steering Lexus GS300h 2013 Owner's Guide

2133-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
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Operation of each component
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Mirror angle can be adjusted when
The power switch is in ACCESSORY or ON mode.
Linked mirror function when reversing
When either “L” or “R” of the mirror select switch is selected, the outside
rear view mirrors will automatically angle downwards when the vehicle is
reversing in order to give a better view of the ground. To disable this func-
tion, select neither “L” nor “R”.
If the mirror angle adjustment switch is operated while the linked mirror
function is in operation, the angle and position of the mirrors can be remem-
bered, and the mirrors will operate at the angle adjusted to the last time the
linked mirror function was operated.
However, because the mirrors move based on the angle they are in when the
linked mirror function is not operating, the mirror angle when the linked
mirror function is operating will also be changed if the mirrors are adjusted
while the function is not operating.
Rain clearing mirrors (if equipped)
When water droplets collects on the mirror surface, for example when it
rains, the rain clearing (hydrophilic) effect of the mirrors causes the droplets
to be spread out into a film making the rear view clearer. In the following
cases, the rain clearing effect will be reduced temporarily, but will return
after 1 or 2 days’ exposure to direct sunlight.
After wiping dirt off the mirrors
When the mirrors fog up
After waxing your vehicle in an automatic car wash
After your vehicle has been parked for a long period in underground park-
ing lots etc. where there is no direct sunlight
When the mirrors are fogged up
The outside rear view mirrors can be cleared using the mirror defoggers.
Turn on the rear window defogger to turn on the outside rear view mirror
defoggers. (P. 499)
Automatic adjustment of the mirror angle
A desired mirror face angle can be entered to memory and recalled automati-
cally by the driving position memory. (P. 199)

2143-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
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Auto anti-glare function (if equipped)
When the anti-glare inside rear view mirror is set to automatic mode, the out-
side rear view mirrors will activate in conjunction with the anti-glare inside
rear view mirror to reduce reflected light. (P. 209)
Using automatic mode in cold weather
When automatic mode is used in cold weather, the door mirror could freeze
up and automatic stowing and return may not be possible. In this event,
remove any ice and snow from the door mirror, then either operate the mirror
using manual mode or move the mirror by hand.
CAUTION
Important points while driving
Observe the following precautions while driving.
Failure to do so may result in loss of control of the vehicle and cause an
accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
Do not adjust the mirrors while driving.
Do not drive with the mirrors folded.
Both the driver and passenger side mirrors must be extended and properly
adjusted before driving.
When a mirror is moving
To avoid personal injury and mirror malfunction, be careful not to get your
hand caught by the moving mirror.
When the mirror defoggers are operating
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces, as they can become very hot
and burn you.
NOTICE
If the mirrors become iced up (vehicles with rain-clearing mirrors)
In order to retain the rain-clearing properties of the mirror, do not attempt to
scrape the ice off. Instead, remove it by turning on the mirror defoggers or
by applying warm water.

2264-1. Before driving
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Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to
D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
When starting off on a uphill
The brake hold is available. (P. 269)
Driving in the rain
Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is rec-
ommended:
For the first 300 km (186 miles):
Avoid sudden stops.
For the first 800 km (500 miles):
Do not tow a trailer.
For the first 1000 km (621 miles):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
Starting off on a steep uphill
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2294-1. Before driving
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Driving
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CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
When driving the vehicle
During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. 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.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: P. 8 2 1
Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (P. 256)
Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shift changing, or changes in
engine speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
After driving through a puddle, depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the
brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.

2344-1. Before driving
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NOTICE
When driving the vehicle
Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain driving torque.
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake ped-
als at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is
accidentally depressed.
Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire (P. 870, 884)

2364-1. Before driving
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Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load:
CAUTION
Things that must not be carried in the trunk
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk:
Receptacles containing gasoline
Aerosol cans
Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly, may
block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting the driver or passen-
gers, possibly causing an accident.
Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible.
Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the package tray
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
• In front of the Remote Touch screen
Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
Load and distribution
Do not overload your vehicle.
Do not apply loads unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control
which may cause death or serious injury.

2444-1. Before driving
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Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order
to avoid accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in
mind when towing:
Checking connections between trailer and lights
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection
between the trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as
well as before starting off.
Practicing driving with a coupled trailer
Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer
coupled by practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the
steering wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the
trailer left or counterclockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a
little at a time to prevent steering error. Have someone guide
you when reversing to lessen the risk of an accident.
NOTICE
When the rear bumper strengthening material is aluminum
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that
area.
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to
corrosion, which will weaken the section concerned and may result in dam-
age. Apply a rust inhibitor to parts that will come in contact when attaching
a steel bracket.
Guidance

2454-1. Before driving
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Driving
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Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the distance to the vehicle run-
ning ahead of you should be equivalent to or greater than the
combined length of your vehicle and trailer. Avoid sudden brak-
ing that may cause skidding. Otherwise, the vehicle may spin out
of control. This is especially true when driving on wet or slippery
road surfaces.
Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer col-
liding with your vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when
approaching turns and take them slowly and carefully to avoid
sudden braking.
Important points regarding turning
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the
curve than the wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this,
take the turns wider than you would normally do.
Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and
strong crosswinds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be
rocked by passing buses or large trucks. Frequently check behind
when moving alongside such vehicles. As soon as such vehicle
movement occurs, immediately start to decelerate smoothly by
slowly applying the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight
ahead while braking.
Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer
and ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient
before executing lane changes.
Transmission information

2504-2. Driving procedures
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Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON
mode (the hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the
shift lever in P, the power switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the
vehicle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods
of time when the hybrid system is not operating.
Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 8 3
Electronic key battery depletion
P. 1 5 4
When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving condi-
tions
It may take time until the “READY” indicator comes on.
Conditions affecting operation
P. 1 5 0
Notes for the push-start function
P. 1 5 3
If the hybrid system does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 9 1 )
Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional.
Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The hybrid system may not
start if the shift lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P position when Start-
ing” will be displayed on the multi-information display.
Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
power switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.

2514-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
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When the steering lock cannot be released
Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended 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 about 10
seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
When “Check Entry & Start System” will be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional immediately.
If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the power
switch with the shift lever in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional immediately.
If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 8 4 0
If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 9 0 2
Operation of the power switch
When operating the power switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the power
switch mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the
switch.
If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the
power switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turn-
ing the power switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the
hybrid system.
If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated in a customized setting “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 steer-
ing wheel left and right.