transmission Lexus GS300 2006 Starting and Driving

SECTION 3 – 1
339
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three−way catalytic converters340 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution341 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating the engine switch342 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake352 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission353 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system364 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intuitive parking assist365 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear view monitor system388 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control392 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dynamic radar cruise control395 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adaptive variable suspension system417 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system418 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle stability control system420 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hill−start assist control system422 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Variable gear ratio steering system424 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle dynamics integrated management426 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system427 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators431 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electric power steering system432 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system433 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pre−collision system443 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARTING AND DRIVING
342
To allow proper operation of your vehicle’s
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with
the windows open and the trunk lid closed. Have the
cause immediately located and corrected.OPERATING THE ENGINE SWITCH
G31030

1
Electronic key 2
Engine switch
3
Automatic transmission selector lever
4
Brake pedal

STARTING AND DRIVING
345 “ACC” mode
G31033
This mode allows some accessories to be operable such
as the radio, even if the engine is not running. An amber
indicator light turns on at the engine switch.
To select the “ACC” mode from “OFF” mode, push the engine
switch once without depressing the brake pedal. The engine
immobilizer is disabled and the security indicator light goes
out. (For details, see “Engine immobilizer” on page 11.)
If you cycle once through all the modes (“OFF”, “ACC”,
“IG−ON”) with the driver’s door closed, the second time you
select the “ACC” mode, the above message will appear for a
few seconds.
If the vehicle is left in “ACC” mode for about an hour, the engine
switch is automatically off.
If the driver’s door is opened with the transmission in “P”, a
buzzer will remind you in “ACC” mode.“IG−ON” mode
G31034
“IG−ON” mode has two conditions: all gauges, meters
and accessories on and the engine is not running, or
engine running.
To select the “IG−ON” mode while the engine is not running:
From “OFF” mode—push the engine switch twice without
depressing the brake pedal.
From “ACC” mode—push the engine switch once without
depressing the brake pedal.
The engine switch indicator light will be illuminated amber if the
engine is not running, and will turn off when the engine is
running.

STARTING AND DRIVING
346If you push the engine switch while the brake pedal is
depressed with the transmission not in “P” or “N”, “IG−ON”
mode is selected with the engine not running.
It is not a malfunction if the needles on all meters and gauges
move slightly when selected in “IG−ON” mode.
NOTICE
Do not leave the engine switch in “IG−ON” mode while
the engine is not running. The battery will be
discharged.
“OFF” mode
G31032
This mode turns the engine and all accessories off.
To select the “OFF” mode from “IG−ON” mode:
If the engine is not running, push the engine switch once
while the brake pedal is not depressed.
If the engine is running, push the engine switch once
regardless of brake pedal position while the vehicle is
completely stopped.
To select the “OFF” mode from “ACC” mode, push the engine
switch twice while the brake pedal is not depressed.
The engine immobilizer is automatically set, the security
indicator light blinks and the engine switch indicator light is
turned off. (For details, see “Engine immobilizer” on page 11.)
The steering wheel can be locked only in this mode.

STARTING AND DRIVING
350
Starting the engine
Normal starting procedure
G31035
When depressing the brake pedal while carrying an
electronic key, make sure the green engine switch
indicator light comes on. And then push the engine
switch to start the engine.
If you press the engine switch while the brake pedal is
depressed and the transmission is in “P” or “N”, the engine will
start even if initially in “OFF”, “ACC” or “IG−ON” mode.
If you start the engine in “OFF” mode, the engine immobilizer
is disabled, and the security indicator light goes off.
If you push the engine switch while the brake pedal is
depressed with the transmission not in “P” or “N”, “IG−ON”
mode will be selected with the engine not running.If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See ”If your vehicle will not start” on page 462.
NOTICE
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
351
Stopping the engine
G31036
If you press the engine switch while the selector lever is
in “P” and the engine is running, regardless of brake pedal
position, the engine will be turned off.
With the transmission not in “P”, the engine switch is selected
in “ACC” mode.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, press the engine switch for more than 3
seconds. At this time, “ACC” mode is selected.
Several hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear a
sound coming from underneath the luggage compartment for
several minutes. This is normal operation and does not
indicate a malfunction. (See page v.)
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury or an accident, observe
the following precautions.
Turn off the engine, only when the vehicle is
completely stopped.
When you leave the vehicle, the selector lever must
be in “P” and the parking brake must be applied, or
the vehicle may suddenly move.

STARTING AND DRIVING
353
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the engine switch in
“IG−ON” mode. ()
G31021

The shift position or shift range position is displayed
on the instrument cluster.
P:Parking and engine starting
R:Reverse position
N:Neutral position
D:Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive
possible)
S:“S” mode driving
+:Upshifting
–:Downshifting

STARTING AND DRIVING
354Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Driving in “S” mode
(c) Using engine braking
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(a) Normal driving
G31022

1
“P” (Park) position 2
“N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “Operating the engine
switch” on page 342.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N” position. The engine will
not start in any drive position even if engine switch is pushed
while the brake pedal is depressed.

STARTING AND DRIVING
355
G31023

1
Power position 2
Normal position
3
Snow position
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the normal
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select power, normal or snow mode to suit your
driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends
that you use the normal mode to improve fuel economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use
the power position.
In the power mode, the “ECT PWR” light in the instrument
cluster is on and the most suitable shift pattern is selected
depending on the driver’s operation of accelerator and brake
pedal and on the vehicle condition. See “Automatic shifting
point change control” on page 356.
For snow mode, see “Electronic Throttle Control System”
on page 364.
G31024

1
Brake pedal 2
“D” (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the “D” position. (See “(c) Using engine braking” and “(f)
Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.

STARTING AND DRIVING
3565. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see “(c) Using engine braking”.AI (Artificial Intelligence) shifting control
AI shifting control selects the most suitable shift range
automatically according to the driver’s operation and
driving condition.
AI shifting control operates automatically with the
selector lever in the “D” position. When the lever is moved
to the “S” position, this function will be canceled.
Shifting control on the slope: On inclines, you can drive
smoothly with reduced shifting quantity. On declines, the
vehicle will shift down automatically to obtain optimum engine
braking and reduce the driver’s foot braking load.
Automatic shifting point change control: The automatic
shifting point control is controlled in the following way to
respond to the driver’s operation.
When the accelerator is depressed quickly, the vehicle
downshifts rapidly in order to improve acceleration.
When the accelerator is quickly released, the gear position
is maintained in order to improve engine braking and
reacceleration capabilities.
During hard deceleration the vehicle downshifts rapidly in
order to improve engine braking and reacceleration
capabilities.