Page 172 of 860

172
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle
P. 1 8 9
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. ( P. 199)
If the parking brake is in manual mode, release the parking brake.
( P. 207)
Gradually release the brake pedal an d gently depress the accelerator
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 exte nded period of time, shift the shift lever to
P. ( P. 1 9 9 )
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If the parking brake is in manual mode, set the parking brake.
( P. 207)
Shift the shift lever to P. ( P. 1 9 9 )
Press the power switch to stop the hybrid system.
Lock the door, making sure that y ou have the electronic key on your
person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving:
Starting the hybrid system
Driving
Stopping
Pa r k i n g t h e ve h i c l e
1
2
3
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
Page 176 of 860

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. 1 9 9 )
●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.
Page 181 of 860

GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
1814-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving,
as this may restrain driving torque.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at
the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage th e power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 74 9 )
Page 187 of 860
187
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Trailer towing
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus
also does not recommend the installa tion of a tow hitch or the use of a
tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is
not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted car-
riers.
Page 188 of 860
188
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
4-1. Before driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.
Page 192 of 860

192
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
4-2. Driving procedures
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON mode
(the hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the
power switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely pre-
vent 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the power switch in
ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of time when the hybrid system is not
operating.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 7 3
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 1 3 2
■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving conditions
It may take time until the “READY” indicator comes on.
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 1 2 8
■Notes for the entry function
P. 1 2 9
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 7 9 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The hybrid system may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P position when Starting” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
■Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering
wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the power switch
again automatically cancels the steering lock.
Page 193 of 860

GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
1934-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended if
the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this
case, refrain from operating the hybrid sy stem. After about 10 seconds, the steering
lock motor will resume functioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” will be displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the power switch with
the shift lever in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact your Lexus dealer imme-
diately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 7 2 2
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 6 6 8
■Operation of the power switch
●When operating the power switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch is
pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the power switch mode may
not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid sy stem immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not star t in some cases. After turning the power
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid system.
■If the smart access system with push-but ton start has been deactivated in a cus-
tomized setting
P. 76 7
“Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
power switch while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
Page 249 of 860

GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
2494-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
CAUTION
■When the sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles are in
front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correc tly detect these types of vehicles, the
approach warning ( P. 242) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious accident
may result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
■Conditions under which the vehicle-to-veh icle distance control may not function
correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the following conditions as the radar sensor may
not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and a fatal or serious accident may
result:
●When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the function-
ing of the sensor
●When your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the trunk etc.)
●When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
●When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
●When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly