2011 Lexus HS250h Do-it-yourself maintenance / LEXUS 2011 HS250H OWNERS MANUAL (OM75037U)

When driving2
137
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle.................. 138
Power (ignition) switch .......... 147
EV drive mode.......................... 152
Hybrid transmission ............... 155
Turn signal lever ........................ 161
Parking brake ........................... 162
Horn ............................................ 163
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 164
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 168
Multi-information display ..... 172
Head-up display ...................... 178
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch...................... 186
Automatic High Beam ............ 191
Fog light switch ........................ 197
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 198
Headlight cleaner switch.... 203 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control......................... 204
Dynamic radar cruise control .................................... 208
LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist) ........ 221
Driving assist systems ........... 229
Hill-start assist control ......... 234
Pre-Collision System ............ 236
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ............... 245
Vehicle load limits .................. 248
Winter driving tips ................. 249
Trailer towing .......................... 252
Dinghy towing ......................... 253

138
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving:
■Starting the hybrid system
 P. 1 4 7
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, select the D position.
(P. 155)
Check that the shift position indicator shows D.
Release the parking brake. ( P. 162)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the D position illuminated on the shift position indicator,
depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle will be stopped for an extended period of time, select
the P position. (
P. 1 5 5 )
■ Parking the vehicleStop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 162)
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Press the P position switch to shift into P. ( P. 1 5 6 )
Check that the shift position indicator shows P. ( P. 1 5 5 )
Press the “POWER” switch to stop the hybrid system.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the indicator on
the “POWER” switch is off.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on
your person.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Starting off on a steep uphillMake sure that the pa rking brake is set secu rely, and then select
shift position D.
Check that the shift position indicator shows D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, becaus e visibility will be reduced, the windows
may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, be cause the road surface will be especially
slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because
there may be a layer of water between th e tires and the road surface, preventing
the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
●For the first 186 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 994 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system. This type of brake sys-
tem needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or whenever the parking
brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your Lexus dealer perform the bed-
ding down operation.

140
2-1. Driving procedures
■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 8 )
■For efficient use
●Select the D position when driving.
In the N position, the gasoline engine op erates 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 ru n if the hybrid battery is discharged.
■Eco-friendly driving
■Customization
Settings for Eco Driving Indicator Light can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 5 8 0 )
During Eco-friendly acceleration (Eco driv-
ing), Eco Driving Indicator Light will turn on.
When the accelerator pedal is depressed
excessively, and when the vehicle is stopped,
the light turns off.
Eco Driving Indicator Li ght will operate when
the vehicle is being driven with the shift posi-
tion in D at a speed of about 80 mph (130
km/h) or below. The indicator will not operate
when the vehicle is in power mode or EV
drive mode. ( P. 1 5 2 ,
157)

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
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 will
result in sudden acceleration that may le ad to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your bo dy 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 whil e a forward driving position is selected,
or roll forward while R is selected.
Doing so may result in an acci dent 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
CAUTION
●Do not select shift position R when the vehicle is rolling forward, do not select D
when moving in reverse, and do not press the P position switch before the vehicle
stops fully. Doing so will cause the buzzer to sound and the shift position to
change to N. In addition, excessive forc e will be applied to the powertrain and
damage may result.
●Do not change the shift position to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause insufficient engine braking, resulting in an accident.
●Do not turn the hybrid system off while driving.
The power steering and brake actuator will not operate properly if the hybrid sys-
tem is off.
●Use engine braking (shift position B) to maintain a safe speed when driving down
a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. ( P. 1 5 5 )
●Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents, resulting
in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steer ing may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehi cle, resulting in an accident.
●Abrupt changes from shift position D to B and rapid changes in the engine speed
could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a pudd le, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on on ly one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be af fected, resulting in an accident.

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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, cigarette 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.

144
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior ofthe 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 vehicl e, resulting in death or a serious health
hazard.