warning Lexus GS450h 2008 Do-it-yourself maintenance / LEXUS 2008 GS450H (OM30A96U) User Guide

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1
1-8. Safety information
Before driving
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
Front passenger occupant classification system
Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classification sys-
tem. This system detects the conditions of the front passenger seat and
activates or deactivates the devices for front passenger.
SRS warning light
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light
“AIR BAG ON” indicator light
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light

108
1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant classification system
■Adult*1
■Child*3 or child restraint system*4
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator lights “A I R B A G
ON”
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Flashing
*2
DevicesFront passenger airbag and knee airbag
Activated
Side airbag in the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag
on the front passenger side
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator lights “A I R B A G
OFF”*5
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Flashing
*2
DevicesFront passenger airbag and knee airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag in the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag
on the front passenger side Activated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner

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1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
■Unoccupied
■ System malfunction
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator lights Not illumi-
nated
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
Devices Front passenger airbag and knee airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag in the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag
on the front passenger side Activated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner Deactivated
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator lights “A I R B A G
OFF”
SRS warning light On
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Off
Devices Front passenger airbag and knee airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag in the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag
on the front passenger side Activated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner

112
1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
CAUTION
■Front passenger occupant classification system precautions
●If an adult sits in the front passenger se at, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illu-
minated. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the passenger to sit
up straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and with the seat belt worn cor-
rectly. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator still remain illuminated, either ask the pas-
senger to move to the rear seat, or if th at is not possible, move the front passenger
seat fully rearward.
●When it is unavoidable to install a forward-facing child restraint system on the
front passenger seat, install the child rest raint system on the front passenger seat
in the proper order. ( P. 1 1 7 )
●Do not modify or remove the front seat.
●Do not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Otherwise,
the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction in the detection sys-
tem. In this case, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Do not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion or seat cover, that covers the seat
cushion surface.
●Child restraint systems installed on the rear seat should not contact the front seat-
backs.

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

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
May 13, 2008 3:11 pm
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the “S” mode)
To help ensure safety and driving perfor mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with the cruise control syst em (or dynamic radar cruise control sys-
tem)
The engine brake will not operate in the “S” mode, even when downshifting to “5” or
“4”. ( P. 1 6 9 )
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the “POWER” switch is turned to
ACCESSORY or ON mode after driving in snow mode.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from “P”
 P. 5 2 9
■If the indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to “S”
This may indicate a malfunction in the transmission. Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer immediately. 
(In this situation, the vehicle will operate as if the shift lever is in “D”.)
■When in heavy traffic
To avoid running the hybrid battery (traction battery) down, leave the shift lever in
“D” or “S”.

152
2-2. Instrument cluster
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
Indicators and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and center
panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s various systems.
Instrument cluster
The units used on the speedometer and some indicators may differ depend-
ing on the target region.
Center panel

154
2-2. Instrument cluster
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as ABS and the SRS airbag warning light not
come on when you turn to ON mode, this could mean that these systems are not
available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in death or serious
injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately if this occurs.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in the indicated
vehicle’s systems. ( P. 4 9 1 )
*: These lights turn on when the “POWER” switch is turned to ON mode
to indicate that a system check is being performed. They will turn off
after the hybrid system is on, or af ter a few seconds. There may be a mal-
function in a system if the lights do not come on, or turn off. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(if equipped)
*******
*****
*

155
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
December 12, 2007 3:50 pm
Multi-information display
The multi-information display presents the driver with a variety of driving-
related data, including the current driving range.
●Trip information ( P. 1 5 6 )
Displays driving range, fuel con-
sumption and other cruising
related information.
●Intuitive parking assist dis-
play (if equipped) ( P. 1 8 2 )
Automatically displayed when
using intuitive parking assist.
●Dynamic radar cruise con-
trol display (if equipped) 
( P. 1 6 9 )
Automatically displayed when
using dynamic radar cruise con-
trol.
●Warning messages 
( P. 500)
Automatically displayed when a
malfunction occurs in one of the
vehicle’s systems.
●Energy monitor ( P. 2 7 )
Displays the status of the hybrid
system.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am
Cruising in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles
within 400 ft. (120 m) ahead and to judge the distance between your
vehicle and those vehicles.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close when trave ling on long down-
hill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising 
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehi-
cle distance can also be set by oper ating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
switch.
Example of deceleration cruising 
When the vehicle ahead is driving slower than the set speed
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, in the same lane, the sys-
tem automatically decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in
vehicle speed is necessary, the system applies the brakes. A warning tone
warns you when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your
vehicle from closing on the vehicle ahead.