Lexus GS450h 2008 Do-it-yourself maintenance / LEXUS 2008 GS450H OWNER'S MANUAL (OM30A96U)

121
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
Removing a child restraint installed with a seat beltPush the buckle release button
and fully retract the seat belt.
Installation with child restraint lower anchorsType A Widen the gap between
the seat cushion and seat-
back slightly.
Latch the hooks of the
lower straps onto the
anchors.
If the child restraint has a top
strap, the top strap should be
latched onto the anchors.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.
Canada only
STEP1
STEP2

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1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
Type BWiden the gap between
the seat cushion and seat-
back slightly.
Latch the buckles onto the
anchors.
If the child restraint has a top
strap, the top strap should be
latched onto the anchors.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.
Child restraint systems with a top strap
Secure the child restraint system
using a seat belt or lower anchors,
and move the head restraint in
place at the lowest position.
Canada only
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1

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1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
Open the anchor bracket cover,
latch the hook onto the anchor
bracket and tighten the top strap.
Make sure the top strap is securely
latched.
STEP2
■Laws and regulations pertaining to anchorages
Anchorages conform to FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2. 
Child restraint systems conf orming to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 specifications
can be used. 
This vehicle is designed to conform to the SAE J1819.
CAUTION
■When installing a booster seat
Do not fully extend the shoulder belt to prevent the belt from going to ALR lock
mode: ( P. 6 8 )
●ALR mode causes the belt to tighten only which could cause injury or discomfort
to the child.
●Do not allow the child to play with the seat belt or the child could be killed or seri-
ous injured.

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1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
CAUTION
■When installing a child restraint system
Follow the directions given in the child restraint system installation manual and fix
the child restraint system securely in place.
If the child restraint system is not correctl y fixed in place, the child or other passen-
gers may be injured or even killed in the event of sudden braking or an accident.
●When a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the shoulder belt is posi-
tioned across the center of the child’s shoulder. The belt should be kept away from
the child’s neck, but not so that it could fall off the child’s shoulder. Failing to do so
may result in death or serious injury in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
●If the driver’s seat interferes with the child
restraint system and prevents it from being
attached correctly, attach the child restraint
system to the right-hand rear seat.
●Only put a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front seat when unavoidable.
When installing a forward-facing child
restraint on the front passenger seat, move
the seat as far back as possible even if the
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illumi-
nated. Failing to do so may result in death
or serious injury if the airbags deploy
(inflate).

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1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
CAUTION
■When installing a child restraint system
●Ensure the belt and tab are securely locked and that the seat belt is not twisted.
●Push and pull the child restraint system in different directions to be sure it is
secure.
●Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufac-
turer.
■Do not use a seat belt extender
If a seat belt extender is used when inst alling a child restraint system, the seat belt
will not securely hold the child restraint system, which could cause death or serious
injury to the child or other passengers in the event of a collision.
■To correctly attach a child restraint system to the anchors
When using the lower anchors, be sure that there are no foreign objects around the
anchors and that the seat belt is not caught behind the child restraint system. Make
sure the child restraint system is securely attached, or it may cause death or serious
injury to the child or other passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident.

126
1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm

When driving2
127
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:33 pm
2-1. Driving procedures ........ 128Driving the vehicle.................. 128
Power (ignition) switch .......... 138
Transmission.............................. 142
Turn signal lever ....................... 146
Parking brake ........................... 147
2-2. Instrument cluster ......... 148 Gauges and meters ................ 148
Indicators and warning 
lights ......................................... 152
Multi-information display ..... 155 2-3. Operating the lights and

windshield wipers ........ 158
Headlight switch ..................... 158
Fog light switch .......................... 161
Windshield wipers and 
washer ...................................... 162
Headlight cleaner switch ..... 165
2-4. Using other driving 
systems .......................... 166
Cruise control.......................... 166
Dynamic radar cruise 
control ...................................... 169
Intuitive parking assist ........... 180
Rear view monitor 
system...................................... 195
AVS (Adaptive Variable 
Suspension System) ............ 199
Driving assist systems ........... 200
PCS (Pre-Collision 
System) .................................. 206
2-5. Driving information........ 210 Cargo and luggage ................ 210
Vehicle load limits ................... 214
Winter driving tips .................. 215
Trailer towing .......................... 220
Dinghy towing.......................... 221

128
GS_HV_U
May 13, 2008 3:11 pm
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
Starting on a steep inclineFirmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to “D”.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving.
■ Starting the hybrid system ( P. 1 3 8 )
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to “D”. 
( P. 1 4 2 )
Release the parking brake. ( P. 1 4 7 )
Gradually release the brake peda l and gently push the accel-
erator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in “D”, push the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift the
shift lever to “P”. (
P. 1 4 2 )
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in “D”, push the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 1 4 7 )
Shift the shift lever to “P”. ( P. 1 4 2 )
Stop the hybrid system.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on
your person.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
May 13, 2008 3:11 pm
■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, be cause the road surface will be especially
slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because
there may be a layer of wate r between the tires and the road surface, preventing
the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended to
observe:
●For the first 186 miles (300 km): 
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low range in the “S” position.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the
correct fuel. ( P. 5 4 6 )

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2-1. Driving procedures
GS_HV_U
May 13, 2008 3:11 pm
■When starting on an incline
The hill-start assist control may operate. (P. 200)
■For efficient use
●Put the shift lever into “D” when driving 
In the “N” position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be gen-
erated. The hybrid battery (traction batte ry) will be discharged requiring unnec-
essary engine power to recharge.
●Drive your vehicle smoothly 
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and decel-
eration will make more effective use of the traction motor without having to use
gasoline engine power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration 
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power,
resulting in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving with
the accelerator pedal slightly released.
●Put the shift lever into “P” when parking 
In the “N” position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge.
Leaving the shift lever in the “N” position for an extended period of the time may
discharge the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot run if the hybrid battery is dis-
charged.