Lexus GS250 2012 Owner's Manual

2074-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)transmission in D. Transmission shift gear position must be in
“4” in the M mode.
(P. 218)

2084-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures
exceeding 30C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If
the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheating, turn the air conditioning off immediately, leave the
road and stop the vehicle in a safe place. (P. 829)
When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle
and trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever
to P.
CAUTION
To avoid accident or injury
Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehi-
cle.
Do not tow the vehicle when the tire installed is repaired with the emer-
gency tire puncture repair kit.
Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while
descending steep or long downhill grades.
Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake overheating or reduce braking effects.
NOTICE
For vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit (if equipped)
Do not tow anything if a tire that has been repaired using the emergency tire
puncture repair kit is installed. The load on the tire may cause unexpected
damage to the tire.

207
4 4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Engine (ignition) switch
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch.
The engine will crank until it starts
or for up to 30 seconds, whichever
is less.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is com-
pletely started.
The engine can be started from any
engine switch mode.
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic
key on your person starts the engine or changes engine switch
modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4

2084-2. Driving procedures
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (P. 225)
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “POWER ON” on the
multi-information display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is
pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
The multi-information display will
not be displayed.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position
other than P when turning off the
engine, the engine switch will be
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4
5

2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
turned to ACCESSORY mode, not
to off.

2104-2. Driving procedures
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than
P, the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” are displayed
alternately on the multi-information display and then press the
engine switch once.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-
information display are off.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position
other than P
1
2
3
4

2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or
IGNITION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with
the shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However,
this function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehi-
cle with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long
periods of time when the engine is not running.
Electronic key battery depletion
P. 1 3 4
Conditions affecting operation
P. 1 3 0
Notes for the entry function
P. 1 3 1
If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 8 0 )
Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional.
Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P position to Start” will be dis-
played on the multi-information display.
Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.

2124-2. Driving procedures
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
When the steering lock cannot be released
Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time.
In this case, refrain from operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the
steering lock motor will resume functioning.
When “Check Entry & Start System” will be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional immediately.
If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 8 1 5
Operation of the engine switch
When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the engine switch
mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.
If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated in a customized setting
P. 8 2 1 “Steering Lock active” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the engine switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.

2134-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
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 circumstance 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 succession. (P. 739)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering
or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This
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.

2144-2. Driving procedures
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
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 vehi-
cle 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 vehi-
cle 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 qualified and
equipped professional immediately.