2013 Lexus GS300h Owner's Manual

2223-5. Opening, closing the windows and moon roof
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223
4Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle............ 224
Cargo and luggage ............ 235
Trailer towing (vehicles
without towing package). 236
Trailer towing (vehicles with
towing package) .............. 237
4-2. Driving procedures
Power (ignition) switch ..... 246
EV drive mode .................. 253
Hybrid transmission .......... 256
Turn signal lever ............... 264
Parking brake .................... 266
Brake Hold ........................ 269
Horn .................................. 271
4-3. Operating the lights
and wipers
Headlight switch............... 272
Automatic High Beam ...... 277
Fog light switch ................ 283
Windshield wipers
and washer ...................... 285
Headlight cleaner switch ... 292
4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap . 2934-5. Using the driving support
systems
Cruise control ................... 298
Dynamic radar cruise
control ............................. 302
Dynamic radar cruise control
with full-speed range ...... 318
LKA
(Lane-Keeping Assist) .... 335
Lexus
parking assist-sensor....... 345
Lexus
parking assist monitor..... 358
Driving mode select
switch.............................. 388
Driving assist systems ...... 393
PCS (Pre-Crash
Safety system) ................ 402
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) 414
• The Blind Spot Monitor
function......................... 420
• The Rear Crossing Traffic
Alert function ............... 423
Lexus night view .............. 426
4-6. Driving tips
Hybrid vehicle driving tips 432
Winter driving tips ............ 434

2244-1. Before driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Driving the vehicle
P. 246
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. (P.
256)
If the parking brake is in manual mode, release the parking
brake.
(P. 266)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the acceler-
ator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift
lever to P. (P. 256)
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Shift the shift lever to P. (P. 256)
If the parking brake is in manual mode, set the parking brake.
(P. 266)
Press the power switch to stop the hybrid system.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing:
Starting the hybrid system
Driving
Stopping
Parking the vehicle
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2254-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on
your person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
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2264-1. Before driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to
D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
When starting off on a uphill
The brake hold is available. (P. 269)
Driving in the rain
Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is rec-
ommended:
For the first 300 km (186 miles):
Avoid sudden stops.
For the first 800 km (500 miles):
Do not tow a trailer.
For the first 1000 km (621 miles):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
Starting off on a steep uphill
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2274-1. Before driving
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Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system. This type of
brake system needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or when-
ever the parking brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
perform the bedding down operation.
Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availabil-
ity of the correct fuel. (P. 929)
For efficient use
Shift the shift lever to D when driving.
In the N position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be gen-
erated. The hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, requiring unnec-
essary engine power to recharge.
Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and decel-
eration will make more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor)
without having to use gasoline engine power.
Avoid repeated acceleration.
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving
with the accelerator pedal slightly released.
Shift the shift lever to P when parking.
In the N position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge.
Leaving the shift lever in the N position for an extended period of time may
discharge the hybrid battery (traction battery). The vehicle cannot run if the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is discharged.

2284-1. Before driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
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 accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal
will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi-
culty 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. This allows you to depress the brake and acceler-
ator pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake
pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is
powered only by the electric motor (traction motor). Because there is no
engine noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materi-
als.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.

2294-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
When driving the vehicle
During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the
hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking
control, however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make
it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: P. 8 2 1
Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (P. 256)
Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shift changing, or changes in
engine speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the
brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.