steering wheel Lexus GS450h 2008 Using the audio system / LEXUS 2008 GS450H (OM30A96U) Owner's Guide

140
2-1. Driving procedures
GS_HV_U
May 13, 2008 3:11 pm
■If the hybrid system does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 88)
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■When the “POWER” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■If the “READY” light does not come on
If the “READY” light does not come on when you press the “POWER” switch with
the shift lever in “P” and the brake pedal pressed, contact your Lexus dealer imme-
diately.
■Auto power OFF function
If the vehicle is left in the ACCESSORY mode for more than an hour with the shift
lever in “P”, the “POWER” switch will automatically turn OFF.
■When the ambient temperature is low
Such as during winter driving conditions, it may take time until the “READY” light
comes on.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
 P. 2 5
■When the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 5 0 0
The green indicator light on the “POWER”
switch will flash and a message will be shown
on the multi-information display. Press the
“POWER” switch again while turning the
steering wheel left and right.

178
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am
CAUTION
■When the radar sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles are in
front of you. 
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles, the prox-
imity alarm ( P. 509) will not be activated, and an accident may result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (tra ilers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
■Conditions under which the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control may not function
correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the foll owing conditions as the radar sensor may
not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and an accident may result.
●When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the function-
ing of the sensor
●When your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the trunk, etc.)
●When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
●When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
●When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly

180
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am
Intuitive parking assist (if equipped)
Intuitive parking assist uses sensors in the front and rear of the vehicle to
detect the distance between the vehicle and any obstacles, and informs the
driver of this distance using the mult i-information display, the touch screen,
and warning beeps. 
The system may be used at speeds less than about 6 mph (10 km/h).
■ Sensor types
Dual sensors
There are 4 sensors installed in the front bumper, two in the center section
to detect obstacles directly ahead, an d one in each corner of the bumper,
to detect obstacles in those areas. 
The dual sensors detect obstacles ahea d of the vehicle, and judge whether
avoidance maneuvers are necessary (whether the obstacle will come
within 0.8 ft. [25 cm] of the vehicl e), according to the distance between
the obstacle and the vehicle, and the steering wheel position. The screen
display and beeps will change accordingly.
Rear corner sensors
These sensors detect obstacles around the rear corners of the vehicle.
Back sensors
These sensors detect obstacles behind the vehicle.

187
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am

Steering guide symbolDisplays the steering mane uvers required to avoid an obstacle. Move the
steering wheel in the direction shown by the arrow.
The steering guide symbol only
shows the maneuvers necessary to
avoid an obstacle.
When using the system, always
check your surroundings for
safety.
Beeps and obstacle distance
A beep sounds when an obstacle with which there is a danger of collision
is detected. As the vehicle moves clos er to the obstacle, the interval of
the beep becomes shorter.
● When the following obstacle distan ces are reached, the beep changes
from intermittent to continuous:
• If the distance to the obstacle detected by the dual sensors or rear corner
sensors is less than 0.8 ft. (25 cm).
• If the distance to the obstacle detected by the back sensors is less than 1.1
ft. (35 cm).
● If obstacles are detected by the dual sensors in 2 places at once, or if
both rear corner sensors detect obst acles at the same time, the system
will sound a warning beep for the closer of the 2 obstacles.

193
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am
■CertificationFor vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
For vehicles sold in Canada
CAUTION
■While driving
To reduce the chance of injury in the event of an accident or sudden stop, keep the
switch box closed.
■When using the intuitive parking assist
Observe the following precautions.
●The back sensors and rear corner sensors do not judge whether there is danger
of a collision, nor whether the obstacle can be avoided using the steering wheel.
When reversing, always check your surroundings and behind the vehicle for
safety.
●The steering guide symbol (arrow) is an approximate guide regarding obstacles.
It is not driving instructions. When movi ng forward or reversing, always check
your surroundings for safety and drive carefully.
●Do not install accessories within the sensors’ detection areas, as this may cause
the intuitive parking assist to function inco rrectly, possibly leading to an accident.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions;
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001.
Cet appareil ISM est conforme a la norme NMB-001 du Canada.

194
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am
NOTICE
■When using the intuitive parking assist
In the following situations, the system may not function correctly due to a sensor
malfunction etc. Have the vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
●A beep does not sound when you turn the main switch on.
●The intuitive parking assist operation display flashes, and a beep sound when no
obstacle has been detected.
●If the area around a sensor collides with something, or is subjected to strong
impact.
●If the bumper collides with something.
●If the display shows continuously without a beep.
■When changing tires
If you install tires of a size other than that recommended by the manufacturer, the
system will be unable to correctly detect steering wheel movement. Always use tire
sizes recommended by the manufacturer.
■When washing the vehicle
When washing the vehicle using high pressure cleaning equipment, do not spray
water directly on the sensors. Subjecting the sensors to high pressure impact may
cause a malfunction.

200
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■ Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding wh en swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at maxi-
mum.
■ EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■Active stabilizer suspension system (if equipped)
Turns at smaller angles to main tain the stable vehicle posture.

201
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am
When the VSC/TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, rolling backwards when
starting on an incli ne, or if the rear
wheels spin, the slip indicator light
flashes to indicate that the VSC/
TRAC/hill-start assist control sys-
tems have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC is operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-start
assist control system is operating.
The slip indicator light flashes as
well when ABS is operating.
■ PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
 P. 2 0 6
■VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering)
Adjusts the wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed and
steering wheel movement.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the AB S, VSC, TRAC, hill-start assist con-
trol, VGRS and EPS systems. 
Maintains vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, hybrid output, and the movement of the front
wheels.

204
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U
January 4, 2008 10:02 am
■Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating when
there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering wheel
may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input or
stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off. The system should return to normal
about 10 minutes.
■VGRS is disabled in the following situations
●During stopping or the steering wheel has been moved for a long time while
driving at lower speeds.
●After the hybrid system is restarted at less than -22°F (-30°C).
CAUTION
Any of the following conditions may result in an accident which could cause death or
serious injury:
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded.
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick road.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating will exceed that of normal condi-
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping dist ance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situations.
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven roads
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be ac hievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC is operating. 
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

305
3-3. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
GS_HV_U
December 13, 2007 10:50 am
Selecting a disc in the CD or DVD playerPress to select the CD or DVD mode.
Press and hold  or  on until you hear a beep.
■Canceling automatic selection of a radio station
Push the same switch.
CAUTION
■To reduce the risk of an accident
Exercise care when operating the audio switches on the steering wheel.
STEP1
STEP2