
731-2. Hybrid system
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
1
For safety and security
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or has been changed or removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able to move.
For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift position to P when
parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is operating
and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind the rear
seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid transmission when the hybrid system starts
or stops.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is
depressed.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vents on the both sides of the
rear seatback.
■Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity notification system may be difficult for
surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification system is installed on the front of the vehi-
cle, it may be more difficult to hear from the rear of the vehicle compared to the
front.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and disposal.
Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the EV indicator) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 807)
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751-2. Hybrid system
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
1
For safety and security
There are air intake vents on the
both sides of the rear seatback for
the purpose of cooling the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If the
vents become blocked, the hybrid
battery may overheat, leading to a
reduction in hybrid battery output.
When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the emer-
gency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current and stops the fuel
pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If the emer-
gency shut off system activates, your vehicle will not restart. To restart the
hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
A message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs in the
hybrid system or an improper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on
the multi-information display, read
the message and follow the instruc-
tions.
( →P. 7 2 1 )
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message
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771-2. Hybrid system
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
1
For safety and security
CAUTION
■High voltage precautions
The vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12-volt system. DC
and AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe burns and electric
shock that may result in death or serious injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts, cables or
their connectors.
●The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high voltage.
Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and always obey
the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious injury:
●Pull your vehicle off the road, apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, and
turn the hybrid system off.
●Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
●If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric shock may
occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch the fluid as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte
from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with your skin or
eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or, if possible, boric
acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible. Never
use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even a small
amount of water may be dangerous.
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with rear wheels raised. If the wheels
connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground when towing,
the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may cause an electricity
leakage leading to a fire. (→P. 7 0 4 )
●Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has leaked
onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave the vehicle as
soon as possible.
●Never try to open the service plug access
hole located behind the rear seats. The ser-
vice plug is used only when the vehicle is
serviced and is subject to high voltage.
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128
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
■Conditions affecting operation
The smart access system with push-button start uses weak radio waves. In the follow-
ing situations, the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be
affected, preventing the smart access system with push-button start, wireless remote
control and immobilizer system from operating properly. (Ways of coping: →P. 76 7 )
●When the electronic key battery is depleted
●Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large display, air-
port or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical noise
●When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless
communication device
●When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following metallic
objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
•Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
●When other wireless keys (that emit radio waves) are being used nearby
●When carrying the electronic key together with the following devices that emit
radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
●If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to the rear
window
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319
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)4-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
Winter driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside temperatures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
•Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt battery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the specified size and brand, and that chains match the
size of the tires.
Carry out the necessary preparatio ns and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate
to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
GS450h_U.book Page 319 Monday, January 23, 2012 10:20 AM

GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
3835-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Button lock function
■Rear control panel illumination off function To prevent inadvertent operation, the buttons
on the rear armrest can be locked. Press until you hear a beep to lock the but-
tons. Pressing again until you hear a
beep will release the lock.
The indicator appears on the display when the
buttons are locked.
Control panel illumination on the rear armrest
can be turned off. Press until you hear a
beep to turn the illumination off. Pressing again until you hear a beep will turn the
illumination on.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the hybrid
system is off.
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384
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
5-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers
On/off
The defoggers will automatically turn
off after 15 to 60 minutes. The opera-
tion time changes according to the
ambient temperature and vehicle
speed.
■Operating conditions
The power switch must be in the ON mode.
These features are used to defog the rear window, and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the outside rear view mirrors.
CAUTION
■When the outside rear view mirror defoggers are on
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces, as they can become very hot and burn
you.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Turn the defoggers off when the hybrid system is off.
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422
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
5-3. Using the audio system
■If you select
The display returns to the previous screen.
■When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
All preset stations are erased.
■Reception sensitivity
●Cargo loaded on the roof luggage carrier, especially metal objects, may adversely
affect the reception of XM® Satellite Radio.
●Maintaining perfect radio reception at all times is difficult due to the continually
changing position of the antenna, differences in signal strength and surrounding
objects, such as trains, transmitters, etc.
●The radio antenna is mounted inside the rear window. To maintain clear radio
reception, do not attach metallic window tinting or other metallic objects to the
antenna wire mounted inside the rear window.
■HD Radio™ Technology troubleshooting guide
ExperienceCauseAction
Mismatch of time align-
ment- a user may hear a
short period of program-
ming replayed or an
echo, stutter or skip.The radio stations analog
and digital volume are not
properly aligned or the
station is in ballgame
mode.
None, radio broadcast
issue. A user can contact
the radio station.
Sound fades, blending in
and out.Radio is shifting between
analog and digital audio.
Reception issue, may
clear-up as the vehicle
continues to be driven.
Selecting “Analog” can
force radio in an analog
audio.
Audio mute condition
when an HD2 /HD3 mul-
ticast channel had been
playing.The radio does not have
access to digital signals at
the moment.
This is normal behavior,
wait until the digital signal
returns. If out of the cov-
erage area, seek a new
station.
Audio mute delay when
selecting an HD2 /HD3
multicast channel preset.
The digital multicast con-
tent is not available until
HD Radio™ broadcast
can be decoded and
make the audio available.
This takes up to 7 sec-
onds.
This is normal behavior,
wait for the audio to
become available.
GS450h_U.book Page 422 Monday, January 23, 2012 10:20 AM