2008 Lexus GS450h Using the audio system / LEXUS 2008 GS450H OWNER'S MANUAL (OM30A96U)

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1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
GS_HV_U
July 3, 2008 12:32 pm
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able to
move. Always put the shift lever in “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 fr om the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid ba ttery (traction battery) behind the rear
seat 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 transmissi on when the hybrid system starts or
stops.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard from the regenerative brake when you press the brake
pedal.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●You may hear cooling fan sounds coming from the air intake vents behind the
rear seat.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding main tenance, repair, recycling and disposal.
Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.

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1-1. Hybrid system
GS_HV_U
July 3, 2008 12:32 pm
High voltage componentsTake care when handling the hybrid sy stem, as it contains a high voltage
system (about 650V at maximum) as well as parts that become
extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the caution
labels attached to the vehicle. Power control unit
Air conditioning compressor
Hybrid battery (Traction bat-
tery)
DC/DC converter
Service plug
Electric motor (Traction motor)
High voltage cables (orange
color)
Caution label

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1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
GS_HV_U
July 3, 2008 12:32 pm
■Hybrid battery air vent
Hybrid battery air vent
There is an air intake vent on the
package tray for the purpose of
cooling the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery). If the vent becomes
blocked, the hybrid battery may
overheat, leading to a reduction in
hybrid battery output.
Emergency shut off system
The emergency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current and
stops the fuel pump to minimize the risk of el ectrocution and fuel leakage
when a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor. If the
emergency shut off system activates, yo ur vehicle will not restart. To
restart the hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
Energy monitor/consumption screen
You can view the status of your h ybrid system on the multi-information
display ( P. 155) and the touch screen ( P. 224). The following images
are examples only, and may vary slightly from actual conditions.
■ Energy monitor
●How to display on the touch screen:
Press .
Touch on the “Information” screen.
If the “Consumption” screen is displayed, touch .
●How to display on the multi-information display:
Push the “DISP” switch on the steering wheel several times to
select the energy monitor display.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1

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1-1. Hybrid system
GS_HV_U
July 3, 2008 12:32 pm
To u c h s c r e e nMulti-information display
When the vehicle is
powered by the elec-
tric motor (traction
motor)
When the vehicle is
powered by the 
gasoline engine
When the vehicle is
powered by both the
gasoline engine and the
electric motor (traction
motor)
When the vehicle is
charging the hybrid 
battery (traction 
battery)
When there is no
energy flow
Hybrid battery 
(traction battery) statusLowFullLowFull

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
GS_HV_U
July 3, 2008 12:32 pm
■Consumption
Press .
Touch on the “Information” screen.
If the “Energy Monitor” screen is displayed, touch .
Fuel consumption in the past 30
minutes
Regenerated energy in the past
30 minutes
One symbol indicates 50 Wh. Up
to 4 symbols are shown.
Best past fuel consumption
Average fuel consumption
Cruising range
Hybrid warning message
A message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs in the
hybrid system or an impr oper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on
the multi-information display and
the touch screen, read the mes-
sage and follow the instructions.
(P. 500)
STEP1
STEP2
■Resetting the consumption data
Touching will reset the “Average fuel consumption”. Touching
will reset all the data (except the “Cruis ing Range”) on the “Consumption” screen.

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1-1. Hybrid system
GS_HV_U
July 3, 2008 12:32 pm
■If a warning light comes on or a warning message is displayed, or the 12 volt bat-
tery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In that ca se, try to start the system again. If the
“READY” light does not come on, contact your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■High voltage precautions
The vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12 volt system. DC
and AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe burns and electric
shock that may result in death or serious injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or re place the high voltage parts, cables and
their connectors.
●The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high voltage.
Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and always obey
the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug acce ss hole located in the luggage compart-
ment. The service plug is used only when the vehicle is serviced and is subject to
high voltage.
■Nickel-metal hydride battery
Your vehicle contains a sealed nickel-metal hydride battery. If disposed of improp-
erly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe burns and elec-
trical shock that may result in death or serious injury.

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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
GS_HV_U
July 3, 2008 12:32 pm
CAUTION
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.
●Pull your vehicle off the road, put the shift lever in “P”, apply the parking brake,
turn the hybrid system off.
●Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
●If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric shock may
occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch it as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte from
the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with your skin or
eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or if possible, boric
acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, le ave the vehicle as soon as possible. Never
use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even a small
amount of water may be dangerous.
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the rear wheels raised. If the wheels
with the electric motor (t raction motor) are on the ground when towing, the
motor may continue to generate electricit y. This may cause an electricity leakage
leading to a fire. (
P. 4 8 2 )
●Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has leaked
onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave the vehicle as
soon as possible.

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1-1. Hybrid system
GS_HV_U
July 3, 2008 12:32 pm
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery air vent
●Do not put foreign objects over the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction battery)
may overheat and be damaged.
●Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery) from
overheating.
●Do not wet the air vent. It may cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery).
●Do not load a large amount of water such as an aquarium into the vehicle. If water
spills over the hybrid battery (tractio n battery), the battery may be damaged.