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 140 of 596
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.
Page 149 of 596
149
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
Odometer/trip meter and trip meter reset buttonsChanges the display
Resets the trip meter driving
range to “0”.
Instrument panel light controlThe brightness of the instrument panel lights excluding the clock and out-
side temperature display, can be adjusted. Brighter
Darker
Maximum brightness
Odometer and trip meterOdometer
Displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven since the meter was
last reset. Trip meters A and B can be used to record and display differ-
ent distances independently.
Page 159 of 596
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.
Page 160 of 596
160
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
GS_HV_U
May 19, 2008 9:00 pm
■Automatic light off system
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after all doors are closed if the
“POWER” switch has been switched to ACCESSORY mode or turned OFF while
the headlights are turned on. (The lights turn off immediately if the button on the
key is pressed after all doors are locked.)
To turn the lights on again, switch to ON mode, or turn the light switch off once and
then back to the or position.
■Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatica lly adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere with other road users.
■If the indicator flashes...
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 5 7 2 )
NOTICE
■To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is off.
Page 163 of 596
163
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
May 19, 2008 9:00 pm
■Rain drop sensor
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
■In extremely hot or cold weather
The system will turn off if the windshield gets extremely hot (at more than 176 F
[80 C]) or cold (at less than 14 F [-10C]).
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. drip prevention function) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 5 7 3 )
The sensor judges the amount of raindrops.
Page 200 of 596
200
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■ Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding wh en swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at maxi-
mum.
■ EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■Active stabilizer suspension system (if equipped)
Turns at smaller angles to main tain the stable vehicle posture.
Page 208 of 596
208
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am
■Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no danger of collision
●When there is an object by the roadside at the entrance to a curve
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a curve
●When driving over a narrow iron bridge
●When there is a metal object on the road surface
●When driving on an uneven road surface
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a left-turn
●When your vehicle rapidly closes on the vehicle in front
When the system is activated in the situations described above there is also a possi-
bility that the seat belts will retract quickly and the brakes will be applied with a force
greater than normal. When the seat belt is locked in the retracted position, stop the
vehicle in a safe place, release the seat belt and refasten.
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning messages will turn on or flash. ( P. 492, 502)
