2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sittin g in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid 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 complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accide nt, 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 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or morein succession. ( P. 453)
However, do not touch the power switch while 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-in formation 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 thehybrid 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 any autho-
rized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer 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 malfunction. Contact any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
2244-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
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. 227)
2284-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
■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 performance, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downsh ifting 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 the 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 crui se control or dynamic radar cruise control
with full-speed range will not be canceled.
●GS450h: While driving in the D position or S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. ( P. 296, 308)
●GS300h: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 5 or 4. (P. 296, 308)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. (P. 311)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual operation is performed, the engine 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. 466) • When the accelerator pedal is depressed t oo much while the vehicle is in reverse.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift lever in start- ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only wh en the power switch is in ON mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.
235
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
Brake Hold
Turns the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the system is holding the brake, the brake hold oper-ated indicator (yellow) comes on.
■Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turn ed on in the following conditions:
●The driver’s door is not closed.
●The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
●“EPB Activation Stopped Incompletely” or “Electronic Parking Brake Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the multi-information display.
If any of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is enabled, the system will turn off and the brake hold standby indicator light will go off. In addition, if any of the conditions are detected while the sy stem is holding the brake, a warning buzzer
will sound and a message will be shown on th e multi-information display. The parking brake will then be set automatically.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released for a pe riod of about 3 minutes after the system has started holding the brake, th e parking brake will be set automatically. In this case, a warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information display.
●To turn the system off while the system is holding the brake, firmly depress the brake pedal and press the button again.
●The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep incline.
In this situation, it may be necessary for the driver to apply the brakes. A warning buzzer will sound and the multi-information disp lay will inform the driver of this situa- tion. ( P. 466)
The brake hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever is in D, S or
N with the system on and the brake peda l has been depressed to stop the vehi-
cle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator pedal is depressed
with the shift lever in D or S to allow smooth start off.
2994-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up to
approximately 100 m (328 ft.) ahead, determines the current vehicle-to-vehicle
following distance, and operates to maintain a suitable following distance from
the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehicle dis- tance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance button.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically deceler- ates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, the systemapplies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at this time). The system will respond to
changes in the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver. Approach wa rning warns you when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your ve hicle will also stop (vehicle is stopped by system control). After the vehicle ahead starts off, pushing the cruise control lever upor depressing the accelerator pedal will resume follow-up cruising.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower than the set
speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then returns to con-
stant speed cruising.
Driving in vehicl e-to-vehicle distance control mode
1
2
3
3024-5. Using the driving support systems
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
Pressing the button changes the vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance as follows:
Long
Medium
Short
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance is set automatically to long mode when thepower switch is turned ON mode.
If a vehicle is running ahead of you, the preceding vehicle mark will also be displayed.
Select a distance from the table below. Note that the distances shown corre-
spond to a vehicle speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). Vehicle-to-vehicle distance
increases/decreases in accordance with vehicle speed. When the vehicle is
stopped by system control, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance will be about 3 m
(10 ft.) to 5 m (16 ft.) regardless of the vehicle-to-vehicle distance setting.
After the vehicle ahead of you starts off,
push the lever up.
Your vehicle will also resume follow-up
cruising if the accelerator pedal is
depressed after the vehicle ahead of
you starts off.
Changing the vehicle-to -vehicle distance (vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode)
Preceding
vehicle mark
1
2
3
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance setting s (vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol mode)
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 50 m (160 ft.)
MediumApproximately 40 m (130 ft.)
ShortApproximately 30 m (100 ft.)
Resuming follow-up cruising when the vehicle has been stopped by sys-
tem control (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode)
3244-5. Using the driving support systems
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
Driving assist systems
◆ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)
The electronically controlled system generates braking force corresponding
to the brake operation
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the br akes are applied suddenly, or if the
brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces
◆TRC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering) (if equipped)
Adjusts the front wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed
and steering wheel movement
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems oper-
ate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware, however,
that these systems are suppl ementary and should not be relied upon too heav-
ily when operating the vehicle.
3254-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
◆DRS (Dynamic Rear Steering) (if equipped)
Contributes to the turning characteristics and responsiveness of the vehicle
by slightly adjusting the rear wheel angle of the vehicle in accordance with
steering wheel movement
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an
incline.
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn the
steering wheel
◆AVS (Adaptive Variable Susp ension system) (if equipped)
By independently controlling the damp ing force of the shock absorbers for
each of the 4 wheels according to the road and driving conditions, this system
helps riding comfort with a high level of stability, and helps good vehicle pos-
ture
When SPORT S+ mode is selected by the driving mode select switch, the
damping force is suitable for sporty driving ( P. 312)
◆LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handling system) (if equipped)
Provides independent control of the VGRS, DRS and EPS. Contributes to
turning characteristics at low speeds, responsiveness at medium speeds and
safety at high speeds by controlling the steering angle of the front and rear
wheels in accordance with the steering wheel operation and vehicle speed
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRC, VSC, hill-start
assist control, EPS, VGRS (if equipped) and DRS (if equipped) systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, hybrid system output, steering assist, steering ratio and
rear wheel angle
◆Emergency brake signal
When the brakes are applie d suddenly, the stop lights automatically flash to
alert the vehicle behind