2012 Lexus HS250h warning

When driving2
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2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle.................. 142
Power (ignition) switch .......... 152
EV drive mode.......................... 157
Hybrid transmission ............... 160
Turn signal lever ....................... 166
Parking brake ........................... 167
Horn ............................................ 168
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 169
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 173
Multi-information display ..... 177
Head-up display ...................... 183
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch....................... 191
Automatic High Beam ........... 196
Fog light switch ...................... 202
Windshield wipers and washer ................................... 204
Headlight cleaner switch....... 211 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control.......................... 212
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 216
LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist) ....... 230
Driving assist systems ........... 238
Hill-start assist control ......... 243
Pre-Collision System ............ 245
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ............... 254
Vehicle load limits .................. 257
Winter driving tips ................. 258
Trailer towing ............................ 261
Dinghy towing......................... 262

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2-1. Driving procedures
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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.

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HS250h_U_75050U
■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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2-1. Driving procedures
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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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When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
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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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

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2-2. Instrument cluster
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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 ) .

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2-2. Instrument cluster
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When driving
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Indicators and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and center
panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s various systems.
Instrument cluster
Center panel (without a navigation system)
Center panel (with a navigation system)