2009 Lexus GS450h Owner's Manual

448
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■Exterior
Make sure that the 12 volt battery
terminals are not corroded and
that there are no loose connec-
tions, cracks, or loose clamps.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■Before recharging
When recharging, the 12 volt battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Therefore, before recharging:
●If recharging with the 12 volt battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to discon-
nect the ground cable.
●Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the 12 volt battery.
■After recharging/reconnecting the 12 volt battery
In some cases, the hybrid system may not start. Follow one or both of the following
procedures:
●After opening and closing the driver’s door, wait 10 seconds then attempt to
start the hybrid system. (If the system does not start first time, repeat the proce-
dure.)
●With the shift lever in “P” and the “POWER” switch is OFF, open and close any
door, then attempt to start the hybrid system.
If the system will not start even after multiple attempts at both methods, contact
your Lexus dealer.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 448 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

449
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■Chemicals in the 12 volt battery
A 12 volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death or seri-
ous injury, take the following precautions while working on or near 12 volt battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the 12 volt battery terminals with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match near the 12 volt battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●Wear protective safety glasses when working near the 12 volt battery.
●Keep children away from the 12 volt battery.
■Where to safely charge the 12 volt battery
Always charge the 12 volt battery in an open area. Do not charge the 12 volt battery
in a garage or closed room where there is not sufficient ventilation.
■How to recharge the 12 volt battery
Only perform a slow charge (5A or less). The 12 volt battery may explode if
charged at a quicker rate.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 449 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

450
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immediate medi-
cal attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
traveling to the nearest medical facility.
●If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or a burning sensation, seek
medical attention immediately.
●If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the clothing and
follow the procedure above if necessary.
●If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Follow with milk of magnesia, beaten raw
egg or vegetable oil. Get emergency medical attention immediately.
NOTICE
■When recharging the 12 volt battery
Never recharge the 12 volt battery while the hybrid system is on. Also, be sure all
accessories are turned off.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 450 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

451
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
Washer fluidIf any washer does not work or the
warning message appears on the
multi-information display, the
washer tank may be empty. Add
washer fluid.
CAUTION
■When refilling the washer fluid
Do not refill the washer fluid when the hybrid system is hot or operating, as the
washer fluid contains alcohol and may catch the fire if spilled on the hybrid system
etc.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.
■Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the washer fluid tank.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 451 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

452
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
Tires
Replace the tires when the treadwear indicators show.
■Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear indi-
cators is shown by the “TWI” or
“ ” marks, etc., molded on the
sidewall of each tire.
Check spare tire condition and
inflation pressure if not rotated.
■Tire rotation
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and extend
tire life, Lexus recommends that
tire rotation is carried out at the
same interval as tire inspection.
■The tire pressure warning system
Your Lexus is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. ( →P. 5 2 0 )
Front
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 452 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

453
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are installed,
new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes must be regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning computer and tire pressure warning
system must be initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter ID codes registered by your Lexus dealer. ( →P. 455)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■ The tire pressure warning system mu st be initialized in the following
circumstances:
● When changing the tire inflation pressure by changing traveling
speed or load weight, etc.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the pressure benchmark.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 453 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

454
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in safe place and turn the “POWER” switch to
OFF.
While the vehicle is moving, initialization is not performed.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. ( →P. 5 7 2 )
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate based on
this pressure level.
Turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode.
Push and hold the tire pressure
warning reset switch until the tire
pressure warning light blinks
slowly three times and the mes-
sage “PRESSURE INITIAL”
appears on the multi-information
display.
Wait for a few minutes with the ON mode, and then turn the
“POWER” switch to OFF.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 454 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

455
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
Registering and selecting ID codes
■ Registering ID codes
2 sets of tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes can be
registered. Once a second set of tires is registered at “2nd”, you can
switch between tire set settings simply by pressing the tire pressure
warning select switch.
There are 2 settings:
“MAIN” position: The ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter on the tires originally installed on the vehicle is registered.
“2nd” position: The ID code is not registered. When you replace a new
set of tires, purchase tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
from your Lexus dealer and have the new ID code registered by your
Lexus dealer.
■ Selecting ID codes
When replacing tires, make sure to select the ID code set that matches
the new tire set. If the tire pressure warning select switch is set to the
wrong tire setting, the tire pressure warning system will not operate
properly. After driving for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning
light comes on after blinking for 1 minute to indicate a system malfunc-
tion.
“MAIN”
“2nd”
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 455 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM