551-1. For safe use
1
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
For safety and security
Safety information for children
●It is recommended that children sit in the rear seats to avoid accidental con-
tact with the shift lever, wiper switch etc.
●Use the rear door child-protector lock or the window lock switch to avoid
children opening the door while driving or operating the power window acci-
dentally. ( →P. 143, 193)
●Do not let small children operate equipment which may catch or pinch body
parts, such as the power window, hood, trunk, seats etc.
Observe the following precautions when children are in the vehicle.
Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child, until the child becomes
large enough to properly wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
WA R N I N G
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to have or use
the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or sh ift the vehicle into neutral. There is also a
danger that children may injure themselves by playing with the windows, the moon roof
(if equipped) or other features of the vehicl e. In addition, heat build-up or extremely
cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.
1953-5. Opening, closing the windows and moon roof
3
Operation of each component
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■Closing the windows
●The driver is responsible for all the power window operations, including the operation
for the passengers. In order to prevent accidental operation, especially by a child, do
not let a child operate the power windows. It is possible for children and other passen-
gers to have body parts caught in the power window. Also, when riding with a child, it
is recommended to use the window lock switch. ( →P. 1 9 3 )
●Check to make sure that all passengers do not have any part of their body in a posi-
tion where it could be caught when a window is being operated.
●When using the wireless remote control or mechanical key and operating the power
windows, operate the power window after checking to make sure that there is no pos-
sibility of any passenger having any of thei r body parts caught in the window. Also do
not let a child operate window by the wireless remote control or mechanical key. It is
possible for children and other passengers to get caught in the power window.
●When exiting the vehicle, turn the power switch off, carry the key and exit the vehicle
along with the child. There may be accidental operation, due to mischief, etc., that
may possibly lead to an accident.
■Jam protection function
●Never use any part of your body to intent ionally activate the jam protection function.
●The jam protection function may not work if something gets jammed just before the
window is fully closed.
■Catch protection function
●Never use hands, arms, clothing, etc., to intentionally activate the catch protection
function.
●The catch protection function may not operate if something gets caught just before
the window is fully opened. Be careful not to get hands, arms, clothing, etc., caught in
the window.
2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■When starting off on a uphill
The hill-start assist control is available. (→P. 3 4 5 )
■For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to conventional vehicles, and it is necessary
to refrain from activities such as sudden acceleration, etc. Refer to “Hybrid vehicle driv-
ing tips”. ( →P. 3 5 1 )
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, becaus e visibility will be reduced, the windows may
become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, beca use the road surface will be especially slip-
pery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because there may
be a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing the steering and
brakes from operating properly.
■Restraining hybrid system output (Brake Override System)
●When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same time, the hybrid sys-
tem output may be restrained.
●A warning message is displayed on the mult i-information display while the system is
operating. ( →P. 5 0 3 )
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual operation is performed, the hybrid system output may be
restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D
includes S) with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display. ( →P. 4 8 9 )
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the vehicle is in reverse.
●While Drive-Start Control is being activated, your vehicle may have trouble escaping
from the mud or fresh snow. In such case, deactivate TRC ( →P. 346) to cancel Drive-
Start Control so that the vehicle may become able to escape from the mud or fresh
snow.
■Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:
●For the first 300 km (186 miles):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 800 km (500 miles):
Do not tow a trailer.
●For the first 1000 km (621 miles):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
2134-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■Tire information
●Increase the tire inflation pressure to 20.0 kPa (0.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 3 psi) greater than
the recommended value when towing. ( →P. 5 7 5 )
●Increase the air pressure of the trailer tires in accordance with the total trailer weight
and according to the values recommended by the manufacturer of your trailer.
■Trailer lights
●Please consult at any authorized dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional when in stalling trailer lights, as incorrect installation may cause
damage to the vehicle’s lights. Please take care to comply with your state’s laws when
installing trailer lights.
●Check that the turn signal lights and stoplights are operating correctly every time you
hitch up the trailer. Directly wiring up to your vehicle may damage the electrical system
and stop the lights from functioning correctly.
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that vehicles fitted with new power train components should not be
used for towing trailers for the first 800 km (500 miles).
