2018 Lexus GS450h Owner's Manual / LEXUS 2018 GS450H OWNER'S MANUAL (OM30G62U)

GS450h_OM_OM30G62U_(U)
1854-2. 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 abou t 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will
resume functioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” will be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctio ning. 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 vehicl e, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→P. 410
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 382
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the power switch mode may not change or
the hybrid system may not start.
●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 seco nds before restarting the hybrid system.
■If the smart access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a customized
setting
→ P. 454
“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 turning the steering wheel
left and right.

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4-2. Driving procedures
WARNING
■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 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 ve hicle 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 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. 397)
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 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 ba ttery discharge may occur.
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to star t, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differen tly than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, ther e may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.

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GS450h_OM_OM30G62U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
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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 electric 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, driv en 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 (tra ction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
( → P. 110)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly 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 (traction motor) is used to drive the vehi-
cle.
This mode allows you to drive in reside ntial 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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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 canc eled, 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. 110)
●Vehicle speed high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly 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 ranges 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 th e hybrid battery [traction battery] level and
driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve th e best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electr ic motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necess ary 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.
WARNING
■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 th em. 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. 192)

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4-2. Driving procedures
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
→P. 258
■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

GS450h_OM_OM30G62U_(U)
1914-2. Driving procedures
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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 rang e, 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 engine 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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4-2. Driving procedures
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 gr eater 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