Lexus GS300h 2015 Owner's Manual

2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock
in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press
and hold the power switch for more than 2 se conds, or press it briefly 3 times or more
in succession. ( →P. 4 6 9 )
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emergency. 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.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on.
●If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-in formation display, the power switch is not
off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch off.
●Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the power switch will not be
turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in
ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by any autho-
rized Lexus dealer or repairer, or anothe r duly qualified and equipped professional
immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualif ied and equipped professional immediately.

2224-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(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 gas-
oline 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 soun d and a message will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play.
●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. 1 2 6 )
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
In EV drive mode, electric power is s upplied by the hybrid battery (traction
battery), and only the electric motor (traction motor) is used to drive the vehi-
cle.
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 emis-
sions.

2234-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■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 fol-
lowing situations. When EV drive mode is ca nceled, 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. 1 2 6 )
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to info rm 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 approxi-
mately 1 km (0.6 mile). 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
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and elec tric 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.
WA R N I N G
■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.

2244-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
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 vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
*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.
Shifting the shift lever
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. 2 2 7 )

2254-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
→P. 3 3 0
■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_OM30F00E_(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
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 held
down 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
1
2
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_OM30F00E_(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 S6
according 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 S5
according 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 rang es 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
1
2

2284-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(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, dynamic radar 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 cruise control, dynamic radar cruise 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. 303, 315, 327)
●GS300h: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 5 or 4. ( →P. 303, 315, 327)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. ( →P. 330)
■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. 4 8 2 )
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the vehicle is in reverse.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→ P. 5 4 5
WA R N I N G
■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.

2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(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 (tr action battery) will discharge, and this may
result in the vehicle not being able to start.

2304-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(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 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.
■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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