■Safety checks before towing
●Check that the maximum load limit for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball is not
exceeded. Bear in mind that the coupling weight of the trailer will add to the load
exerted on the vehicle. Also make sure that the total load exerted on the vehicle is
within the range of the weight limits. ( →P. 2 1 1 )
●Ensure that the trailer load is secure.
●Supplementary outside rear view mirrors shou ld be added to the vehicle if the traffic
behind cannot be clearly seen with standa rd mirrors. Adjust the extending arms of
these mirrors on both sides of the vehicle so that they always provide maximum visibility
of the road behind.
■Maintenance
●Maintenance must be performed more frequently when using the vehicle for towing
due to the greater weight burden placed on the vehicle compared to normal driving.
●Retighten all bolts securing the hitching ball and bracket after towing for approximately
1000 km (600 miles).
NOTICE
■When the rear bumper strengthening material is aluminum
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that area.
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to corrosion,
which will weaken the section concerned and may result in damage. Apply a rust inhib-
itor to parts that will come in co ntact when attaching a steel bracket.
3504-5. Using the driving support systems
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
■When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause an
accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■When the TRC/VSC systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As these
are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn the TRC/
VSC systems off unless necessary.
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specif ied size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire infla-
tion pressure level.
The ABS, TRC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are installed
on the vehicle.
Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modi fying the suspension will affect the driving
assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.
3574-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
■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 at speeds in excess of the speed limit or the speed limit specified for the
snow tires being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■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
50 km/h (30 mph), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steeri ng, sudden braking and shifting operations
that cause sudden engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle control is main-
tained.
●Do not use LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist) system. (if equipped)
●Do not use LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) system. (if equipped)
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the operation of the
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■Fitting tire chains (vehicles with front and rear tires of the same size except for the
vehicles with LDH and 19 inch tires)
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly when tire
chains are fitted.
■When standing the windshield wipers up
Raise the wipers in line with the windshield. (→P. 3 5 6 )
Failure to do so may result in damage to the wipers and/or the hood.
3755-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
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Interior features
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the outside/recircu-
lated air mode button to the recirculated air mode. This is effective in preventing out-
side air from entering the vehicle interior. During cooling operation, setting the
recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle interior effectively.
●Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on the tempera-
ture setting or the inside temperature.
■Automatic mode for air intake control
In automatic mode, the system detects exhaust gas and other pollutants and automati-
cally switches between outside air and recirculated air modes.
When the dehumidification function is off, and the fan is operating, turning automatic
mode on will activate the dehumidification function.
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
In the Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to prioritize
fuel efficiency:
●Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/cooling capac-
ity
●Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following operations:
●Adjust the fan speed
●Turn off Eco drive mode (→P. 3 3 0 )
■When the S-FLOW mode operates
If air flows to the driver’s seat only, the temperature setting for the front passenger’s seat
is not displayed.
■When the outside temperature is low
The dehumidification function may not operate even when “A/C” on the option control
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 and outside the vehicle may enter into and accu-
mulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to be emitted from the
vents.
●To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning 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 immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic mode.
443 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drive train as well as dangerous han-
dling characteristics, which may lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
●Vehicles with compact spare tire: Do not tow if your vehicle has a compact spare tire
installed.
●Vehicles with emergency tire puncture repair kit: Do not tow anything if a tire that has
been repaired using the emergency tire punc ture repair kit is installed. The load on
the tire may cause unexpected damage to the tire.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system (vehicles with the tire pressure
warning system)
Do not initialize tire inflation pressure withou t first adjusting the tire inflation pressure to
the specified level. Otherwise, the tire pre ssure warning light may not come on even if
the tire inflation pressure is low, or it ma y come on when the tire inflation pressure is
actually normal.
■Caution regarding interference with electron ic devices (vehicles with the tire pres-
sure warning system featuring a tire inflation pressure display function)
●Users of any electrical medical device other than implantable cardiac pacemakers,
cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibril-
lators should consult the manufacturer of the device for information about its opera-
tion under the influence of radio waves.
Radio waves could have unexpected effects on the operation of such medical
devices.
●People with implantable cardiac pacemakers,
cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemak-
ers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators
should not come within 450 mm (17.7 in.) of
the tire pressure warning system initiators.
The radio waves may affect the operation of
such devices.