2012 Lexus HS250h Owner's Manual

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5-1. Essential information
HS250h_U_75050U●
If emergency towing cannot be performed
The vehicle cannot be towed by another vehicle in the following situa-
tions because the front wheels may be locked by the parking lock.
Transport the vehicle with both front wheels or all 4 wheels lifted using
a flatbed or wheel-lift type truck.
• There is a malfunction in the smart access system with push-button
start.
• The P position control system is malfunctioning. ( →P. 513)
• The 12-volt battery is discharged.
Installing towing eyelets
Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body, as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.

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When trouble arises
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5-1. Essential information
HS250h_U_75050UTighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
Towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truckFrom the front Release the parking brake.

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5-1. Essential information
HS250h_U_75050UFrom the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Using a flatbed truck
If your Lexus is transported by a
flatbed truck, it should be tied
down at the locations shown in the
illustration.
If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45°.
Do not overly tighten the tie downs
or the vehicle may be damaged.

5
When trouble arises
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■Before emergency towingTurn the “POWER” switch to ON mode. ( →P. 1 5 3 )
Do not turn the “POWER” switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Release the parking brake.
Change the shift position to N.
When the “POWER” switch is in ACCESSORY mode, the shift position
cannot be changed to N.
■Emergency towing eyelet location
→ P. 5 3 2
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains. Always be cau-
tious of the surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
●Do not turn off the power switch.
This may lead to accidents as the parking lock will be engaged.
●If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that the towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, the towing eyelets may come loose during towing. This may
lead to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.

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HS250h_U_75050U
NOTICE
■To prevent damage the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the
opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the vehicle could
be damaged while being towed.
■To prevent body damage when towing using a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission when emergency towing
Never tow a vehicle from the rear with four wheels on the ground. This may cause
serious damage to the transmission.

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If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■Visible symptoms
● Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High engine coolant temperature warning light flashes or comes
on
■ Audible symptoms
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
■ Operational symptoms
● Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road.
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor

502
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake system.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
*: Brake system warning buzzer
When there is a possible problem that could affect braking performance, the
warning light will come on and a warning buzzer will sound.
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
→ P. 5 1 6
Stop the vehicl e immediately.
The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehicle
that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Lexus dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Brake system warning li ght and warning buzzer*
•Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully
released the system is operating normally.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on
or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then goes off, this does not nec-
essarily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to
occur, have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HS250h_U_75050U
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to the
system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
High engine coolant temperatur e warning light (flashes or
comes on)
Indicates that the engine is overheating →P. 552
• Flashes: Engine is overheating. Drive carefully.
• Comes on: Engine is overheated. Stop the vehicle.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Brake system warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative brake system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lampIndicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The hybrid transmission control system
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
“ABS” warning lightIndicates a malfunction in:
•The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
Warning lightWarning light/Details