2012 Lexus HS250h Owner's Manual

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2-1. Driving procedures
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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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■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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2-1. Driving procedures
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■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.

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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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■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.

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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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Turn signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The “POWER” switch is in ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
The turn signal lever can be used to show the following intention of the
driver: Right turn
Left turn
Lane change to the right
(push and hold the lever part-
way)
The right hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.
Lane change to the left (push
and hold the lever partway)
The left hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.

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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.)
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