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4-2. Driving procedures
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 ACCESSORY
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 “Turn Off Vehicle” is displayed on the multi-information display
and then press the power switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on the multi-information display is off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON mode (the
hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the power
switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely prevent 12-volt
battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or
ON mode for long periods of time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 6 8
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 118
■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving conditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flas hing time of the “READY” indicator may be
long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “REA DY” indicator is steady on, as steady means
the vehicle is able to move.
■Conditions affe cting operation
P. 1 3 5
■Notes for the entry function
P. 1 3 6
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may no t have been deactivated. (P. 74 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is se curely set in P. The hybrid system may not start if the shift
lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P position to Start” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
■Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the stee ring lock function. Operating the power switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4

GS450h_OM_OM30E99U_(U)
1834-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended if the
hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case, refrain
from operating the hybrid system. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will
resume functioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Ke y” will be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after performing the
proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 4 0 6
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 3 7 7
■Operation of the power switch
●When operating the power switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch is
pressed improperly, the hybrid system may no t start or the power switch mode may not
change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power switch off,
the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the power switch off,
please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid system.
■If the smart access system with push-butto n start has been deactivated in a customized
setting
P. 4 5 1
“Steering Lock active” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
power switch while turn
ing the steering wheel
left and right.

184
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4-2. Driving procedures
WA R N I N G
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hy brid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and comp lete stop. Activation of the steering lock
in this circumstance may lead to an acci dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press
and hold the power switch for more than 2 se conds, or press it briefly 3 times or more
in succession. ( P. 393)
However, do not touch the power switch whil e driving except in an emergency. Turning
the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer
smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on.
●If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-information display, the power switch is not
off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch off.
●Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the power switch will not be
turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in
ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating so mewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malf unction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.

185
GS450h_OM_OM30E99U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
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.

186
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4-2. Driving procedures
■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.

GS450h_OM_OM30E99U_(U)
1914-2. Driving procedures
4
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.

GS450h_OM_OM30E99U_(U)
1994-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after the
power switch is turned off and a door is opened and all of the doors and trunk are
closed. (The lights turn off immediately if on the key is pressed twice after all the
doors are closed.)
●When only the tail lights are on: The tail ligh ts turn off automatically if the power switch
is turned off and the driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light switch off
once and then back to or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is kept open , the lights automatically turn off after 20 min-
utes.
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off or turned to ACCESSORY mode
and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
■Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatically ad justed according to the number of passen-
gers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not inter-
fere with other road users.
■If the “AFS OFF” indicator flashes
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor se nsitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 4 9 1 )
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is off.

224
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Operational conditions
Availability of the pedestrian detection function and pre-collision braking function
depend on the region in which the vehicle was sold.
Read the following for details:
Region A
(The pedestrian detection fu nction and pre-collision braking function are available)
The pre-collision system is enabled and the sy stem determines that the possibility of a
frontal collision with a vehicle or pedestrian is high.
Each function is operationa l at the following speeds:
●Pre-collision warning:
• Vehicle speed is approximately 7 mph (1 0 km/h) or more. (For detecting a pedes-
trian, vehicle speed is between approxim ately 7 and 50 mph [10 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicl e and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is
approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
●Pre-collision brake assist:
• Vehicle speed is approximately 19 mph (3 0 km/h) or more. (For detecting a pedes-
trian, vehicle speed is between approxim ately 19 and 50 mph [30 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicl e and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is
approximately 19 mph (30 km/h) or more.
●Pre-collision braking:
• Vehicle speed is approximately 7 mph (1 0 km/h) or more. (For detecting a pedes-
trian, vehicle speed is between approxim ately 7 and 50 mph [10 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicl e and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is
approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
The system may not operate in the following situations:
●If a battery terminal has be en disconnected and reconnected and then the vehicle has
not been driven for a certain amount of time
●If the shift lever is in R
●If VSC is disabled (only the pre-collision warning function will be operational)
●If the PCS warning light is flashing or illuminated
RegionsFunction availability
Region AThe pedestrian detection function and pre-collision braking
function are available
Region BThe pedestrian detection function is not available and the pre-
collision braking function is available
Region CThe pedestrian detection function and pre-collision braking
function are not available