2015 Lexus GS450h Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk / LEXUS 2015 GS450H OWNERS MANUAL (OM30E26U)

GS450h_OM_OM30E26U_(U)
2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine
will start automatically in order to warm up. In this case, you will become unable to
switch to EV drive mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the
following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound and the
EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
(  P. 112)
●Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a prior
notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
■Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distan ce ranges from a few hundred meters to
approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). Driving is possible at speeds of less than approxi-
mately 25 mph (40 km/h). However, depend ing on vehicle conditions, there are sit-
uations when EV drive mode cannot be used.
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level
and driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
Your Lexus is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline en gine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy. To prevent gasoline engine warm up in order
to reduce noises, start the hybrid system with-
out starting the gasoline engine, pressing the
power switch with fully depressing the brake
pedal and pressing the EV drive mode switch.

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4-2. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestrians,
people riding bicycl es or other people and vehicles in the surrounding area may
not be aware of the vehicle starting off or approaching them. Therefore, take extra
care while driving even if the vehicle proximity notification system is active.

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GS450h_OM_OM30E26U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Hybrid transmission
While the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever with the
brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is
completely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in D for normal driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control accelerating forces and
engine braking forces.
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral (Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (  P. 2 0 6 )

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4-2. Driving procedures
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
P. 2 8 1
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the conditions when driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, such as on snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Selecting the driving mode

GS450h_OM_OM30E26U_(U)
2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” or “+” pad-
dle shift switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is oper ated, the shift range will be down-
shifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is suitable to driv-
ing conditions. When the “+” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift
range will be one gear upper than the gear in use during normal D posi-
tion driving.
Changing the shift range allows restri ction of the highest shift range, pre-
venting unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking
force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to
D8, will be displayed in the meter.
To return to normal D position driving,
the “+” paddle shift switch must be
held down for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher shift
range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
1
2
Meter displayFunction
D2 - D8
A gear in the range between D1 and the selected shift range is automatically chosen depending on vehicle speed and driving conditions
D1Setting the shift range at D1

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GS450h_OM_OM30E26U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected by
operating the shift lever or paddle shif t switches, allowing you to drive in
the shift range of your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to
S8, will be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is
automatically set to between S2 and
S6 according to vehicle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 8 levels of accelerating force and engine brak-
ing force.
●A lower shift range will provid e greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine revo-
lutions will also increase.
●If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 7, the shift range may automati-
cally range up in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2

GS450h_OM_OM30E26U_(U)
2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to other than D
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if th e power switch is turned off after driving
in snow mode.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 5 5 6

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4-2. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehi-
cle skidding to the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged
even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever
in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge,
and this may result in the vehicle not being able to start.