Lexus GS450h 2017 Owner's Manual
Manufacturer: LEXUS, Model Year: 2017, Model line: GS450h, Model: Lexus GS450h 2017Pages: 600, PDF Size: 149.98 MB
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The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert functions when your vehicle is in reverse. It can 
detect other vehicles approaching from the ri ght or left rear of the vehicle. It uses 
radar sensors to alert the driver of the other vehicle’s existence through flashing 
the outside rear view mirror in dicators and sounding a buzzer.
The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function
Approaching vehicles Detection areas
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the system 
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to observe your surroundings. 
The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function is only an assist and is not a replacement for careful driving. The driver mu st be careful when backing up, even when using the Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function. The driver’s  own visual confirmation of behind you and 
your vehicle is necessary and be sure there are no pedestrians, other vehicles etc. before backing up. Failure to do so could cause death or serious injury. 
According to conditions, the system may no t function correctly. Therefore the driver’s 
own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.
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The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below. 
To give the driver a more consistent time to react, the buzzer can alert for faster 
vehicles from farther away. 
Example:
■The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function is operational when
●The BSM function is turned on.
●The shift lever is in R.
●Vehicle speed is less than approximately 8 km/h (5 mph).
●Approaching vehicle speed is between appr oximately 8 km/h (5 mph) and 28 km/h (18 mph).
The Rear Crossing Traffic Al ert function detection areas
Approaching vehicleSpeedApproximate  alert distance
Fast28 km/h (18 mph)20 m (65 ft.)
Slow8 km/h (5 mph)5.5 m (18 ft.)
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■Conditions under which the Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function will not detect a vehi- cle 
The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function is not designed to detect the following types of 
vehicles and/or objects.
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.*
●Vehicles approaching from directly behind
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehi cles and similar stationary objects*
●Vehicles moving away from your vehicle
●Vehicles approaching from the parking spaces next to your vehicle*
●Vehicles backing up in the parking space next to your vehicle* 
*: Depending on conditions, detection of  a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■Conditions under which the Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function may not function cor- rectly 
The Rear Crossing Traffic Alert function may  not detect vehicles correctly in the follow- ing conditions:
●During bad weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow etc.
●When ice or mud etc. is attached to the rear bumper
●When multiple vehicles  approach continuously
●Shallow angle parking
●When a vehicle is approaching at high speed
●When parking on a steep incline, such as hills, a dip in the road etc.
●Directly after the BSM function is turned on
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer (vehicles with towing package)
●When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehicle
●Directly after the hybrid system is started with the BSM function is turned on
●When the sensors cannot detect vehicles 
because of obstacles 
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Driving assist systems
◆ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)  
The electronically controlled system generates braking force corresponding 
to the brake operation
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) 
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the br akes 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
◆TRC (Traction Control) 
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spinning 
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering) (if equipped) 
Adjusts the front wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed 
and steering wheel movement
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems oper- 
ate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware, however, 
that these systems are suppl ementary and should not be relied upon too heav- 
ily when operating the vehicle.  
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◆DRS (Dynamic Rear Steering) (if equipped) 
Contributes to the turning characteristics and responsiveness of the vehicle 
by slightly adjusting the rear wheel angle of the vehicle in accordance with 
steering wheel movement
◆Hill-start assist control 
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an 
incline.
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)  
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn the 
steering wheel 
◆AVS (Adaptive Variable Susp ension system) (if equipped) 
By independently controlling the damp ing force of the shock absorbers for 
each of the 4 wheels according to the road and driving conditions, this system 
helps riding comfort with a high level of stability, and helps good vehicle pos- 
ture 
When SPORT S+ mode is selected by  the driving mode select switch, the 
damping force is suitable for sporty driving ( P. 312)
◆LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handling system) (if equipped) 
Provides independent control of the VGRS, DRS and EPS. Contributes to 
turning characteristics at low speeds, responsiveness at medium speeds and 
safety at high speeds by controlling the steering angle of the front and rear 
wheels in accordance with the steering wheel operation and vehicle speed
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) 
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRC, VSC, hill-start 
assist control, EPS, VGRS (if equipped) and DRS (if equipped) systems 
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by 
controlling the brakes, hybrid system output, steering assist, steering ratio and 
rear wheel angle
◆Emergency brake signal 
When the brakes are applie d suddenly, the stop lights automatically flash to 
alert the vehicle behind 
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The slip indicator light will flash while 
the TRC/VSC/ABS systems are oper- 
ating. 
