
98
1-7. Theft deterrent system
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
Alarm
The system sounds the alarm and flashes lights when forcible entry is
detected.
■Triggering of the alarm
The alarm is triggered in the following situations.
●A locked door or trunk is unlocked or opened in any way other
than by using the smart access system with push-button start,
wireless remote control or mechanical key. (The doors will lock
again automatically.)
● The hood is opened while the vehicle is locked.
■ Setting the alarm system
Close the doors, trunk and
hood, and lock all doors.
The system will be set automati-
cally after 30 seconds.
The indicator light changes from
being on to flashing when the
system is set.
■Deactivating or stopping the alarm
Do one of the following to deactivate or stop the alarm.
●Unlock the doors or trunk.
● Turn the “POWER” switch to the ACCESSORY or ON mode.
(The alarm will be deactivated or stopped after a few seconds.)
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 98 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

99
1-7. Theft deterrent system
1
Before driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■Items to check before locking the vehicle
To prevent unintended triggering of the alarm and vehicle theft, make sure of the
following:
●Nobody is in the vehicle.
●The windows and moon roof are closed before the alarm is set.
●No valuables or other personal items are left in the vehicle.
■Triggering of the alarm
The alarm may be triggered in the following situations.
(Stopping the alarm deactivates the alarm system.)
●A person inside the vehicle opens a door, the trunk or hood.
●The 12 volt battery is recharged or replaced when the vehicle is locked.
■When the 12 volt battery is disconnected
Be sure to cancel the alarm system.
If the 12 volt battery is disconnected before canceling the alarm, the system may be
triggered when the battery is reconnected.
■Pa n i c m o d eWhen is pushed for longer than about
one second, the headlights/tail lights/emer-
gency flashers will flash, the front and rear
interior lights will come on, and an alarm will
sound for about 60 seconds to deter any
person from trying to break into or damage
your vehicle.
To stop the alarm, push any button on the
wireless remote control.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 99 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

124
1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■Child restraint precautions
●Do not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the
door or the area of the seat, front pillar or roof side rail from which the side air-
bags or curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in the child
restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbags and curtain shield airbags
inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
●Make sure you have complied with all installation instructions provided by the
child restraint manufacturer and that the system is properly secured. If it is not
secured properly, it may cause death or serious injury to the child in the event of a
sudden stop, sudden swerve or an accident.
■Child restraint lock function belt precaution
Do not allow children to play with the child restraint lock function belt. If the belt
becomes twisted around a child’s neck, it will not be possible to pull the belt out
leading to choking or other serious injuries that could result in death.
If this occurs and the buckle cannot be unfastened, scissors should be used to cut
the belt.
■When the child restraint system is not in use
●Keep the child restraint system properly secured on the seat even if it is not in use.
Do not store the restraint unsecured in the passenger compartment.
●If it is necessary to detach the child restraint system, remove it from the vehicle or
store it securely in the trunk. This will prevent it from injuring passengers in the
event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or accident.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 124 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

141
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid system
operating. 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 willresult 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 can be extremely hot. This may cause a
fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while th e 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 heal th hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Do not under any circumstances shift the sh ift 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.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 141 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

193
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■When the radar sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles are in
front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles, the prox-
imity alarm ( →P. 528) will not be activated, and a serious or fatal accident may
result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
■Conditions under which the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control may not function
correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the following conditions as the radar sensor may
not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and a serious or fatal accident may
result.
●When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the function-
ing of the sensor
●When your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the trunk, etc.)
●When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
●When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
●When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 193 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

212
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■Smear effect
CAUTION
■When using the rear view monitor system
Observe the following precautions to avoid an accident that could result in death or
serious injuries.
●Never depend solely on the monitor system when reversing.
●Always check visually and with the mirrors to confirm your intended path is clear.
●Depicted distances between objects and flat surfaces differ from actual dis-
tances.
●Do not use the system if the trunk is open.
■Conditions which may affect the rear view monitor system
●If the back of the vehicle is hit, the camera’s position and mounting angle may
change. Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Rapid temperature changes, such as when hot water is poured on the vehicle in
cold weather, may cause the system to function abnormally.
●If the camera lens is dirty, it cannot transmit a clear image. Rinse with water and
wipe with a soft cloth. If extremely dirty, wash with a mild cleanser and rinse.
●The displayed image may be darker and moving images may be slightly distorted
when the system is cold.
If a bright light (for example, sunlight
reflected off the vehicle body) is picked up by
the camera, a smear effect* peculiar to the
camera may occur.
*: Smear effect—A phenomenon that occurswhen a bright light (for example, sunlight
reflected off the vehicle body) is picked up
by the camera; when transmitted by the
camera, the light source appears to have a
vertical streak above and below it.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 212 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

227
2
When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
2-5. Driving information
Cargo and luggage
Capacity and distributionCargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions, cargo
capacity and load.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible. Be sure all
items are secured in place.
● Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
● For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 227 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

230
2-5. Driving information
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the trunk
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk.
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations as the item may
get under the brake or accelerator pedal and prevent the pedals from being
depressed properly, block the driver’s vision, or hit the driver or passengers,
causing an accident.
• Driver’s feet
• Front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• Package tray
• Instrument panel
•Dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and injure some-
one during sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
■Weight of the load
●Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control result-
ing in an accident which may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less than the total
load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. Improper loading may cause dete-
rioration of steering or braking control which may cause death or serious injury.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 230 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM