2013 Lexus GS300h parking brake

2474-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures
exceeding 30C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If
the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheating, turn the air conditioning off immediately, leave the
road and stop the vehicle in a safe place. (P. 915)
When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle
and trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever
to P.
CAUTION
To avoid accident or injury
Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehi-
cle.
Do not tow a trailer when the tire installed is repaired with the emergency
tire puncture repair kit.
Do not use cruise control (if equipped) or dynamic radar cruise control (if
equipped) when trailer towing.
Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while
descending steep or long downhill grades.
Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake overheating or reduce braking effects.

2464-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the power switch.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the hybrid system is
completely started.
The hybrid system can be started
from any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is on.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic
key on your person starts the hybrid system or changes power
switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
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5

2474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (P. 269)
Press the power switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “POWER ON” on the
multi-information display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is
pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
The multi-information display will
not be displayed.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position
other than P when turning off the
hybrid system, the power switch
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing power switch modes
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2
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5

2494-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position
other than P, the power switch will not be turned off but instead be
turned to ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to
turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” are displayed
alternately on the multi-information display and then press the
power switch once.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-
information display are off.
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a
position other than P
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269
4 4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Parking brake
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light
will come on. (P. 270)
Press and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and
it is necessary to operate the park-
ing brake while driving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake
indicator light goes off.
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
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2704-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift
lever operation.
Turns automatic mode on/off
When the shift lever is moved
out of P, the parking brake will
be released.
When the shift lever is moved
into P, the parking brake will
be set.
Operate the shift lever with the
brake pedal depressed.
Parking brake operation
When the power switch is not in ON mode, the parking brake cannot be
released using the parking brake switch.
When the power switch is not in ON mode, automatic mode (automatic
brake setting and releasing) is not available.
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the
system may restrict operation to prevent overheating. If this happens,
refrain from operating the parking brake. Normal operation will return after
about 1 minute.
Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
Parking brake indicator light
Depending on the power switch mode, the parking brake indicator light will
come on and stay on as described below:
ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds.
When the power switch is turned off with the parking brake set, the parking
brake indicator light will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
Automatic mode

271
4 4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning message will turn on or flash. (P. 830, 838)
Depending on the condition, the parking brake indicator light may flash.
Usage in winter time
P. 4 3 4
NOTICE
When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, set the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P
and make sure that the vehicle does not move.
When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and check the warning messages.
When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Use the parking brake release tool to manually release the parking brake.
(P. 905)
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake compo-
nents overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase
brake wear.

2724-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Brake Hold
Turns the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the sys-
tem is holding the brake, the brake
hold operated indicator (yellow)
comes on.
Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turned on in the following conditions:
The trunk or hood is not closed.
The driver’s door is not closed.
The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
If any of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is
enabled, the system will turn off and the brake hold standby indicator light
will go off. In addition, if any of the conditions are detected while the system
is holding the brake, a warning buzzer will sound and a message will be
shown on the multi-information display. The parking brake will then be set
automatically.
Brake hold function
If the brake pedal is left released for a period of about 3 minutes after the
system has started holding the brake, the parking brake will be set automat-
ically. In this case, a warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the
multi-information display.
To turn the system off while the system is holding the brake, firmly depress
the brake pedal and press the button again.
The brake hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever
is in D, S or N with the system on and the brake pedal has been
depressed to stop the vehicle. The system releases the brake when
the accelerator pedal is depressed with the shift lever in D or S to
allow smooth start off.