2019 LEXUS GS300H Owners Manual

2254-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
 P. 311
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the 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

2264-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
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 force 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 restriction of the highest shift range, preventing
unnecessary upshifting and enabling th e level of engine braking force to be
selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
GS450h: The selected shift range, from D1 to D8,will be displayed in the meter.
GS300h: The selected shift range, from D1 to D6,will be displayed in the meter.
To return to normal D position driving, the “+” paddle shift switch must be helddown 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
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Meter displayFunctionGS450hGS300h
D2-D8D2-D6
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

2274-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
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
GS450h: 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 S6according to vehicle speed.
GS300h: The selected shift range, from S1 to S6,will be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is auto- matically set to between S2 and S5according to vehicle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●GS450h: You can choose from 8 levels of accelerating force and engine
braking force.
GS300h: You can choose from 6 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 range, and the engine revolutions will also
increase.
●GS450h: If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 7, the shift range may auto-
matically range up in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
GS300h: If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 5, the shift range may auto-
matically range up in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
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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.

2294-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately. The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Press the parking brake switch to check that the parking brake is set. ( P. 232)
Parking brake indicat or will come on.
Turn the power switch to off.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the button
is pressed.
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceler ation, as this could result in the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
■To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override butt on, make sure to set the parking brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depress instead of the brake pedal when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted out of P, the vehicle maysuddenly start, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
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2304-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever in N for a
long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to start.

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4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
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 before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
Operating instructions
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2324-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
Parking brake
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will come on. ( P. 233)
Press and hold the parking brake switch
if an emergency occurs and it is neces- sary to operate the parking brake whiledriving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch whiledepressing the brake pedal. Make sure
that the parking brake indicator light goes off.
The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift lever opera-
tion.
Turns automatic mode on/off
●When the shift lever is moved out of
P, the parking brake will be released.
●When the shift lever is moved into P,
the parking brake will be set.
Operate the shift lever with the brake pedal depressed.
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
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Automatic mode