wheel Lexus GS450h 2009 Owner's Guide

113
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●If the vinyl cover is put on the area where the SRS knee airbag will deploy, be sure
to remove it.
●Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts where the SRS side airbags
inflate as they may interfere with inflation of the airbags.
●Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS airbag
components shown on P. 104. Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunc-
tion.
●Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS airbags have
deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
●Do not attach anything to or lean anything
against areas such as the dashboard, steer-
ing wheel pad or lower portion of the
instrument panel. These items can become
projectiles when SRS driver, front passen-
ger and knee airbags deploy.
●Do not attach anything to areas such as the
door, windshield glass, side door glass,
front and rear pillars, roof side rail or assist
grip.
●Do not hang coat hangers or other hard
objects on the coat hooks. All of these
items could become projectiles and may
cause death or serious injury, should the
SRS curtain shield airbag deploy.
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1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbag has deployed, open a door or
window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
●If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel pad and
front pillar garnish, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by your Lexus
dealer.
●Do not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger’s seat. Doing so
will disperse the passenger’s weight, which prevents the sensor from detecting
the passenger’s weight properly. As a result, the SRS front passenger airbag may
not deploy in the event of a collision.
■Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications with-
out consulting your Lexus dealer. The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy
(inflate) accidentally, causing death or serious injury.
●Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags
●Repairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel, instrument
panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, side and rear pillars or roof side
rail
●Repairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the occupant
compartment
●Installation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars, kangaroo bar
etc.)
●Modifications to the vehicle’s suspension system
●Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios or CD players
●Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability
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142
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
2
When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to
hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly venti-
lated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a
serious health hazard.
■When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of
the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the brake actuator does not operate, do not follow other vehicles closely and
avoid downhill or sharp turns that require making.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the pedal than
usual. Braking distance may also increase.
●Do not pump the brake pedal if turning the hybrid system off.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
●The brake system consists of 3 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and braking distance becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.
■If the vehicle becomes stuck or bogged
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or stuck in
sand or mud, etc. This may damage the drive system components or propel the
vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident.
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2-1. Driving procedures
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
NOTICE
■While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals together
to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in “P”. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a long
time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Front brake only: Moderate levels of the brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced
front braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly than conventional
brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads, Lexus recommends that you
also have the thickness of the discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
that of the brake discs are exceeded.
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2-1. Driving procedures
2
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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2-1. Driving procedures
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
■If the hybrid system does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→P. 9 6 )
■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 7
■When the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→P. 5 1 9 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.
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193
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 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. 528) will not be activated, and a serious or fatal accident may
result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers 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 following conditions as the radar sensor may
not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and a serious or fatal 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
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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 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, and one in each corner of the bumper,
to detect obstacles in those areas.
The dual sensors detect obstacles ahead of the vehicle, and judge whether
avoidance maneuvers are necessary (whether the obstacle will come
within 0.8 ft. [25 cm] of the vehicle), 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.
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202
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am

Steering guide symbolDisplays the steering maneuvers 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 closer to the obstacle, the interval of
the beep becomes shorter.
● When the following obstacle distances 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 du al sensors in 2 places at once, or if
both rear corner sensors detect obstacles at the same time, the system
will sound a warning beep for the closer of the 2 obstacles.
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