traction Lexus GS450h 2013 User Guide

781-2. Hybrid system
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
CAUTION
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
●Your vehicle contains a sealed nickel-metal hydride battery. Never resell, hand
over or modify the hybrid battery. To prevent accidents, hybrid batteries that have
been removed from a disposed vehicle are collected through Lexus dealer. Do
not dispose of the battery yourself.
Unless the battery is properly collected, the following may occur, resulting in
death or serious injury:
• The hybrid battery may be illegally disposed of or dumped, and it is hazardous
to the environment or someone may touch a high voltage part, resulting in an
electric shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to be used exclusively with your hybrid vehicle. If the hybrid battery is used outside of your vehicle or modified in any way,
accidents such as electric shock, heat generation, smoke generation, an
explosion and electrolyte leakage may occur.
When reselling or handing over your vehicle, the possibility of an accident is
extremely high because the person receiving the vehicle may not be aware of
these dangers.
●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
connectors are touched. In the event that your vehicle must be disposed of, the
hybrid battery must be disposed of by your Lexus dealer or a qualified service
shop. If the hybrid battery is not disposed of properly, it may cause electric shock
that can result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery air vents
●Do not put foreign objects near the air vents. The hybrid battery (traction battery)
may overheat and be damaged.
●Clean the air vents regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery) from
overheating.
●Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vents as this may cause a
short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).
●Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the vehicle. If
water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may be dam-
aged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
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2. Instrument cluster
These images are examples only, and may vary slightly from actual conditions.
Remote Touch screenMulti-information display
When the vehicle is pow-
ered by the electric motor
(traction motor)
When the vehicle is pow-
ered by both the gasoline
engine and the electric
motor (traction motor)
When the vehicle is pow-
ered by the gasoline engine
When the vehicle is charg-
ing the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery)
When there is no energy
flow
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) status
LowFullLowFull
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GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
4-1. Before driving
■Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system. This type of brake system
needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake
shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding
down operation.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the
correct fuel. (→P. 7 9 2 )
■For efficient use
●Shift the shift lever to D when driving.
In the N position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be generated.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, requiring unnecessary engine
power to recharge.
●Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and decelera-
tion will make more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) without hav-
ing 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.
●Shift the shift lever to 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 time may dis-
charge the hybrid battery (traction battery). The vehicle cannot run if the hybrid
battery (traction battery) is discharged.
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1754-1. Before driving
4
Driving
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the hybrid system
operating. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal willresult in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals prop-
erly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.
●The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is powered
only by the electric motor (traction motor). Because there is no engine noise, the
pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
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4-2. Driving procedures
EV drive mode
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
“EV MODE” will be displayed on the
multi-information display. Pressing the
switch when in EV drive mode will
return the vehicle to normal driving
(using the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it cannot
be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32
°F (0°C) for a long
period of time etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
( → P. 1 1 0 )
●Vehicle speed is about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
In EV drive mode the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in re sidential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor pa rking lots etc. without concern for
noises and gas emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity notification system is active, the
vehicle may produce sound.
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1974-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine
will start automatically in order to warm up. In this case, you will become unable to
switch to EV drive mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the
following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound and the
EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
( → P. 1 1 0 )
●Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a prior
notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
■Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters to
approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). Driving is possible at speeds of less than approxi-
mately 25 mph (40 km/h). However, depending on vehicle conditions, there are sit-
uations when EV drive mode cannot be used.
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level
and driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
Your Lexus is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy. To prevent gasoline engine warm up in order
to reduce noises, start the hybrid system with-
out starting the gasoline engine, pressing the
power switch with fully depressing the brake
pedal and pressing the EV drive mode switch.
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4-2. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehi-
cle skidding to the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged
even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever
in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge,
and this may result in the vehicle not being able to start.
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GS450h_U (OM30D01U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Driving assist systems
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when th e 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 when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
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.
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6216-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
■Caring for leather areas
Lexus recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year to main-
tain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
■Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a sponge or
brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not use water. Wipe dirty sur-
faces and let them dry. Excellent results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as
possible.
■Seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also check the
belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
■When cleaning the carpeted portions of the glove box, console box, etc.
If a strong adhesive tape is used, there is a possibility that the surface of the carpet
could be damaged.
CAUTION
■Wa t e r i n t h e v e h i c l e
●Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle, such as on the floor, in the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) air vents, and in the trunk.
Doing so may cause the hybrid battery, electrical components, etc. to malfunc-
tion or catch fire.
●Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet.
(→ P. 4 0 )
An electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function prop-
erly, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect off the
windshield, obstructing the driver’s view and leading to an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.
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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Low profile tires (except 225/50R17 tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip performance will be
reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to standard tires. Be sure to use
snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or icy roads and drive carefully at a speed
appropriate for road and weather conditions.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replacement tire is greater than 1 /2 of the
Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, which-
ever is greater.
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driving
under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction perfor-
mance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered or
icy roads. For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is
recommended. When installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be ade-
quate for driving in most winter conditions as well as for use year-round. All season
tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance compared with snow
tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration and han-
dling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires.
If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capacity
as the originally installed tires. Since your vehicle has radial tires as original equip-
ment, make sure your snow tires also have radial construction. Do not install stud-
ded tires without first checking local regulations for possible restrictions. Snow
tires should be installed on all wheels. (→P. 3 1 9 )
For the GAWR, see the Certification Label.
For the maximum load of the tire, see the load
limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure
mentioned on the sidewall of the tire.
(
→ P. 7 9 5 )
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