2012 Lexus HS250h change time

HS250h_U_75050U
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For your information
Main Owner’s Manual
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment, includ-
ing options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for equipment not installed
on your vehicle.
All specifications provided in this manual are current at the time of printing. How-
ever, because of the Lexus policy of continual product improvement, we reserve the
right to make changes at any time without notice.
Depending on specifications, the vehicle shown in the illustrations may differ from
your vehicle in terms of color and equipment.
Noise from under vehicle after turning off the hybrid system
Approximately five hours after the hybrid system is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel evapo-
ration leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.
Accessories, spare parts and modification of your Lexus
A wide variety of non-genuine spare parts and accessories for Lexus vehicles are
currently available in the market. You should know that Toyota does not warrant
these products and is not responsible for their performance, repair, or replacement,
or for any damage they may cause to, or adverse effect they may have on, your
Lexus vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non-genuine Lexus products. Modification
with non-genuine Lexus products could affect its performance, safety or durability,
and may even violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or perfor-
mance problems resulting from the modification may not be covered under war-
ranty.

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1-1. Hybrid system
HS250h_U_75050U
■Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if the vehicle is left
parked for a long time the hybrid battery will slowly discharge. For this reason, be
sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or
10 miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and you are unable
to jump-start the vehicle with the 12-volt battery, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Charging the 12-volt battery
→P. 5 4 9
■After the 12-volt battery has discharg ed or has been changed or removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able to
move. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift position to
P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is operating
and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind the rear
seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the transaxle when the engine is started or stopped,
or while the engine is idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is
depressed and accelerator is loosened.
●Other sounds, such as motors and mechanical noises, may be heard from the
brake system when the brake pedal is depressed.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent on the side of rear left
seatback.
When driving in Eco drive mode, the fan noise may be louder than when driving
normally.

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2-1. Driving procedures
HS250h_U_75050U
■For efficient use
●Select the D position when driving.
In the N position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be gener-
ated. The hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, requiring unnecessary
engine power to recharge.
●Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and decel-
eration will make more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) with-
out having to use gasoline engine power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration.
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving with
the accelerator pedal slightly released.
●Select the P position when parking.
In the N position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge.
Leaving the N position selected for an extended period of time may discharge
the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot run if the hybrid battery is discharged.
■Eco-friendly driving
■Customization
Settings for Eco Driving Indicator Light can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 5 8 4 ) During Eco-friendly acceleration (Eco driv-
ing), Eco Driving Indicator Light will turn on.
When the accelerator pedal is depressed
excessively, and when the vehicle is stopped,
the light turns off.
Eco Driving Indicator Light will not operate in
the following conditions:
●The shift position is anything other than D.
●The driving mode is set to power mode or
EV drive mode. (
→P. 1 5 7 ,
162)
●The vehicle speed is approximately 80
mph (130 km/h) or higher.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
CAUTION
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in an accident.
■When changing the shift position
Be careful not to change the shift position with the accelerator pedal depressed.
Changing the shift position to any positions other than P or N may cause the vehicle
to accelerate abruptly, causing an accident and resulting in death or serious injury.
After changing the shift position, make sure to confirm the current shift position dis-
played on the shift position indicator inside the meter.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the vehicle is in any shift position other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the “READY” indicator is on. Apply the parking
brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the
exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is
nearby.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
■Stopping the hybrid system
Stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( →P. 1 6 7 )
Press the P position switch to shift into P. ( →P. 161)
Check that the shift position indicator on the instrument cluster
shows P. ( →P. 1 6 0 )
Press the “POWER” switch.
Slowly release the brake pedal and check that the indicator on
the “POWER” switch is off.
■ Changing “POWER” switch modes
Modes can be changed by pressing the “POWER” switch with the
brake pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is
pressed.)
Off
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can be
used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.
ON mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.

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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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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
■Instrument panel brightness adjustment
The instrument panel brightness levels when the tail lights are on and off can be
adjusted. However, when the surroundings are bright (daytime, etc.) turning on the
tail lights will not change the instrument panel brightness.
■Limitations of brightness adjustment
The brightness of the instrument panel lights is automatically adjusted based on the
light sensor detecting how bright the surroundings are. However, if the instrument
panel brightness has been manually set to the brightest setting, the automatic
adjustment will not be performed.
■Hybrid System Indicator
●By keeping the indicator needle within Eco area, Eco-friendly driving can be
achieved.
Hybrid Eco area shows that gasoline engine power is not being used very often.*
1
●Charge area indicates regeneration*2 status. Regenerated energy will be used
to charge the hybrid battery.
*
1: The gasoline engine will automatically stop and restart under various condi- tions.
*
2: When used in this manual, “regeneration” refers to the conversion of energy created by the movement of the vehicle into electrical energy.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. Sensitivity of the ambient light sensor used for dimming the meter
lights) can be changed. (Customizable features →P. 5 8 4 )
Eco area
Eco Driving Indicator Light turns on
Hybrid Eco area
Eco Driving Indicator Light turns on
Charge area
Eco Driving Indicator Light turns on
Powe r a re a
Eco Driving Indicator Light turns off

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
HS250h_U_75050U
Display order may vary depending on vehicle condition.
Electronic feature control contentsSetting electronic feature controls
AFS (if equipped)→P. 1 9 3
Intuitive parking assist
(if equipped)Refer to “Navigation System
Owner’s Manual”.
Other contentsDe ta ils
Customization ( →P. 5 8 4 )
Settings of functions such as the
door lock and light illumination time
can be changed
Dynamic radar cruise control
(if equipped) ( →P. 2 1 6 )Automatically displayed when using
the dynamic radar cruise control
LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist)
(if equipped) ( →P. 2 3 0 )Automatically displayed when using
the lane keeping assist
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
(if equipped) ( →P. 2 4 5 , 5 1 3 , 5 1 6 )Automatically displayed if there is a
possibility of collision.