engine Lexus GS300h 2017 User Guide

1102. Instrument cluster
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
WARNING
■The information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal information
display. At extremely low temperatures, the information display monitor may respond
slowly, and display changes may be delayed.
For example, there is a lag between the driver’s shifting and the new gear number
appearing on the display. This lag could cau se the driver to downshift again, causing
rapid and excessive engine braking and po ssibly an accident resulting in death or
injury.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the hybrid system and its components
●While the tachometer is displayed, do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer
enter the red zone, which indicates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the red
zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check the
engine after it has cooled completely. ( P. 535)

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2. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE) Charge area
Shows regenerative charging.
Hybrid Eco area
Shows that gasoline engine power is not
being used very often.
The gasoline engine will automatically
stop and restart under various condi-
tions.
Eco area
Shows that the vehicle is being dr
iven in an Eco-friendly manner.
Power area
Shows that an Eco-friendly driving range is being exceeded (during full power driving
etc.)
When the vehicle approaches an inter-
section, the direction the vehicle should
go is guided by the arrow.
When the vehicle approaches an inter-
section, the route guidance will start
and the distance *
to the intersection
will also be displayed.
* : The distance decrea ses in increments of
50 m (164 ft.) and the distance indication
will disappear when the vehicle passes
through the intersection.
Hybrid System Indicator
1
2
3
Route guidance display (vehic les with navigation system)
4

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2. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
■Multi-information display
Press or of the meter control switches and select , and then press
or to select the energy monitor display.
Remote Touch screenMulti-information display
When the vehicle is powered by the electric motor (traction motor)
When the vehicle is powered by both the gasoline engine and the electric motor (trac-
tion motor)
When the vehicle is powered by the gasoline engine

2044-1. Before driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■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 shifting, or changes in engine speed
could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that the
brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from func-
tioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning properly,
steering control may be affected.
■When shifting the shift lever
●Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is in a driving position, or roll
forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may result in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
●Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Shifting the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the hybrid sys-
tem. Engine braking is not available with the hybrid system disengaged.
●Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. Shifting the
shift lever to any position other than P or N may lead to unexpected rapid accelera-
tion of the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in death or s erious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer as soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Front and rear*
brakes: Moderate levels of brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced
braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly than conventional brake
discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads, Lexus recommends that you also
have the thickness of the discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when th e wear limits of the brake pads and/or those
of the brake discs are exceeded.
* : Except for Reunion, Canary Islands, Russi a, Ukraine, Israel, Turkey, Kazakhstan,
Georgia

205
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly
and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing
the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indicator is illuminated, and apply
the parking brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, alwa ys depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust
system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehicle
when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:

207
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving, as
this may restrain the hybrid system output.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the
same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and 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 possi ble 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 vehicle.
●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. 498, 509)
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to have
any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus auth orized repairer, or any reliable repairer
check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid transmis-
sion, differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

211
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
■Total trailer weight and permissible drawbar load
Total trailer weight
Weight of the trailer itself plus the
trailer load should be within the max-
imum towing capacity. Exceeding
this weight is dangerous. ( P. 546)
When towing a trailer, use a friction
coupler or friction stabilizer (sway
control device).
Permissible drawbar load
Allocate the trailer load so that the drawbar load is greater than 25 kg (55.1 lb.) or
4% of the towing capacity. Do not let the drawbar load exceed the indicated
weight. ( P. 546)
■Information tag (manufacturer’s label)
Gross vehicle mass
The combined weight of the driver,
passengers, towing hitch, luggage,
total curb mass and drawbar load
should not exceed the gross vehicle
mass by more than 100 kg (220.5
lb.). Exceeding this weight is danger-
ous.
Maximum permissible rear axle capacity
The weight borne by the rear axle should not exceed the maximum permissible
axle capacity by 15% or more. Exceeding this weight is dangerous.
The values for towing capacity were derived from testing conducted at sea level.
Take note that engine output and towing capacity will be reduced at high altitudes.
Important points regarding trailer loads
1
2
1
WARNING
■When the gross vehicle mass limit or maximum permissible axle capacity is exceeded
Do not exceed the established speed limit fo r towing a trailer in built-up areas or 100
km/h (62 mph), whichever is lower.
Failing to observe this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or serious
injury.
2

215
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
■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 change s.
■Transmission information
To maintain engine braking efficiency, when using engine braking, when driv-
ing on a long steep downgrade, do not use the transmission in D. (P. 227)
■If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures exceeding 30 C (85 F) may result in the engine overheating. If the engine coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is overheating, turn the air condition-
ing off immediately, leave the road and stop the vehicle in a safe place. (  P. 535)
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle and trailer.
Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.
WARNING
Follow all the instructions described in this se ction. Failure to do so could cause an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury.
■Trailer towing precautions
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded. ( P. 211)
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehicle.
●Do not tow a trailer when the tire installed is repaired with the emergency tire punc-
ture repair kit.
●Do not use cruise control (if equipped) or dynamic radar cruise control with full-
speed range (if equipped) when trailer towing.
■Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
■Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while descending
steep or long downhill grades.
■Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake ov erheating or reduce braking effects.

2224-2. Driving procedures
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(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 sound 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, driv en 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. 126)
●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 (tra ction motor) is used to drive the vehi-
cle.
This mode allows you to dr ive 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.

223
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F92E_(EE)
■Switching to EV drive mode wh en the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gaso line engine is cold, the gasoline engine will
start automatically in order to warm up. In th is 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 can celed, 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. 126)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●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 t o approxi-
mately 1 km (0.6 mile). However, dependin g 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 electr ic 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.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV dr
ive mode, pay special attention to the area around the vehicle.
Because there is no engine noise, pedestrian s, 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 extr a care while driving.