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1854-1. 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 the 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. 5 4 1 )
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GS450h_OM_OM30F70U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Power (ignition) switch
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the power switch.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the hybrid system is completely
started.
The hybrid system can be started from
any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is on.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
Performing the fol lowing operations when ca rrying the electronic key
on your person starts the hybrid system or changes power switch
modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5
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4-2. Driving procedures
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (→P. 211)
Press the power switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “POWER ON” on the multi-
information display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be used.
The multi-information display will not
be displayed.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as
the audio system can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the hybrid sys-
tem, the power switch will be turned to
ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
4
5
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GS450h_OM_OM30F70U_(U)
1954-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the switch off:Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” are displayed alter-
nately on the multi-information display and then press the power switch
once.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-infor-
mation display are off.
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a position
other than P
1
2
3
4
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GS450h_OM_OM30F70U_(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 andengine 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. 206)
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GS450h_OM_OM30F70U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Pa rk in g b ra ke
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will
come on. ( →P. 212)
Press and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and it is
necessary to operate the parking
brake while driving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake indi-
cator light goes off.
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
U.S.A. Canada
1
2
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4-2. Driving procedures
The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift lever
operation.
Turns automatic mode on/off
●When the shift lever is moved out
of P, the parking brake will be
released.
●When the shift lever is moved into
P, the parking brake will be set.
Operate the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed.
■Parking brake operation
●When the power switch is not in ON mode, the parking brake cannot be released
using the parking brake switch.
●When the power switch is not in ON mode, automatic mode (automatic brake set-
ting and releasing) is not available.
●If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the system
may restrict operation to prevent overheating. If this happens, refrain from operat-
ing the parking brake. Normal operation will return after about 1 minute.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light
●Depending on the power switch mode, the parking brake indicator light will come
on and stay on as described below:
ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds.
●When the power switch is turned off with the parking brake set, the parking brake
indicator light will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
Automatic mode
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GS450h_OM_OM30F70U_(U)
2134-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning message will turn on or flash. (→P. 5 0 5 , 5 1 8 )
Depending on the condition, the parking brake indicator light may flash.
■Usage in winter time
→ P. 3 1 9
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, set the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P and
make sure that the vehicle does not move.
■When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and check the warning messages.
■When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Use the parking brake release tool to manually release the parking brake.
(→ P. 5 5 7 )
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.
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