engine Lexus GS450h 2009 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: LEXUS, Model Year: 2009, Model line: GS450h, Model: Lexus GS450h 2009Pages: 622
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GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior................... 420
Cleaning and protecting  the vehicle interior .................... 423
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .....  426
General maintenance ................ 428
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) 
programs .......................................  431
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions .................. 432
Hood.................................................. 435
Positioning a floor jack ............... 436
Engine compartment.................  438
Tires ................................................... 452
Tire inflation pressure.................  462
Wheels..............................................  467
Air conditioning filter.................. 469
Electronic key battery ................  472
Checking and  replacing fuses ...........................  474
Headlight aim ...............................  489
Light bulbs ....................................... 492 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ...................  500
If your vehicle needs to be towed ...................................  501
If you think something is  wrong ............................................. 507
Event data recorder...................  508
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds... .....  510
If a warning message is  displayed ........................................  519
If you have a flat tire (Vehicles  with standard tires) ................... 536
If you have a flat tire (Vehicles  with run-flat tires) ...................... 546
If the hybrid system  will not start ..................................  547
If the shift lever cannot be  shifted from “P” .........................  548
If you lose your keys .................... 549
If the electronic key does not  operate properly ......................  550
If the 12 volt battery is  discharged ..................................  553
If your vehicle overheats ........... 557
If the vehicle becomes  stuck...............................................  560
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises
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GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
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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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■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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1-1. Hybrid system
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■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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1-1. Hybrid system
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Before driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■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
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
To u c h  s c r e e nMulti-information display
When the vehicle is 
powered by the elec-
tric motor (traction 
motor)
When the vehicle is 
powered by the 
gasoline engine
When the vehicle is 
powered by both the 
gasoline engine and the 
electric motor (traction 
motor)
When the vehicle is 
charging the hybrid 
battery (traction 
battery)
When there is no 
energy flow
Hybrid battery 
(traction battery) statusLowFullLowFull
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2-1. Driving procedures
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■When starting on an incline
The hill-start assist control may operate. (→P.  2 1 4 )
■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 battery) 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.
■Normal characteristics after  turning off the hybrid system
Approximately five hours after the hybrid system is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is because the fuel evapo-
ration leakage check is performed. It does not indicate a malfunction.
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2-1. Driving procedures
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not shift the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake not to operate properly and lead to an
accident.
●Do not turn the hybrid system off while driving. 
The power steering and brake actuator will not operate properly if the hybrid sys-
tem is off.
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. (→P.  1 5 4 )
●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing an accident.
●Be careful when driving on slippery surfaces, as the vehicle may spin or skid when
downshifting, rapidly accelerating, braking or turning.
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents that may
result in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are
not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
●The driver should pay attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is powered only
by the electric motor (traction motor). Because there is no engine sounds, the
pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
●Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-shifting
or down-shifting, may 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
functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in an accident.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the hybrid system.
If the vehicle is in any positions other than “P” or “N” the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long time. 
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the hybrid system is operating to
prevent an accident caused by the vehicle moving.
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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
NOTICE
■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 press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( →P.  5 3 9 )
■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 your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
differentials, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
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