stop start Lexus GS200t 2015 Owner's Guide

2434-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the doors until
the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this cir-
cumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and hold
the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion. ( →P. 5 0 3 )
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the engine off while driving will not cause lo ss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. Th is will make it more difficult to steer and
brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

2444-2. Driving procedures
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time without the engine running.
●If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-information display, the engine switch is
not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
●Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the engine is
stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will not be turned off but
instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY
mode, battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehicle checked
by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional immediately
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualif ied and equipped professional immediately.

245
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
Automatic transmission
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises
, set the shift lever in D for normal driving.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( → P. 2 4 8 )

2514-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to other than D
■To protect automatic transmission
When the temperature of the transmission fluid becomes high, protection control is per-
formed temporarily. When “Transmission Fluid Temp High See Owner’s Manual” is dis-
played on the multi-information display, ha ve the vehicle inspected by any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downsh ifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turned off after driving in
snow mode.
■When driving with cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or dynamic radar
cruise control with full-speed range activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.
●6-speed models: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 5 or 4.
( → P. 329, 341, 353)
●8-speed models: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
(→ P. 329, 341, 353)
●When switching th e driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. ( →P. 3 5 6 )
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual operation is performed, the engine output may be
restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D
includes M) with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display. ( →P. 5 1 8 )
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the vehicle is in reverse.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→ P. 5 8 5

257
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4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
Brake Hold (GS350/GS200t)
Turns the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the system is
holding the brake, the brake hold oper-
ated indicator (yellow) comes on.
■Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turn
ed on in the following conditions:
●The driver’s door is not closed.
●The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
●“EPB Activation Stopped Incompletely” or “Electronic Parking Brake Malfunction Visit
Your Dealer” is displayed on the multi-information display.
If any of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is enabled, the
system will turn off and the brake hold standby indicator light will go off. In addition, if any
of the conditions are detected while the sy stem is holding the brake, a warning buzzer
will sound and a message will be shown on th e multi-information display. The parking
brake will then be set automatically.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released for a period of about 3 minutes after the system has
started holding the brake, th e parking brake will be set automatically. In this case, a
warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information display.
●To turn the system off while the system is holding the brake, firmly depress the brake
pedal and press the button again.
●The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep incline.
In this situation, it may be necessary for the driver to apply the brakes. A warning
buzzer will sound and the multi-information di splay will inform the driver of this situa-
tion. ( →P. 5 1 8 )
The brake hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever is in D, M
or N with the system on and the brake pedal has been depressed to stop the
vehicle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator pedal is
depressed with the shift lever in D or M to allow smooth start off.

3354-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
Pressing the button changes the vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance as follows:Long
Medium
Short
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance is set
automatically to long mode when the
engine switch is turned to IGNITION
ON mode.
If a vehicle is running ahead of you, the pr eceding vehicle mark will also be displayed.
Select a distance from the table below. Note that the distances shown corre-
spond to a vehicle speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). Vehicle-to-vehicle distance
increases/decreases in accordance with vehicle speed. When the vehicle is
stopped by system control, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance will be about 3 m
(10 ft.) to 5 m (16 ft.) regardless of the vehicle-to-vehicle distance setting.
After the vehicle ahead of you starts off,
push the lever up.
Your vehicle will also resume follow-up
cruising if the accelerator pedal is
depressed after the vehicle ahead of
you starts off.
Changing the vehicle-to-vehicle distance (vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode)
Preceding
vehicle mark
1
2
3
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance setting s (vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol mode)
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 50 m (160 ft.)
MediumApproximately 40 m (130 f t.)
ShortApproximately 30 m (100 ft.)
Resuming follow-up cruising when th e vehicle has been stopped by sys-
tem control (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode)

3744-5. Using the driving support systems
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
Driving assist systems
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the 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
◆VSC+ (Vehicle Stability Control+)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRC, VSC and EPS. Helps to main-
tain directional stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by control-
ling steering performance.
◆TRC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
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 supplementary and should not be relied upon too
heavily when operating the vehicle.

3754-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
◆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 Suspension system) (if equipped)
By independently controlling the damping force of the shock absorbers for
each of the 4 wheels according to the road and driving conditions, this system
helps riding comfort with superior steering stability, and helps good vehicle
posture
When SPORT S+ mode is selected by the driving mode select switch, the
damping force is suitable for sporty driving ( →P. 3 5 7 )
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRC, VSC, hill-start
assist control and EPS systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, engine output, steering assist, and steering ratio
◆Emergency brake signal
When the brakes are applied suddenly, the stop lights automatically flash to
alert the vehicle behind
The slip indicator light will flash while
the TRC/VSC systems are operating.
When the TRC/VSC systems are operating

3774-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
■Turning off both TRC and VSC systems
XGS350/GS200t
To turn the TRC and VSC systems off, pres s and hold for more than 3 seconds while
the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on and the “Traction Control Turned Off” will be
shown on the multi-information display.
*
Press again to turn the systems back on.
XGS F
To turn the TRC and VSC systems off, press and hold for more than 3 seconds.
The “TRC OFF” indicator light and the VSC OFF indicator light will come on.
*
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 PC S (Pre-Crash Safety system) warning light
will come on and a message will be displa yed on the multi-information display.
( → P. 5 1 8 )
■Expert mode (GS F)
When expert mode is selected, it is possible to drive in a more sporty manner than other
drive modes. Expert mode disables the TRC and VSC systems but the engine and
brakes may be controlled depending on the vehicle behavior.
■When the message is displayed on the mult i-information display showing that TRC has
been disabled even if has not been pressed (GS350/GS200t)
TRC and hill-start assist control cannot be operated. Contact any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional. To select expert mode, press when in
SPORT S+ mode.
The “EXPERT” indicator will come on together
with the TRC OFF and VSC OFF indicators.
To cancel expert mode, press or use the
driving mode select swit ch to select a driving
mode other than SPORT S+ mode.

3784-5. Using the driving support systems
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
■When the “TRC OFF” indicator light comes on even if has not been pressed (GS F)
TRC and hill-start assist control cannot be operated. Contact any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, Hill-start assist control
and TRC systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the vehicle begins to
move. This sound does not indicate that a ma lfunction has occurred in any of these sys-
tems.
●Any of the following conditions may occu r 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.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slig htly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down s lightly after the ABS is activated.
■EPS 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 engine switch is turned off
●If only the TRC system is turned off, the TRC 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 steering
wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input
or stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The EPS system should return to normal
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.