Page 12 of 596
12
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
Pictorial indexInstrument panel
Headlight switch 
Turn signal lever 
Fog light switch P. 158
P. 146
P. 161
Gauges and meters P. 148
Multi-information display P. 155Windshield wipers and 
washer switch 
P. 162
“POWER” switch P. 138
Parking brake pedal P. 147
Trunk opener main switch 
P. 55
Glove box 
P. 356
Hood lock release lever P. 417
Trunk opener P. 55
Fuel filler door opener P. 83 
         
        
        
     
        
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When driving2
127
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:33 pm
2-1. Driving procedures ........ 128Driving the vehicle.................. 128
Power (ignition) switch .......... 138
Transmission..............................  142
Turn signal lever .......................  146
Parking brake ...........................  147
2-2. Instrument cluster .........  148 Gauges and meters ................ 148
Indicators and warning  
lights .........................................  152
Multi-information display .....  155 2-3. Operating the lights and 
windshield wipers ........ 158
Headlight switch .....................  158
Fog light switch ..........................  161
Windshield wipers and  
washer ...................................... 162
Headlight cleaner switch .....  165
2-4. Using other driving  
systems ..........................  166
Cruise control..........................  166
Dynamic radar cruise  
control ...................................... 169
Intuitive parking assist ...........  180
Rear view monitor  
system......................................  195
AVS (Adaptive Variable  
Suspension System) ............  199
Driving assist systems ........... 200
PCS (Pre-Collision  
System) ..................................  206
2-5. Driving information........  210 Cargo and luggage ................  210
Vehicle load limits ...................  214
Winter driving tips ..................  215
Trailer towing ..........................  220
Dinghy towing..........................  221 
         
        
        
     
        
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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
May 13, 2008 3:11 pm
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid system 
running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator 
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal. 
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead  to an accident that could result in 
death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body  around, leading to a difficulty in 
operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle  only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals prop-
erly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal  using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.  
The exhaust system and exhaust gases ca n be extremely hot. This may cause a 
fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving position, or 
roll forward while the shift lever is in “R”. 
Doing so may cause the hybrid system not to operate or lead to poor brake and 
steering performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and check 
that the trunk is closed.  
Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and an acci-
dent, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by 
your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to “P”, “R” or “N” while the 
vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can cause significant damage to  the transmission and may result in a 
loss of vehicle control. 
         
        
        
     
        
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133
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
May 13, 2008 3:11 pm
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce 
your ability to control the vehi cle, resulting in an accident.
●Sudden changes in engine speed, such as  engine braking caused by up-shifting 
or down-shifting, may cause the vehicl e to skid, resulting in an accident. 
●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 on ly one side are wet and not functioning 
properly, steering control may be af fected, resulting in an accident.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. 
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an 
accident and result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the hybrid system. 
If the vehicle is in any positions other than “P” or “N” the vehicle may accelerate 
suddenly and unexpectedly,  and may cause 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 no t enter the vehicle interior.
●Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the hybrid system is operating to 
prevent an accident caused by the vehicle moving. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 134 of 596

134
2-1. Driving procedures
GS_HV_U
May 13, 2008 3:11 pm
CAUTION
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun. 
Failure to do so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter  or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic  material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of  the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical com-
ponents.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the sh ift lever to “P”, stop the hybrid system 
and lock the vehicle. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the hybrid system is operating.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the hybrid system is operating or immedi-
ately after turning the hybrid system off.  
Doing so may cause burns.
●Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or where 
it is snowing. If snowbanks build up arou nd the vehicle while the hybrid system is 
operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to 
death or a serious health hazard.
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmfu l carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and odor-
less. 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 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 vehi-
cle inspected and repaired by your Lexus dealer. Failure to do so may allow 
exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, result ing in death or a serious health hazard. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 138 of 596
138
2-1. Driving procedures
GS_HV_U
May 13, 2008 3:11 pm
Power (ignition) switch
■Starting the hybrid system
Check that the parking brake is set. 
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”. 
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal. 
The “POWER” switch indicator turns green.
Press the “POWER” switch.
After a few seconds, the 
“READY” light will flash and 
come on with a beep sound.
The vehicle can move when the 
“READY” light is on, even if the 
engine is stopped.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4 
         
        
        
     
        
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140
2-1. Driving procedures
GS_HV_U
May 13, 2008 3:11 pm
■If the hybrid system does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 88)
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■When the “POWER” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus 
dealer immediately.
■If the “READY” light does not come on
If the “READY” light does not come on when you press the “POWER” switch with 
the shift lever in “P” and the brake pedal pressed, contact your Lexus dealer imme-
diately.
■Auto power OFF function
If the vehicle is left in the ACCESSORY mode for more than an hour with the shift 
lever in “P”, the “POWER” switch will automatically turn OFF.
■When the ambient temperature is low
Such as during winter driving conditions, it may take time until the “READY” light 
comes on.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
 P.  2 5
■When the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P.  5 0 0
The green indicator light on the “POWER” 
switch will flash and a message will be shown 
on the multi-information display. Press the 
“POWER” switch again while turning the 
steering wheel left and right. 
         
        
        
     
        
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159
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
May 19, 2008 9:00 pm
AFS (Adaptive Front lighting System) 
AFS improves visibility at intersectio ns and on curves by automatically 
adjusting the level of the headlights  according to vehicle speed and the 
degree of the tire angle that are controlled by steering input.
Operates at speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher.
■ Deactivating AFS
Press the switch to turn it off. 
The   indicator turns on when 
the AFS is deactivated. 
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on automati-
cally (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.
■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.