Lexus GS300h 2013 Owner's Manual

2554-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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The windshield defogger is in use.

2564-2. Driving procedures
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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 this 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 following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, 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. 131)
GS450h: Vehicle speed becomes more than about 40 km/h (25 mph).
GS300h: Vehicle speed becomes more than about 45 km/h (28 mph).
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 approximately 1 km (0.6 mile). Driving is possible at speeds of less than
approximately 40 km/h (25 mph) for GS450h or 45 km/h (28 mph) for
GS300h. However, depending 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
Your Lexus is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during nor-
mal 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.

2574-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
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CAUTION
Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around
the vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding
bicycles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the
vehicle starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

2584-2. Driving procedures
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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 vehi-
cle is completely stopped.
Shifting the shift lever

2594-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
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*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.
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. 263)

2604-2. Driving procedures
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Sport mode/Eco drive mode
P. 388
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.
Selecting the driving mode

2614-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
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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 the level of
engine braking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
GS300h:
The selected shift range, from D1
to D6, will be displayed in the
meter.
GS450h:
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
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
1
2
Meter displayFunctionGS300hGS450h
D2-D6D2-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

2624-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a
higher shift range.

2634-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
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To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be
selected by operating the shift lever or paddle shift switches, allow-
ing you to drive in the shift range of your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting
GS300h:
The selected shift range, from S1
to S6, will be displayed in the
meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is
automatically set to between S2
and S5 according to vehicle speed.
GS450h:
The selected shift range, from S1
to S8, will be displayed in the
meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is
automatically set to between S2
and S6 according to vehicle speed.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2

2644-2. Driving procedures
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Shift ranges and their functions
GS300h: You can choose from 6 levels of accelerating force
and engine braking force.
GS450h: 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 range, and the engine
revolutions will also increase.
GS300h: If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 5, the shift
range may automatically range up in accordance with the vehi-
cle’s speed.
GS450h: If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 7, the shift
range may automatically range up in accordance with the vehi-
cle’s speed.