Lexus GS300h 2015 Owner's Manual

231
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
Parking brake
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will
come on. (
→P. 232)
Press and hold the parking brake switch
if an emergency occurs and it is neces-
sary to operate the parking 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.
The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift lever opera-
tion.
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.
A selections can be made as de sired from the following modes.
Manual mode
1
2
Automatic mode

2324-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■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.
●Vehicles with towing package: In situations such as when parking while towing a trailer,
the maximum amount of braking force can be used by pressing the parking brake
switch with the parking brake already set.
●Vehicles without towing package: In situations such as when parking on a steep slope*,
the maximum amount of braking force can be used by pressing the parking brake
switch with the parking brake already set.
*: Use wheel chocks when parking on a steep slope.
■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 indi-
cator light will stay on for about 15 seco nds. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning message will turn on or flash. (→P. 4 7 8 , 4 8 2 )
Depending on the condition, the park ing brake indicator light may flash.
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
→P. 4 8 8
■Usage in winter time
→P. 3 5 4

2334-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
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. 5 4 6 )
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components overheat-
ing, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.

2344-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
Brake Hold
Turns the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the system is
holding the brake, the brake hold oper-
ated indicator (yellow) comes on.
■Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turn ed on in the following conditions:
●The driver’s door is not closed.
●The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
●“EPB Activation Stopped Incompletely” or “Electronic Parking Brake Malfunction Visit
Your Dealer” is displayed on the multi-information display.
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 sy stem is holding the brake, a warning buzzer
will sound and a message will be shown on th e 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, th e parking brake will be set automatically. 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 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. A warning
buzzer will sound and the multi-information di splay will inform the driver of this situa-
tion. ( →P. 4 8 2 )
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 peda l has been depressed to stop the vehi-
cle. The system releases the brake wh en the accelerator pedal is depressed
with the shift lever in D or S to allow smooth start off.

2354-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■When the parking brake is set automatically while the system is holding the brakes
The parking brake will not be released automatically. Perform one of the following proce-
dures to release the parking brake and confirm that the parking brake indicator light
turns off. ( →P. 2 3 1 )
●With the brake pedal depressed, operate the parking brake switch.
●Fasten your seat belt, check that the shift leve r is in either D or R and slowly depress the
accelerator pedal.
■Warning message and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to in dicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. ( →P. 4 8 2 )
WA R N I N G
■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 o ff 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.

2364-3. Operating the lights and wipers
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
Headlight switch
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows: The front position, tail, licenseplate and instrument panel
lights turn on.
The headlights and all lights listed above turn on.
The headlights, daytime run- ning lights ( →P. 2 3 9 ) a n d a l l
the lights listed above turn on
and off automatically.
(When the power switch is in
ON mode.)
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3

2374-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and release
it to flash the high beams once.
You can flash the high beams with the
headlights on or off.
This system allows the headlights and front position lights to be turned on for 30
seconds when the power switch is off.
Pull the lever toward you and release it
with the light switch is in after turn-
ing the power switch off.
Pull the lever toward you and release it
again to turn off the lights.
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2
Follow me home system

2384-3. Operating the lights and wipers
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) secures excellent visibility at intersections
and on curves by automatically adjusting the direction of the light axis of the
headlights according to vehicle speed and the degree of the tire’s angle as con-
trolled by steering input.
AFS operates at speeds of 10 km/h (6 mph) or higher.
■Deactivating AFS
Settings can be changed from on the multi-information display
(→ P. 111).
Press or on the meter control switch and select “AFS”.
Press on the meter control
switch and select “Off”.
The indicator turns on when the AFS
is deactivated.
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighti ng System) (if equipped)
1
2

2394-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving, the daytime
running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system is started and the park-
ing brake is released with the headlight switch is in the “AUTO” position. (Illuminate
brighter than the front position lights.)
Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
●When the light switch is in : The headlights turn off automatically if the power
switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
●When the light switch is in : The headlights and all lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power swit ch to ON mode, or turn the light switch off
once and then back to or .
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off or turned to ACCESSORY mode
and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
■Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of passen-
gers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not inter-
fere with other road users.
■If the “AFS OFF” indicator flashes
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor se nsitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: →P. 5 8 8 )
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything that
blocks the sensor is affixed to the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is off.

2404-3. Operating the lights and wipers
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
AHS (Adaptive High-beam System)∗
●Adjusts the brightness and illuminated area of the high beams according to
the vehicle speed.
●Adjusts the intensity of the high beams, while driving on a curve, so that the
area in the direction that the vehicle is turning will be illuminated more brightly
than other areas.
●Operates the variable high beams
so that the area around vehicles
ahead is partially not illuminated
while all other areas continue to be
illuminated with the high beams.
The variable high beams help optimize
forward visibility while reducing the daz-
zling effect on the drivers of vehicles
ahead.
●Adjusts the distance that the low beam s are projected according to the dis-
tance to a preceding vehicle.
∗: If equipped
The Adaptive High-beam System uses a camera sensor located behind the
upper portion of the windshield to assess the brightness of the lights of vehi-
cles ahead, streetlights, etc., and automatically controls the headlight light
distribution as necessary.
WA R N I N G
■Limitations of the Adaptive High-beam System
Do not rely on the Adaptive High-beam System. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings and turning the high beam on or off manually if necessary.
■To prevent incorrect operation of the Adaptive High-beam system
Do not overload the vehicle.