2010 Lexus HS250h battery

150
2-1. Driving procedures
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 fo r 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
■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-
info
rmation 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, driv en 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
l
ong 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 lo
wer. ( 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 o
f 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.)

157
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■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 7 2 )
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” warnin g message appears on the multi-informa-
tion display. ( P. 5 0 2 )
●When the P position switch indicator flashes.
●When the shift position symb ols (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 sele cted, 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.

158
2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■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 an d 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.

164
2-2. Instrument cluster
■Limitations of brightness adjustment
The brightness of the instrument panel lights is automatically adjusted based on the
light sensor detecting how bright the surroundings are. However, if the instrument
panel brightness has been manually set to either the brightest or dimmest setting,
the automatic adjustment will not be performed.
■Hybrid System Indicator
●By keeping the indicator needle within Eco area, environmentally-friendly driv-
ing can be achieved.
Hybrid Eco area shows that gasoline engine power is not being used very often.*
1
●Charge area indicates regeneration*2 status. Regenerated energy will be used
to charge the hybrid battery.
*
1: The gasoline engine will automatically stop and restart under various condi- tions.
*
2: When used in this manual, “regeneration” refers to the conversion of energy created by the movement of the vehicle into electrical energy.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. Sensitivity of the ambient light sensor used for dimming the meter
lights) can be changed. (Customizable features P. 5 7 2 )
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the hybrid system and its components
A high engine coolant temperature warning light ( P. 492) 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 4 1 ) .
Eco area 
Eco Driving Indicator Light comes on
Hybrid Eco area 
Eco Driving Indicator Light comes on
Charge area 
Eco Driving Indicator Light comes on
Po w e r a r e a 
Eco Driving Indicator Light turns off

174
2-2. Instrument cluster
■Outside temperature display
In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be displayed, or
the display may take longer than normal to change.
●When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 15 mph [25 km/h])
●When the outside temperature has changed suddenly (at the entrance/exit of a
garage, tunnel, etc.)
■When disconnecting and reconnecting battery terminals
The following information will be reset:
●Total distance/Total average fuel consumption
●Average fuel consumption after refueling
●Cruising range
●Average vehicle speed
■Customization
Settings (e.g. available languages) can be changed. 
(Customizable features P. 5 7 2 )
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
When operating the electronic feature control while driving, take extra notice of the
vehicle’s surrounding area.
NOTICE
■The multi-information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal informa-
tion display. At extremely low temperatures, the information display monitor may
respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed.

187
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
■Automatic headlight leveling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere with other road users.
■ If the “AFS OFF” indicator flashes (if equipped)
It may indicate a malfunction in th e system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. 
(Customizable features  P. 5 7 2 )
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is off.

194
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Fog light switch
■Fog lights can be used when
The headlights are on in low beam.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is off.
The fog lights secure excellent visibility in difficult driving conditions, such
as in rain and fog.
Turns the front fog
lights off
Turns the front fog
lights on