contains a sealed nickel-metal hydride battery. If disposed of improp-
erly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe burns and elec-
trical shock that may result in death or serious injury.
■Emergency shut off system
Carefully check to see if there are exposed high voltage parts or cables. Never
touch the parts or cables. (
→P. 3 0 )
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery air vent
●Do not put foreign objects near the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction battery)
may overheat and be damaged.
●Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery) from
overheating.
●Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vent as this may cause a
short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).
●Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the vehicle. If
water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may be dam-
aged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

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1-1. Hybrid system
HS250h_U_75050U
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the following
points:
■Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accelerator
pedal depression amount can be generated more smoothly than it is in
normal conditions. In addition, the operation of the air conditioning system
(heating/cooling) will be minimized, improving the fuel economy.
(→ P. 1 6 2 )
■Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the indicate of Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. ( →P. 171)
■When braking the vehicle
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and in good time. A greater
amount of electrical energy can be retained when slowing down.
■Delays
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at traffic
lights, will lead to bad fuel consumption. Check traffic reports before leav-
ing and avoid delays as much as po ssible. When encountering a delay,
gently release the brake pedal to allow the vehicle to move forward slightly
while avoiding overuse of the accelera tor pedal. Doing so can help control
excessive gasoline consumption.
■ Highway driving
Control your speed and keep at a constant speed. Also, before stopping at
a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to release the accelerator and
gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of electrical energy can be
retained when slowing down.

149
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
CAUTION
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful 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.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire due to
hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly venti-
lated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a
serious health hazard.
■When braking
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause one side
of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the pedal than
usual. Braking distance may also increase.
●The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the systems
fails, the others will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and the braking distance will increase. If this happens, do
not continue to drive the vehicle. If the brake system warning light (red indicator)
comes on while driving, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact
your Lexus dealer.

162
2-1. Driving procedures
HS250h_U_75050U
■Selecting a driving mode
The following modes can be sele cted to suit driving conditions:
Eco drive mode
Suitable for improving the fuel
economy, because the torque
corresponding to the accelera-
tor pedal depression amount
can be generated more
smoothly than it is in normal
conditions and the operation of
the air conditioning system
(heating/cooling) will be mini-
mized.
When the “ECO MODE”
switch is pressed, the “ECO
MODE” indicator comes on in
the meter.
Po w e r m o d e
Suitable when the vehicle needs
to drive powerfully or travels in
mountainous areas.
When the “PWR MODE”
switch is pressed, the “PWR
MODE” indicator comes on in
the meter.

164
2-1. Driving procedures
HS250h_U_75050U
■About engine braking
When shift position B is selected, releasing the accelerator pedal will apply engine
braking.
• When the vehicle is driven at high speeds, compared to ordinary gasoline-fueled vehicles, the engine braking deceleration is felt less than that of other
vehicles.
• The vehicle can be accelerated even when shift position B is selected.
If the vehicle is driven continuously in the B position, fuel efficiency will become low.
Usually, select the D position.
■Using air conditioning in Eco drive mode
The Eco drive mode controls heating/cooling and fan speed operation to improve
fuel consumption. When you want to improve the effectiveness of the air condition-
ing system, adjust the fan speed or cancel the Eco drive mode.
For more information, refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.
■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 8 4 )
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or change the shift position 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.

167
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
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

172
2-2. Instrument cluster
HS250h_U_75050U
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the hybrid system and its components
A high engine coolant temperature warning light (→P. 502) is installed instead of
an engine coolant temperature gauge. If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light illuminates or flashes, the vehicle may be overheating. Immediately
stop the vehicle in a safe area ( →P. 5 5 2 ) .

241
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from over-
heating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The
steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive
steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off. The EPS system
should return to normal within 10 minutes.
CAUTION
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●Tires with inadequate gripping ability are used (such as excessively worn tires on
a snow covered road).
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick road.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal condi-
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situations:
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven surfaces
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause
an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■When the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As
these are the systems to ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn the
TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.

390
3-7. Other interior features
HS250h_U_75050U
CAUTION
■Burns
●Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat heater on
to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically challenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs,cold remedies, etc.)
●Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature of the
seat and may lead to overheating.
●Do not use the seat heater more than necessary. Doing so may cause minor
burns or overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the seat heaters/ventilators
Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do not stick
sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Turn the seat heaters/ventilators off when the hybrid system is off.

5
When trouble arises
503
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HS250h_U_75050U
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to the
system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
High engine coolant temperatur e warning light (flashes or
comes on)
Indicates that the engine is overheating →P. 552
• Flashes: Engine is overheating. Drive carefully.
• Comes on: Engine is overheated. Stop the vehicle.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Brake system warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative brake system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lampIndicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The hybrid transmission control system
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
“ABS” warning lightIndicates a malfunction in:
•The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
Warning lightWarning light/Details