3554-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle
ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road conditions.
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the parking brake.
The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released. If necessary,
block the wheels to prevent inadvertent sliding or creeping.
XVehicles with front and rear tires of the same size except for the vehicles with
LDH and 19 inch tires
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
(3 mm [0.12 in.] in diameter)
Cross chain
(4 mm [0.16 in.] in diameter)
XVehicles with front and rear tires of differing sizes and vehicles with LDH and
19 inch tires
Tire chains cannot be mounted.
Snow tires should be used instead.
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on location and type
of road. Always check local regulations before installing chains.
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
1
2
Regulations on the use of tire chains
4076-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■High-pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the windows.
●Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed prop-
erly.
■Notes for a smart entry & start system (vehicles with entry function)
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effective range, the
door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the following correction proce-
dures to wash the vehicle:
●Place the key in a position 2 m (6 ft.) or more separate from the vehicle while the vehi-
cle is being washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
●Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart entry & start system.
( → P. 1 5 5 )
■Aluminum wheels
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neut ral detergent. Do not use hard brushes or
abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
●Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after driving for
long distance in the hot weather.
●Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■Brake caliper coating (vehicles with orange brake calipers for F SPORT models)
●When using detergent, use neutral detergent.
Do not use hard brushes or abrasive cleaners, as they will damage the coating.
●Do not use detergent on the brake calipers when they are hot.
●Wash detergent off immediately after use.
■Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
■Front side windows water-repellent coating
●The following precautions can extend the effectiveness of the water-repellent coating.
• Remove any dirt, etc. from the front side windows regularly.
• Do not allow dirt and dust to accumulate on the windows for a long period. Clean the windows with a soft, damp cloth as soon as possible.
• Do not use wax or glass cleaners that contain abrasives when cleaning the windows.
• Do not use any metallic objects to remove condensation build up.
●When the water-repellent performance has become insufficient, the coating can be
repaired. Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional.
4096-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and components (aluminum
wheels etc.)
●Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar, pollen or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated wi th soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron pow-
der or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gaso line are spilled on the paint surface
●If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
●To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place with low
humidity when storing the wheels.
■Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
●Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■When using an automatic car wash (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
Turn off AUTO mode of the wiper to prevent the wiper from operating. ( →P. 2 5 0 )
If AUTO mode is selected, the wipers may operate and the wiper blades may be dam-
aged.
■When using a high-pressure car wash
●When washing the vehicle, do not let water from the high-pressure washer directly hit
the camera or the area around the camera. Due to the shock from high-pressure
water, it is possible that the device may not operate normally.
●Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured cover), con-
nectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if they come into contact
with high-pressure water.
• Traction related parts
•Suspension parts •Steering parts
•Brake parts
4146-2. Maintenance
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs that indicate
service is needed. Some important clues are:
●Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
●Appreciable loss of power
●Strange engine noises
●A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air conditioning sys-
tem after use is normal.)
●Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide leak. Drive
with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked immediately.)
●Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
●Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
●Strange noises related to suspension movement
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost touches the floor,
vehicle pulls to one side when braking
●Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal ( →P. 1 0 5 )
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipp ed professional as soon as possible. Your
vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
WA R N I N G
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possible
death or serious injury.
■Handling of the 12-volt battery
12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after handling.
( → P. 4 2 8 )
4166-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move suddenly,
become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury, observe
the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
●Make sure that the “POWER ON” on the multi-information display and the
“READY” indicator are both off.
●Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc.
right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the engine
compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes are flamma-
ble.
●Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage painted sur-
faces. If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean
water immediately. If you still experience discomfort, consult a doctor.
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, the elec tric cooling fans may automatically start to
run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 4 2 7 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or fallin g material, fluid spray, etc. from getting in
your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear due to dirt
in the air.
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads wear or when
the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.
467
7When trouble arises
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
7-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers...................468
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ................................. 469 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed................................ 470
If you think something is wrong........................................475
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds........................................... 476
If a warning message is displayed ................................ 482
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with spare tire)............................517
If you have a flat tire (vehicles without spare tire)................... 528
If the hybrid system will not start ............................... 543
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P............................ 545
If the parking brake cannot be released................. 546
If the electronic key does not operate properly .....................548
If the 12-volt battery is discharged .................................. 551
If your vehicle overheats ......... 556
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................................. 563
469
7
7-1. Essential information
When trouble arises
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to
slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
XIf the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the hybrid system.
XIf the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle speed as
much as possible.
To stop the hybrid system, press and
hold the power switch for 2 consec-
utive seconds or more, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more
or press briefly 3 times or more
4
WA R N I N G
■If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the steering wheel will be lost, making the steering wheel heavier to
turn. Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the hybrid system.
5
4727-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be temporarily
towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency towing eyelets. This
should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads for short distances at under
5 km/h (3 mph).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The vehicle’s
wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condition.Take out the towing eyelet. ( →P. 5 1 8 , 5 2 9 )
Remove the eyelet cover using a flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a rag between the screwdriver and the vehicle body
as shown in the illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the hole
and tighten partially by hand.
Emergency towing
Emergency towing procedure
1
2
XExcept F SPORT models XF SPORT models
3