2015 Lexus GS450h engine

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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

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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.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems
■When the message is displayed on the multi-information display showing that
TRAC has been disabled even if the VSC OFF switch has not been pressed
TRAC cannot be operated. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■VGRS is disabled when
VGRS may stop operating in the following situations.
In this event, the steering wheel may move from its straight forward position, but it
will return when the system restarts.
●The steering wheel is operated for an extended period of time while the vehicle is
stopped or is moving very slowly.
●When force is continuously applied for a long time with the steering wheel turned
as far as it will go.
The center position of the steering wheel may change when VGRS is disabled. How-
ever, the position will return to normal after VGRS is reactivated.
■When the battery is disconnected
The steering wheel may move from its straight forward position, but this will be cor-
rected automatically when driving.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and VGRS sys-
tems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, when the hybrid syst em is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred in
any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating.
None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■EPS, VGRS and DRS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Reactivation of the TRAC/VSC systems
Even after the TRAC/VSC systems have been turned off, turning the hybrid system
off and then on again will automatically reactivate the TRAC/VSC systems.
■Reactivation of the TRAC sy stem linked to vehicle speed
When only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when vehi-
cle speed increases. However, when both TRAC/VSC systems are turned off, the
systems will not turn on even when vehicle speed increases.

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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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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.
*: Tire chains cannot be mounted on vehicles with front and rear tires of differing
sizes and vehicles with LDH and 19-inch 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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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 (vehicles with front and rear tires of the same size except
for the vehicles with LDH and 19 inch tires)
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, sudden braking and shifting opera-
tions that cause sudden 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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3535-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
In the Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to priori-
tize fuel efficiency:
●Engine speed and compressor operation co ntrolled to restrict heating/cooling
capacity
●Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
To improve air conditioning performanc e, perform the following operations:
●Adjust the fan speed
●Turn off Eco drive mode
■When the outside temperature falls to nearly 32 F (0C)
The dehumidification function may not operate even when “A/C” on the option con-
trol screen is selected.
■Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air mode.
●During use, various odors from inside an d outside the vehicle may enter into and
accumulate in the air condit ioning system. This may then cause odor to be emitted
from the vents.
●To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditio ning system be set to outside air mode
prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immedi- ately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic mode.
■Air conditioning filter
 P. 4 5 8
■Customization
Settings (e.g. exhaust gas sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 5 9 9 )

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4055-5. Other interior features
5
Interior features
Important! Read this information before using Safety Connect.
■Exposure to radio frequency signals
The Safety Connect system installed in your vehicle is a low-power
radio transmitter and receiver. It receives and also sends out radio fre-
quency (RF) signals.
In August 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
adopted RF exposure guid elines with safety levels for mobile wireless
phones. Those guidelines are consistent with the safety standards previ-
ously set by the following U.S. and international standards bodies.
●ANSI (American National Standards Institute) C95.1 [1992]
●NCRP (National Council on Radi ation Protection and Measure-
ment) Report 86 [1986]
●ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Pro-
tection) [1996]
Those standards were based on comprehensive and periodic evalua-
tions of the relevant scientific litera ture. Over 120 scientists, engineers,
and physicians from universities, and government health agencies and
industries reviewed the available body of research to develop the ANSI
Standard (C95.1).
The design of Safety Connect co mplies with the FCC guidelines in
addition to those standards.
Safety information for Safety Connect