2014 Lexus GS450h Owner's Manual

721-2. Hybrid system
GS450h_OM_OM30D52U_(U)
Hybrid system features
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (traction motor)
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from
conventional vehicles. Be sure you ar e closely familiar with the charac-
teristics of your vehicle, and operate with care.
The hybrid system combines the use of a gasoline engine and an elec-
tric motor (traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving
fuel efficiency and redu cing exhaust emissions.
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731-2. Hybrid system
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For safety and security
◆When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped. During start off,
the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehicle. At slow speeds or
when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine is stopped and the elec-
tric motor (traction motor) is used.
◆During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor (traction
motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) as necessary.
◆When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is added to that of the gasoline engine
via the electric motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The electric motor (traction motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction
battery).
When driving with the gasoline engine stopped, a sound, which changes
in accordance with the driving speed, will be played in order to warn peo-
ple nearby of the vehicle’s approach. The sound will stop when the vehicle
speed exceeds approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).
Vehicle proximity notification system
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741-2. Hybrid system
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■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and decel-
eration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift position in D or S.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift position in D or S.
■EV indicator
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop auto-
matically in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
●When the heater is switched on
■Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
●As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if the vehicle is left
parked for a long time the hybrid battery will slowly discharge. For this reason, be
sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or
10 miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and you are unable
to jump-start the vehicle with the 12-volt battery, contact your Lexus dealer.
●If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged.
Always put the shift lever in P when the vehicle is stopped. When driving in heavy
traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift lever in D or S to avoid discharging the bat-
tery.
■Charging the 12-volt battery
→P. 7 9 7
The EV indicator comes on when the vehicle
is driven using only the electric motor (trac-
tion motor) or the gasoline engine is stopped.
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751-2. Hybrid system
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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. 8 3 3 )
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761-2. Hybrid system
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Hybrid system precautions
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it contains a high voltage
system (about 650 V at maximum) as well as parts that become
extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the caution
labels attached to the vehicle.
Caution label
Power control unit
Electric motor (traction motor)
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) Service plug
High voltage cables (orange)
Air conditioning compressor1
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3
4
5
6
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771-2. Hybrid system
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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. 74 7 )
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vents
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message
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781-2. Hybrid system
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■If a warning light comes on, a warning message is displayed, or the 12-volt battery is
disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In that case, try to start the system again. If the
“READY” indicator does not come on, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be started, refuel
the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel level warning light
( → P. 740) go off. If there is only a small amount of fuel, the hybrid system may not be
able to start. (The minimum amount of fuel to add to make the low fuel level warning
light go out is about 2.6 gal. [10.0 L, 2.2 Imp.gal.], when the vehicle is on a level sur-
face. This value may vary when the vehicle is on a slope.)
■Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on the hybrid vehicles incorporate electromagnetic
shielding, and therefore emit approximately the same amount of electromagnetic
waves as conventional gasoline powered vehicles or home electronic appliances.
●Your vehicle may cause sound interference in some third party-produced radio
parts.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life. The lifespan of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) can change in accordance with driving style and
driving conditions.
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791-2. Hybrid system
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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 3 0 )
●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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