34
1-1. Hybrid system
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
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 (traction battery), the battery may be damaged.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 34 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM
145
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to
hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly venti-
lated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a
serious health hazard.
■When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of
the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the brake actuator does not operate, do not follow other vehicles closely and
avoid downhill or sharp turns that require making.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the pedal than
usual. Braking distance may also increase.
●Do not pump the brake pedal if turning the hybrid system off.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
●The brake system consists of 3 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and braking distance becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.
■If the vehicle becomes stuck or bogged
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or stuck in
sand or mud, etc. This may damage the drive system components or propel the
vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 145 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM
157
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
May 1, 2009 2:20 pm
Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. (→P. 232)
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking
brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
CanadaU.S.A.
sec_02-01.fm Page 157 Friday, May 1, 2009 2:20 PM
162
2-2. Instrument cluster
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the
red zone (“H”). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. Check the
engine after it has cooled completely. (→P. 5 5 7 )
■To activate the light sensitivity function properly
Do not affix a sticker or window tint to the rear window glass, or put an object
behind the rear seat.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 162 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM
219
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating when
there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering wheel
may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input or
stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off. The system should return to normal
about 10 minutes.
■VGRS is disabled in the following situations
●During stopping or the steering wheel has been moved for a long time while
driving at lower speeds.
●After the hybrid system is restarted at less than -22°F (-30°C).
CAUTION
Any of the following conditions may result in an accident which could cause death or
serious injury:
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded.
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on a wet or slick road.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating will exceed that of normal condi-
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situations.
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven roads
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 219 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM
387
3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■Burns
●Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat heater on
to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs,cold remedies, etc.)
●Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature of the
seat and may lead to overheating.
●Do not use seat heater more than necessary.
Doing so may cause minor burns or overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the seat heaters/ventilators
Do not put heavy objects on the seat and do not stick sharp objects (needles, nails,
etc.) into the seat.
■To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Turn the switches off when the hybrid system is off.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 387 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM
558
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■Overheating
In the following situations, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of power is
experienced.
●Steam is coming from under the hood.
●The message “HYBRID SYSTEM OVERHEAT” is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the food, do not open the food until the steam
has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, causing serious injury
such as burns.
●Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and engine drive belt while the hybrid
system is operating.
●Do not loosen the radiator cap while the hybrid system and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam released
under pressure.
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if coolant is
unavailable. (→P. 569)
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Lexus dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
STEP6
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 558 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM
605
Alphabetical index
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CareExterior ................................................... 420
Interior..................................................... 423
Seat belts ................................................424
Cargo capacity ...................................... 227
Cargo hooks .......................................... 392
CD player/changer ............................. 274
Chains....................................................... 233
Child-protectors ..................................... 55
Child restraint system Definition.................................................... 121
Installation................................................ 125
Installing CRS with lower anchors ................................................. 126
Installing CRS with seatbelts ......... 128
Installing CRS with top straps ....... 133
Child safety Airbag precautions ............................. 110
Battery precautions..............449, 556
Child restraint system ......................... 121
Child-protectors................................... 55
How your child should wear
the seatbelt ............................................ 77
Installing child restraints ................... 125
Moon roof precautions ..................... 90
Power window lock switch ............. 85
Power window precautions............ 87
Removed electronic key battery
precautions ........................................473
Seat belt comfort guide......................75
Seat belt precautions.......................... 78
Seat heater precautions ................ 387
Trunk precautions .................................. 61
Cigarette lighter ................................... 384 Cleaning
Exterior....................................................420
Interior ..................................................... 423
Seat belts ................................................ 424
Clock .......................................................... 381
Coin holder ............................................. 377
Compass ................................................. 400
Condenser .............................................. 445
Console box ........................................... 374
Cooling system Engine overheating...........................557
Cruise control
Cruise control........................................179
Dynamic radar cruise control....... 183
Cup holders ............................................ 377
Curtain shield airbags.......................... 103
Customizable features ...................... 590
Daytime running light system ........... 170
Defogger Rear window ........................................256
Side mirror.............................................256
Dimension................................................ 564
Dinghy towing ........................................ 237
Display Energy flow .............................................. 29
Multi-information display ................ 166
Touch screen .......................................240
Trip information ....................................167
Warning message.............................. 519
Do-it-yourself maintenance ............. 432
Door courtesy lights ............................ 369
Door pocket............................................ 378C
D
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 605 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM