2016 Lexus GS450h Owner's Manual / LEXUS 2016 GS450H OWNERS MANUAL (OM30E99U)

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4
Driving
EV drive mode
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on, “EV
MODE” will be displayed on the multi-
information display. Pressing the switch
when in EV drive mode will return the
vehicle to normal driving (using the gas-
oline engine and elec tric motor [traction
motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it cannot be
turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32 F (0 C) for a long
period of time etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
(  P. 1 0 8 )
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firm ly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
In EV drive mode, electric power is su pplied by the hybrid battery (traction
battery), and only the electric motor (tra ction motor) is used to drive the vehi-
cle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the morning and late
at night, or in indoor parking lots etc. without concern for noises and gas emis-
sions.
However, when the vehicle proximity noti fication system is active, the vehicle
may produce sound.

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■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 th is 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 fol-
lowing situations. When EV drive mode is ca nceled, 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. 1 0 8 )
●Vehicle speed high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firm ly 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 distance ra nges from a few hundred meters to approxi-
mately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, dependin g on vehicle conditions, there are situations
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
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine 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 without
starting the gasoline engine, pressing the power
switch with fully depressing the brake pedal and
pressing the EV drive mode switch.
WA R N I N G
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestrians, people
riding bicycles 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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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 com-
pletely 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. 1 9 0 )

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4-2. Driving procedures
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
P. 2 5 6
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit th e conditions when driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as on snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
*1:Except F SPORT models
*2:F SPORT models
Selecting the driving mode
*1
*2

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Driving
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” or “+” paddle shift
switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be downshifted
to a range that enables engine braking forc e that is suitable to driving conditions.
When the “+” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be one gear
upper than the gear in use during normal D position driving.
Changing the shift range allows restrictio n of the highest shift range, preventing
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 engi ne 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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To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected by operat-
ing the shift lever or paddle shift 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 auto-
matically 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 braking
force.
●A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine
braking force than a higher shift rang e, and the engine revolutions will also
increase.
●If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 7, the shift range may automatically
range up in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2

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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 performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
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.
■When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.
●While driving in the D position or S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. ( P. 2 4 1 , 2 5 3 )
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. ( P. 2 5 6 )
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual op eration 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 0 6 )
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed to o much while the vehicle is in reverse.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 448
WA R N I N G
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden accele ration, as this could result in the vehicle
skidding to the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid batter y (traction battery) will not be charged even
when the engine is running. Therefore, if the ve hicle is left with the shift lever in N for a
long period of time, the hybrid battery (tr action battery) will discharge, and this may
result in the vehicle not being able to start.

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Turn signal lever
The lever will return to its original position immediately after operation.
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■If the turn signals do not stop flashing af ter turning left or right, or if you want
to stop them flashing
Operate the lever in the opposite direction to either position or . If you
move the lever to either position or , the selected turn signals will flash.
■Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing befo re a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
Operating instructions
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