Lexus GS300h 2013 Owner's Manual

2654-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(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, 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 the power switch is turned off
after driving in snow mode.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 9 0 4

2664-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
CAUTION
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, 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 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 (trac-
tion battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able
to start.

2674-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Turn signal lever
The lever will return to its original position immediately after oper-
ation.
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 after 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.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
2
3
14

2684-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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.
Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed.
(Customizable feature P. 942)

269
4 4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Parking brake
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light
will come on. (P. 270)
Press and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and
it is necessary to operate the park-
ing brake while driving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake
indicator light goes off.
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
1
2

2704-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift
lever operation.
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.
Parking brake operation
When the power switch is not in ON mode, the parking brake cannot be
released using the parking brake switch.
When the power switch is not in ON mode, automatic mode (automatic
brake setting and releasing) is not available.
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the
system may restrict operation to prevent overheating. If this happens,
refrain from operating the parking brake. Normal operation will return after
about 1 minute.
Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
Parking brake indicator light
Depending on the power switch mode, the parking brake indicator light will
come on and stay on as described below:
ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds.
When the power switch is turned off with the parking brake set, the parking
brake indicator light will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
Automatic mode

271
4 4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning message will turn on or flash. (P. 830, 838)
Depending on the condition, the parking brake indicator light may flash.
Usage in winter time
P. 4 3 4
NOTICE
When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, set the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P
and make sure that the vehicle does not move.
When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and check the warning messages.
When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Use the parking brake release tool to manually release the parking brake.
(P. 905)
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake compo-
nents overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase
brake wear.

2724-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Brake Hold
Turns the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the sys-
tem is holding the brake, the brake
hold operated indicator (yellow)
comes on.
Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turned on in the following conditions:
The trunk or hood is not closed.
The driver’s door is not closed.
The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
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 system
is holding the brake, a warning buzzer will sound and a message will be
shown on the multi-information display. The parking brake will then be set
automatically.
Brake hold function
If the brake pedal is left released for a period of about 3 minutes after the
system has started holding the brake, the parking brake will be set automat-
ically. 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 system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever
is in D, S or N with the system on and the brake pedal has been
depressed to stop the vehicle. The system releases the brake when
the accelerator pedal is depressed with the shift lever in D or S to
allow smooth start off.

2734-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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. The multi-information display will inform the driver of this situ-
ation.

2744-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
When the parking brake is set automatically while the system is holding the
brakes
The parking brake will not be released automatically. Release the parking
brake by operating the parking brake switch, making sure that the parking
brake indicator light goes off. (P. 269)
When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning messages will turn on or flash. (P. 832, 843)
CAUTION
When the vehicle is on a steep incline
When using the brake hold system on a steep incline exercise caution. The
brake hold function may not hold the vehicle in such a situation.
When stopped on a slippery road
The system cannot stop the vehicle when the gripping ability of the tires
has been exceeded. Do not use the system when stopped on a slippery road.
NOTICE
When parking the vehicle
The brake hold system is not designed for use when parking the vehicle for
a long period of time. Turning the power switch off while the system is
holding the brake may release the brake, which would cause the vehicle to
move. When operating the power switch, depress the brake pedal, set the
parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.