2009 Lexus GS450h suspension

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GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle ........................ 138
Power (ignition) switch ............... 148
Transmission ................................... 152
Turn signal lever ............................ 156
Parking brake ................................. 157
Horn.................................................... 158
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ..................... 159
Indicators and warning lights............................... 163
Multi-information display ........... 166
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............................ 169
Fog light switch ............................... 172
Windshield wipers and washer............................................. 173
Headlight cleaner switch ........... 178 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ................................ 179
Dynamic radar cruise control............................................. 183
Intuitive parking assist ................. 195
Rear view monitor system ......... 210
AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System) .................. 213
Driving assist systems.................. 214
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ............ 221
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ..................... 227
Vehicle load limits......................... 231
Winter driving tips ....................... 232
Trailer towing ................................. 236
Dinghy towing ............................... 237
2When driving
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1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbag has deployed, open a door or
window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
●If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel pad and
front pillar garnish, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by your Lexus
dealer.
●Do not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger’s seat. Doing so
will disperse the passenger’s weight, which prevents the sensor from detecting
the passenger’s weight properly. As a result, the SRS front passenger airbag may
not deploy in the event of a collision.
■Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications with-
out consulting your Lexus dealer. The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy
(inflate) accidentally, causing death or serious injury.
●Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags
●Repairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel, instrument
panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, side and rear pillars or roof side
rail
●Repairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the occupant
compartment
●Installation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars, kangaroo bar
etc.)
●Modifications to the vehicle’s suspension system
●Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios or CD players
●Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 114 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

When driving2
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GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle.................. 138
Power (ignition) switch .......... 148
Transmission.............................. 152
Turn signal lever ....................... 156
Parking brake ........................... 157
Horn ............................................ 158
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 159
Indicators and warning lights ........................ 163
Multi-information display ..... 166 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch ...................... 169
Fog light switch ......................... 172
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 173
Headlight cleaner switch ..... 178
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control........................... 179
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 183
Intuitive parking assist ........... 195
Rear view monitor system .... 210
AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System) ............ 213
Driving assist systems ............ 214
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ...... 221
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ............... 227
Vehicle load limits ................... 231
Winter driving tips ................. 232
Trailer towing .......................... 236
Dinghy towing......................... 237
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 137 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
NOTICE
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( →P. 5 3 9 )
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
differentials, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System)
AVS controls the suspension according to the road and driving conditions.
Selecting an optimum driving mode allows good vehicle posture and steer-
ing wheel operation in conjunction with VGRS, EPS and active stabilizer
suspension system (if equipped).
Sports mode
For winding mountain road driv-
ing or high speed driving.
Normal mode
For normal driving.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 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.
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain 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 suspensi on system (if equipped)
Reduces sway when cornering according to steering wheel movement
and the selected suspension damping mode, in order to maintain a stable
vehicle posture.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■The hill-start assist control may not operate effectively when
●On steep inclines.
●On icy surfaces.
■When the Enhanced VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes and a warning buzzer sounds. Always drive carefully.
Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indica-
tor light flashes and a buzzer sounds.
■When TRAC and Enhanced VSC are off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As
these are systems to ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn off TRAC
and Enhanced VSC unless necessary.
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the specified tire pres-
sure level.
The ABS and Enhanced VSC will not function correctly if different tires are fitted on
the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect the driv-
ing assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■Luggage compartment (vehicles with active stabilizer suspension
system)
Remove the lid.
After a system failure, see “Fuse layout and amperage ratings”
(→ P. 478) for details about which fuse to check.
Remove the fuse with the pull-
out tool.
Check if the fuse has blown.
Ty p e A
Normal fuse
Blown fuse
Replace it with one of an appro-
priate amperage rating. The
amperage rating can be found
on the fuse box lid.
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 476 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM