Lexus GS250 2014 Owner's Manual

2214-1. Before driving
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Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
CAUTION
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plasticmaterial of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical com-
ponents.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a place such
as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when luggage is loaded
or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
●Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place contain-
ers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard. Adhesive discs
or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a metal-
lized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause the glass to
act as a lens, causing a fire.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine and lock
the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the engine is running or immediately after
turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
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2224-1. Before driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift lever or
depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire due to engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a serious
health hazard.
■When braking
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause one side
of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.
●The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and the braking distance will increase. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.
■If the vehicle becomes stuck (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or the vehi-
cle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline components or propel
the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.
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2234-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving,
as this may restrain driving torque.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at
the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( →P. 577, 592)
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2244-1. Before driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause
the following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
transfer (AWD models), differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
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225
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4-1. Before driving
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions,
cargo capacity and load:
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the trunk
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly, may block
the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting the driver or passengers, possibly
causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in
or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the package tray
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
• In front of the Remote Touch screen
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
■Load and distribution
●Do not overload your vehicle.
●Do not apply loads unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.
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2264-1. Before driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Trailer towing (vehicles without towing package)
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus
also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a
tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, sc ooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is
not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted car-
riers.
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227
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4-1. Before driving
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Trailer towing (vehicles with towing package)
◆Weight limits
Check the allowable towing capacity, GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass),
MPAC (Maximum Permissible Axle Capacity), and permissible draw
bar load before towing. (
→P. 6 3 2 )
◆Towing hitch/bracket
Lexus recommends the use of the Lexus hitch/bracket for your vehicle.
Other products of a suitable nature and comparable quality may also
be used.
Your vehicle is designed primaril y as a passenger carrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer will have an adve rse effect on handling, performance,
braking, durability, and fuel consum ption. Your safety and satisfaction
depend on the proper use of correct equipment and cautious driving
habits. For your safety and the safety of others, do not overload the
vehicle or trailer.
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accor-
dance with the trailer’s character istics and operating conditions.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by
towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
Ask your local authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional for further details before towing,
as there are additional legal re quirements in some countries.
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2284-1. Before driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■Total trailer weight and permissible drawbar loadTotal trailer weight
Weight of the trailer itself plus the
trailer load should be within the
maximum towing capacity.
Exceeding this weight is danger-
ous. ( →P. 6 3 2 )
When towing a trailer, use a friction
coupler or friction stabilizer (sway
control device).
Permissible drawbar load
Allocate the trailer load so that the
drawbar load is greater than 25 kg
(55.1 lb.) or 4% of the towing
capacity. Do not let the drawbar
load exceed the indicated weight.
( → P. 6 3 2 )
Important points regarding trailer loads
1
2
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2294-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■Information tag (manufacturer’s label)Gross vehicle mass
The combined weight of the driver,
passengers, towing hitch, luggage,
total curb mass and drawbar load
should not exceed the gross vehi-
cle mass by more than 100 kg
(220.5 lb.). Exceeding this weight
is dangerous.
Maximum permissible rear
axle capacity
The weight borne by the rear axle
should not exceed the maximum
permissible axle capacity by 15%
or more. Exceeding this weight is
dangerous.
The values for towing capacity
were derived from testing con-
ducted at sea level. Take note that
engine output and towing capacity
will be reduced at high altitudes.
1
2
CAUTION
■When the gross vehicle mass limit or maximum permissible axle capacity is
exceeded
Do not exceed the established speed limit for towing a trailer in built-up areas or
100 km/h (62 mph), whichever is lower.
Failing to observe this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or serious
injury.
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2304-1. Before driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Installation positions for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball
436 mm (17.2 in.)
455 mm (17.9 in.)
454 mm (17.9 in.)
475 mm (18.7 in.)
476 mm (18.7 in.)500 mm (19.7 in.)
520 mm (20.5 in.)
543 mm (21.4 in.)
560 mm (22.0 in.)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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