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2-1. Driving procedures
HS250h_U_75050U
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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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
■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
2
When driving
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
2
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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When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
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
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
*1: These lights turn on when the “POWER” switch is turned to the ON modeto indicate that a system check is being performed. They will turn off after
the hybrid system is on, or after a few seconds. There may be a malfunction
in a system if a light does not turn on, or if the lights do not turn off. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
*2:The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
*3:The light turns on when a part of the system is turned off. The light flashesquickly and “BRAKE!” appear on the multi-information display and head-
up display (if equipped) to indicate that the system is operating.
VSC OFF indicator
( → P. 2 4 0 ) Shift position indicators
(→ P. 1 6 0 )
(if equipped)
“PCS” warning
(→ P. 2 4 6 )SRS airbag on-off
indicator ( →P. 121)
*1
*1, 3*1
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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
HS250h_U_75050UPress the “ENTER” switch to
change to OFF.
The “AFS OFF” indicator will come
on.
Each pressing of the switch turns
AFS on and off.
Press the menu switch to change to
the normal display.
■Daytime running light system
●To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on auto-
matically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the hybrid system is started and the
parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at
night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the switch.
●Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system offers
greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve fuel
economy.
■Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
HS250h_U_75050U
■Cruise control can be set when
●The shift position is in D.
●Vehicle speed is above approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
■Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
●The vehicle can be accelerated normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes.
●Even without canceling the cruise control, the set speed can be increased by
first accelerating the vehicle to the desired speed and then pushing the lever
down to set the new speed.
■Automatic cruise control cancelation
Cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in any of the following situa-
tions.
●Actual vehicle speed falls more than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) below the
preset vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Actual vehicle speed is below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
●Enhanced VSC is activated.
■Canceling and resuming the constant speed control
Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the constant speed
control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes
the constant speed control.
Resuming is available when the
vehicle speed is more than
approximately 25 mph (40
km/h).