HYBRID Lexus GS450h 2008 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
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1-1. Hybrid system ............................... 22Hybrid system................................... 22
1-2. Key information ........................... 33 Keys ...................................................... 33
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk .................. 35
Smart access system with push-button start .......................... 35
Wireless remote control .............. 47
Doors................................................... 50
Trunk..................................................... 55
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel) .......................... 58
Front seats ......................................... 58
Driving position memory system ............................................... 60
Head restraints................................. 64
Seat belts ............................................ 66
Steering wheel.................................. 73
Inside rear view mirror.................. 74
Outside rear view mirrors ........... 75 1-5. Opening and closing the
windows and moon roof .......... 77
Power windows................................ 77
Moon roof ......................................... 80
1-6. Refueling ....................................... 83 Opening the fuel tank cap........... 83
1-7. Theft deterrent system.............. 88 Immobilizer system ....................... 88
Alarm.................................................... 90
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.) ............................................. 92
1-8. Safety information ....................... 93 Correct driving posture ............... 93
SRS airbags ....................................... 95
Front passenger occupant classification system .................. 107
Child restraint systems ................. 113
Installing child restraints ............... 117
2-1. Driving procedures................... 128 Driving the vehicle ........................ 128
Power (ignition) switch ............... 138
Transmission ................................... 142
Turn signal lever............................. 146
Parking brake ................................. 147
1Before driving
2When driving
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5-1. Essential information .............. 482If your vehicle needs to be towed .................................. 482
If you think something is wrong ............................................ 488
Event data recorder ................... 489
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency ................................ 491
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds... ........ 491
If a warning message is displayed...................................... 500
If you have a flat tire (Vehicles with standard tires) .................... 517
If you have a flat tire (Vehicles with run-flat tires) ...................... 527
If the hybrid system will not start......................................... 528
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from “P” .......................... 529
If you lose your keys ................... 530
If the electronic key does not operate properly ........................ 531
If the 12 volt battery is discharged ................................... 534
If your vehicle overheats .......... 538
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................................. 541 6-1. Specifications............................ 544
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)..................... 544
Fuel information........................... 553
Tire information ............................ 556
6-2. Customization .......................... 569 Customizable features .............. 569
6-3. Initialization ............................... 575 Items to initialize ........................... 575
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners.................................. 578
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) .................................... 579
Abbreviation list ....................... 582
Alphabetical index................... 584
What to do if............................... 594
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index
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Installation of a mobile two-way radio system
As the installation of a mobile two-way radio system in your vehicle could affect
electronic systems such as the hybrid system, multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection system, cruise control system, vehicle dynamics
integrated management, SRS airbag system and seat belt pretensioner system, be
sure to check with your Lexus dealer for precautionary measures or special instruc-
tions regarding installation.
High voltage parts and cables on the hybrid vehicles emit approximately the same
amount of electromagnetic waves as the conventional gasoline powered vehicles or
home electronic appliances despite of their electromagnetic shielding.
Unwanted noise may occur in the reception of the mobile two-way radio.
Scrapping of your Lexus
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your Lexus contain explosive
chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt pretensioners left
as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to have the systems of
the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner removed and disposed of by a qualified
service shop or by your Lexus dealer before you scrap your vehicle.
Perchlorate Material
Special handling may apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These components may
include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote control batteries.
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CAUTION
■General precautions while driving
Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influence of
alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehicle. Alcohol
and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and reduce coordination,
which could lead to an accident that will hurt or kill you, your occupants or others.
Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other drivers
or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.
Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that distracts
the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or reading can
result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you, your occupants or
others.
■General precautions regarding children’s safety
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to have or
use the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral. There is
also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with the cigarette
lighter, the windows, the moon roof, or other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat
build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.
■Dispose of the hybrid battery (traction battery)
If your vehicle is disposed of without the hybrid battery having been removed, there
is a danger of serious electric shock if high voltage parts, cables and their connec-
tors are touched. In the event of that your vehicle must be disposed of, the hybrid
battery must be disposed of your Lexus dealer or a qualified service shop. If the
hybrid battery is not disposed of properly, they may cause electric shock that can
result in death or serious injury.
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Before driving1
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December 12, 2007 3:30 pm
1-1. Hybrid system .................. 22Hybrid system ............................ 22
1-2. Key information ............... 33 Keys .............................................. 33
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
and trunk........................ 35
Smart access system with push-button start .................... 35
Wireless remote control ......... 47
Doors ........................................... 50
Trunk ............................................. 55
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel) .............. 58
Front seats .................................. 58
Driving position memory system ........................................ 60
Head restraints .......................... 64
Seat belts ..................................... 66
Steering wheel ........................... 73
Inside rear view mirror ............ 74
Outside rear view mirrors ...... 75 1-5. Opening and closing
the windows and
moon roof ........................ 77
Power windows .......................... 77
Moon roof ................................... 80
1-6. Refueling .......................... 83 Opening the fuel tank cap ..... 83
1-7. Theft deterrent system ... 88 Immobilizer system .................. 88
Alarm............................................ 90
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)...................................... 92
1-8. Safety information........... 93 Correct driving posture ......... 93
SRS airbags ................................ 95
Front passenger occupant classification system............ 107
Child restraint systems .......... 113
Installing child restraints......... 117
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1-1. Hybrid system
Hybrid system
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from con-
ventional vehicles. Be sure you are closely familiar with the characteristics
of your vehicle, and operate with care.
The hybrid system combines a gasoline engine and an electric motor (trac-
tion motor) according to driving conditions, improving fuel efficiency and
reducing exhaust emissions.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (Traction motor)
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■Regenerative braking
The motor generator converts kinetic energy to electric energy when:
●The accelerator pedal is released.
●The brake pedal is depressed with the shift lever in “D” or “S”.
■When stopped/during take-off
The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped. During take-
off, the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehicle. At slow
speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine is stopped
and the motor is used.
■ During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor
(traction motor) charges the hybrid battery as necessary.
■ When accelerating sharply
The power of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is added via elec-
tric motor (traction motor) to that of the gasoline engine.
■ When braking (Regenerative brake)
The electric motor (traction motor) charges the hybrid battery
(traction battery).
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■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop auto-
matically in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●During low or high hybrid battery (traction battery) temperature
■Charging the battery
●As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if the vehicle is
left parked for a long time the hybrid battery will slowly discharge. For this rea-
son, be sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30
minutes or 10 miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and
you are unable to jump-start the vehicle with the 12 volt battery, contact your
Lexus dealer.
●If the shift lever is in “N”, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. When driving in heavy traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift lever in
“D” or “S” to avoid discharging the battery.
■After the 12 volt battery has discharged or has been changed or removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
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■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able to
move. Always put the shift lever in “P” when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is operating,
and are not a malfunction.
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind the rear
seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the hybrid system starts or
stops.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard from the regenerative brake when you press the brake
pedal.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●You may hear cooling fan sounds coming from the air intake vents behind the
rear seat.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and disposal.
Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
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1-1. Hybrid system
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High voltage componentsTake care when handling the hybrid system, as it contains a high voltage
system (about 650V at maximu m) as well as parts that become
extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the caution
labels attached to the vehicle. Power control unit
Air conditioning compressor
Hybrid battery (Traction bat-
tery)
DC/DC converter
Service plug
Electric motor (Traction motor)
High voltage cables (orange
color)
Caution label
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