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt  or snow, the TRC system may reduce power 
from the hybrid system to the wheels. Pressing   to turn the system off may 
make it easier for rock the vehicle in order to free it. 
To turn the TRC system off, quickly 
press and release  .
The “Traction Control Turned Off” will be shown on the multi-information dis-play.  
Press   again to turn the system back 
on.
When the TRC/VSC/ABS sy stems are operating
Disabling the TRC system 
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■Turning off both TRC and VSC systems 
To turn the TRC and VSC systems off, press and hold   for more than 3 seconds while the vehicle is stopped. 
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on an d the “Traction Control Turned Off” will 
be shown on the multi-information display.*
Press   again to turn the systems back on.
*: On vehicles with PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system), pre-crash brake assist and pre- 
crash braking will also be disabled. The  PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system) warning 
light will come on and a message will be di splayed on the multi-information display.  
( P. 466)
■When the message is displayed on the multi-information display showing that TRC has 
been disabled even if   has not been pressed 
TRC and hill-start assist control cannot be  operated. Contact any authorized Lexus 
retailer or Lexus authorized repa irer, or any reliable repairer.
■VGRS is disabled when 
VGRS may stop operating in  the following situations. 
In this event, the steering wheel may move fr om its straight forward position, but it will return when the system restarts.
●The steering wheel is operated for an extended period of time while the vehicle is 
stopped or is moving very slowly.
●When force is continuously applied for a long  time with the steering wheel turned as far as it will go. 
The center position of the steering wheel may change when VGRS is disabled. How- ever, the position will return to  normal after VGRS is reactivated.
■When the 12-volt battery is disconnected 
The steering wheel may move from its straight  forward position, but this will be corrected automatically when driving. 
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■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, Hill-start assist control, TRC and VGRS systems 
Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating. None 
of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
●Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
●A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
■ECB operation sound 
ECB operating sound may be heard in the follow ing cases, but it does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is oper-ated.
●Motor sounds of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle when the 
driver’s door is opened.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or two minutes passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■EPS, VGRS and DRS operation sound 
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Automatic reactivation of TRC and VSC systems 
After turning the TRC and VSC systems off,  the systems will be automatically re-enabled in the following situations:
●When the power switch is turned off
●If only the TRC system is turned off, the TR C will turn on when vehicle speed increases If both TRC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will not occur when 
vehicle speed increases.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system 
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steeringwheel 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 EPS system should return to nor- mal within 10 minutes.
■Operating conditions of  hill-start assist control 
When the following four conditions are met,  the hill-start assist control will operate;
●The shift lever is in a position other than N or P (when starting off forward/backward on an upward incline).
●The vehicle is stopped.
●The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●The parking brake is not engaged. 
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■Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control 
The hill-start assist control will be canc eled in any of the following situations;
●The shift lever is shifted to N or P.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed.
●The parking brake is engaged.
●Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.
■Operating conditions of emergency brake signal 
When the following three conditions are me t, the emergency brake signal will operate:
●The emergency flashers are off.
●Actual vehicle speed is over 55 km/h (35 mph).
●The brake pedal is depressed in a manner that cause the system to judge from the vehi- cle deceleration that this is a sudden braking operation.
■Automatic system cancelation of emergency brake signal 
The emergency brake signal will turn of f in any of the following situations:
●The emergency flashers are turned on.
●The brake pedal is released.
●The system judges from the vehicle deceleration that is not a sudden braking operation.
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as excessively 
worn tires on a snow covered road).
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at  high speed on wet or slick roads.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal conditions 
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of  you, especially 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 uneven surfaces
■TRC may not operate effectively when 
Directional control and power may not be  achievable while driving on slippery road surfaces, even if the TRC system is operating.  
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions  where stability and power may be lost.
■Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
●Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control may not 
operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
●Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist co ntrol is not intended to hold the vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use hill-start assist con- 
trol to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may lead to an accident. 
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WARNING
■When the VSC is activated 
The slip indicator light flashes. Always  drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■When the TRC/VSC systems are turned off 
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn the TRC/ 
VSC systems off unless necessary.
■Replacing tires 
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and total load 
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire infla- tion pressure level. 
The ABS, TRC and VSC systems will not function  correctly if different tires are installed 
on the vehicle. Contact any authorized Lexus retailer or  Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and the suspension 
Using tires with any kind of problem or modi fying the suspension will affect the driving assist systems, and may cause  a system to malfunction.