engine Lexus GS300h 2013 Owner's Guide

2544-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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 gaso-
line 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 display.
The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven 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 0
C (32F) for a
long period of time etc.
The gasoline engine is warming up.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy monitor” display is
low.
(P. 131)
GS450h: Vehicle speed is about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more.
GS300h: Vehicle speed is about 45 km/h (28 mph) or more.
The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
In EV drive mode the electric motor (traction motor), powered by
the hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the
morning and late at night, or in indoor parking lots etc. without
concern for noises and gas emissions.

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
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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.

2594-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
*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)

2614-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(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 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.

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.

2664-2. Driving procedures
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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.

293
4 4-4. Refueling
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Opening the fuel tank cap
Close all the doors and windows, and turn the power switch off.
Confirm the type of fuel.
Fuel types
GS300h
EU area:
Unleaded gasoline conforming to European standard EN228, Research
Octane Number of 91 or higher
Except EU area:
Unleaded gasoline, Research Octane Number of 91 or higher
GS450h
EU area:
Unleaded gasoline conforming to European standard EN228, Research
Octane Number of 95 or higher
Except EU area:
Unleaded gasoline, Research Octane Number of 95 or higher
Use of ethanol blended gasoline in a gasoline engine
Lexus allows the use of ethanol blended gasoline where the ethanol content
is up to 10%. Make sure that the ethanol blended gasoline to be used has a
Research Octane Number that follows the above.
Perform the following steps to open the fuel tank cap:
Before refueling the vehicle

3584-5. Using the driving support system
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
Lexus parking assist-sensor display
When an obstacle is detected while the rear view monitor system, is in use,
the warning indicator will appear in the top right of the screen even if the dis-
play setting has been set to off.
Sensor detection information
The sensor’s detection areas are limited to the areas around the vehicle’s
bumpers.
Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where
this may occur are listed below.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor. (Wiping the sensors will resolve
this problem.)
• The sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen the screen may show an
abnormal display, or obstacles may not be detected.
• The sensor is covered in any way.
• The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass.
• The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle
engines, air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises producing
ultrasonic waves.
• There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the
vicinity.
• The sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain.
• The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
• Towing eyelets are installed.
• The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather.
• The area directly under the bumpers is not detected.
• If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
• A non-genuine Lexus suspension (lowered suspension etc.) is installed.
• People may not be detected if they are wearing certain types of clothing.
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of
their shape, signs and other objects may be judged by the sensor to be closer
than they are.