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4-6. Driving tips
■Air conditioning
Use the air conditioning only when necessary. Doing so can help con-
trol excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: In high temperatures, use the recirculated air mode. Doing
so will help to reduce the burden on the air conditioner and reduce fuel
consumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasoline eng ine will not automatically cut out
until the gasoline engine and the interi or of the vehicle are warm, it will
consume fuel. Also, fuel consumption can be improved by avoiding
overuse of the heater.
■Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently. Improper tire
inflation pressure can cause poor fuel consumption.
Also, as snow tires can cause large amounts of friction, their use on dry
roads can lead to poor fuel consump tion. Use a tire that is appropriate
for the season.
■Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage can lead to poor fuel consumption. Avoid car-
rying unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack can also cause
poor fuel consumption.
■Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically when
cold, warming up the engine is unne cessary. Moreover, frequently driv-
ing short distances will cause the engine to repeatedly warm up, which
can lead to poor fuel consumption.
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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 th e condition of the 12-volt battery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four sno w 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 preparati ons and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate
to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
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4-6. Driving tips
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away the
water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan, remove
any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front of the wind-
shield.
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accumu-
lated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the tires or on
the brakes.
●Remove any snow or mud from the bo ttom of your shoes before getting
in the vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and the
vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road conditions.
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the parking
brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being
released. If necessary, block the wheels to prevent inadvertent sliding or
creeping.
Before driving the vehicle
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
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4-6. Driving tips
If heavy snow or icy condition is expected, shift the rest position manually.
Grip the hook section of the wiper arm firmly when shifting the wiper
position.
■To rest position
Raise the wiper in line with the
windshield.
You can stand the wipers up for the
rest position.
★ : More than 3.9 in. (10 cm)
■To retract position
Lower the wipers by pressing on
the upper part of the hook sec-
tion.
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the rear tires. Do not install tire chains on the front tires.
●Install tire chains on rear tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after driving
1/4 1 /2 mile (0.5 1.0 km).
●Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.
Shifting the windsh ield wiper position
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GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
3234-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or serious
injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
●Do not use LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist) system.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being used,
or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, as well as sudden braking and shift-
ing operation to engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle control is
maintained.
●Do not use LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist) system.
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4-6. Driving tips
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the operation of
the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly when
tire chains are fitted.
■When standing the windshield wipers up
Raise the wipers in line with the windshield. ( P. 3 2 2 )
Failure to do so may result in dama ge to the wipers and/or the hood.
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GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
6Maintenance and care
6-1. Maintenance and care Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .................. 616
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ..................620
6-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ... 623
General maintenance .............. 626
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ................................... 630 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-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
Page 629 of 860
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
6296-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Ve h i c l e e x t e r i o r
ItemsCheck points
Doors/trunk• Do the doors/trunk operatesmoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock systemwork properly?
Fluid leaks
• There should not be any signs of fluidleakage after the vehicle has been
parked.
Ti r e s
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged orexcessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated accord- ing to the maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
CAUTION
■If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.