
TABLE OF CONTENTS6
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenanceDo-it-yourself service precautions..................................631
Hood ............................................... 634
Positioning a floor jack............. 635
Engine compartment ................637
12-volt battery ..............................647
Tires....................................................651
Tire inflation pressure ................. 661
Wheels ........................................... 664
Air conditioning filter ............... 666
Electronic key battery.............. 668
Checking and replacing fuses...............................................670
Headlight aim ..............................685
Light bulbs .................................... 687
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers .................. 702
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency.... 703 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed................................ 704
If you think something is wrong ..................710
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds........ 711
If a warning message is displayed .................................. 721
If you have a flat tire ................... 749
If the hybrid system will not start ................................ 762
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ...................... 764
If the parking brake cannot be released ................................. 765
If the electronic key does not operate properly ...................... 767
If the 12-volt battery is discharged..............................770
If your vehicle overheats .......... 774
If the vehicle becomes stuck ..............................................778
7When trouble arises
GS450h_U.book Page 6 Monday, January 23, 2012 10:20 AM

19Pictorial index
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
Multi-information display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 94
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 94
Energy monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 109
When the warning messages are displayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 721
Parking brake switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 207
Applying/releasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 207
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 320
Warning buzzer/message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 721
Turn signal lever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 205
Headlight switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 21 3
Headlights/parking lights/tail lights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . .P. 213
Fog lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 218
Windshield wiper and washer switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 219
Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 219
Adding washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 646
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 739
Emergency flasher switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 702
Trunk opener. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 1 4 1
Hood lock release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 634
Tilt and telescopic steering control switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 158
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 158
Driving position memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 150
Air conditioning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 364
Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 364
Rear window defogger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 384
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 386
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 386
Hands-free system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 506
Trunk opener main switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 142
*: If equipped
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
GS450h_U.book Page 19 Monday, January 23, 2012 10:20 AM

GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
1754-1. Before driving
4
Driving
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 accelerator
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal willresult in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty 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 accelerator pedals prop-
erly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.
●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 materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
GS450h_U.book Page 175 Monday, January 23, 2012 10:20 AM

176
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
4-1. Before driving
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 sys-
tem off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer
and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop
the vehicle in the normal way: →P. 7 0 3
●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 effec-
tiveness. ( →P. 199)
●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.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
GS450h_U.book Page 176 Monday, January 23, 2012 10:20 AM

190
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (→P. 207)
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 sys-
tem, the power switch will be turned to
ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
4
5
GS450h_U.book Page 190 Monday, January 23, 2012 10:20 AM

194
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
4-2. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering
lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times
or more in succession. (→P. 7 0 3 )
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emergency.
Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking
control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more dif-
ficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so.
GS450h_U.book Page 194 Monday, January 23, 2012 10:20 AM

207
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Pa rk in g b ra ke
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will
come on. ( →P. 2 0 8 )
Press and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and it is
necessary to operate the parking
brake while driving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake indi-
cator light goes off.
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
U.S.A. Canada
1
2
GS450h_U.book Page 207 Monday, January 23, 2012 10:20 AM

296
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
PCS (Pre-Collision System)∗
◆Pre-collision seat belts (front seat only)
If the pre-collision sensor detects that a collision is unavoidable, the
pre-collision system will retract the seat belt before the collision occurs.
The same will happen if the driver makes an emergency braking or
loses control of the vehicle. (→P. 3 4 )
◆Pre-collision brake assist
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system applies
greater braking force in relation to how strongly the brake pedal is
depressed.
◆Pre-collision braking
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system warns
the driver using a warning light, warning display and buzzer. If the sys-
tem determines that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes are automati-
cally applied to reduce the collision speed.
∗
: If equipped
When the radar sensor detects that a frontal collision is highly likely or
even unavoidable, safety systems such as the brakes and seat belts are
automatically engaged to lessen impact as well as vehicle damage.
The pre-collision system can be turned on and off as necessary by oper-
ating the switch. ( →P. 2 9 7 )
GS450h_U.book Page 296 Monday, January 23, 2012 10:20 AM