2012 Lexus HS250h power steering

84
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
HS250h_U_75050U
Auto tilt away (power adjustable type only)
When the “POWER” switch is
turned off, the steering wheel
returns to its stowed position by
moving up and away to enable
easier driver entry and exit.
Turning the “POWER” switch to
ACCESSORY or ON mode will
return the steering wheel to the
original position.
■The steering wheel can be adjusted when (power adjustable type only)
The “POWER” switch is in ACCESSORY or ON mode*.
*: Vehicles with driving position memory: If the driver’s seat belt is fastened, thesteering wheel can be adjusted regardless of “POWER” switch mode.
■Automatic adjustment of the steering position (vehicles with driving position
memory)
A desired steering position can be entered to memory and recalled automatically
by the driving position memory system. ( →P. 7 2 )
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and cause an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
■After adjusting the steering wheel (manually adjustable type only)
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked.
Otherwise, the steering wheel may move suddenly, possibly causing an accident,
and resulting in death or serious injury.

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1
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
HS250h_U_75050U
Inside rear view mirror
Adjusting the height of rear view mirrorAdjust the height of the rear view
mirror by moving it up and down.
In automatic mode, sensors are used to detect the headlights of vehicles
behind and the reflected light is automatically reduced.
Type A Turns automatic mode on
Turns automatic mode off
The indicator comes on when
automatic mode is turned on.
The mirror will revert to auto-
matic mode each time the
“POWER” switch is turned to
ON mode.
Type BTurns automatic mode on/off
The indicator comes on when
automatic mode is turned on.
The mirror will revert to auto-
matic mode each time the
“POWER” switch is turned to
ON mode.
Indicator
Indicator

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1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
HS250h_U_75050U
■Mirror angle can be adjusted when
The “POWER” switch is in ACCESSORY or ON mode.
■Linked mirror function when reversing (vehicles with driving position memory)
The outside rear view mirrors will automatically angle downwards when the vehicle
is reversing in order to give a better view of the ground. However, this function will
not operate when the mirror select switch is in the neutral position (between “L” and
“R”).
■Rain clearing mirrors (if equipped)
When water droplets collects on the mirror surface, for example when it rains, the
rain clearing (hydrophilic) effect of the mirrors causes the droplets to be spread out
into a film making the rear view clearer. In the following cases, the rain clearing
effect will be reduced temporarily, but will return after 1 or 2 days’ exposure to
direct sunlight.
●After wiping dirt off the mirrors
●When the mirrors fog up
●After waxing your vehicle in an automatic car wash
●After your vehicle has been parked for a long period in underground parking
lots etc. where there is no direct sunlight
■When the mirrors are fogged up
Turn on the mirror defoggers to defog the mirrors. ( →P. 2 74 )
■Automatic adjustment of the mirror angl e (vehicles with driving position mem-
ory)
A desired mirror face angle can be entered to memory and recalled automatically
by the driving position memory. ( →P. 7 2 )
■Auto anti-glare fu nction (if equipped)
When the anti-glare inside rear view mirror is set to automatic mode, the outside
rear view mirrors will activate in conjunction with the anti-glare inside rear view mir-
ror to reduce reflected light. ( →P. 8 5 )

146
2-1. Driving procedures
HS250h_U_75050U
CAUTION
●Do not shift the shift position to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Moving the shift position to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
hybrid system. Engine braking is not available with the hybrid system disengaged.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid sys-
tem 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 difficult to steer
and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop
the vehicle in the normal way: →P. 5 5 8
●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. 160)
●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 steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehicle, 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.

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2-1. Driving procedures
HS250h_U_75050U
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving,
as this may restrain driving torque.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at
the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Be sure to firmly apply the parking brake and set the shift position to P. Failure to do
so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the
accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire. ( →P. 5 3 2 )

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2-1. Driving procedures
HS250h_U_75050U
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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2-4. Using other driving systems
HS250h_U_75050U
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 4 5

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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.