light Lexus GS300 2006 Starting and Driving

STARTING AND DRIVING
365 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.
To return to the normal mode, push the driving pattern selector
switch lightly on the “SNOW” side.
Snow mode: For slippery road surfaces such as in snow. In
this mode, the spinning of the rear wheels is controlled
appropriately.
When you push the driving pattern selector switch on the
“SNOW” side, the snow mode is turned on and the ”ECT
SNOW” light in the instrument cluster comes on.
To return to the normal mode, push the driving pattern selector
switch on the “SNOW” side again.
When you turn the engine switch off in the snow mode, the
electronic throttle control system automatically changes to the
normal mode.
INTUITIVE PARKING ASSIST
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The intuitive parking assist is a warning system used
when parking the vehicle at low speed (e.g. into a garage).
It uses an ultrasonic sensor, which checks the
approximate distance to an obstacle. It will inform you of
the approximate distance to an obstacle by displaying
information on the multi−information display and the
screen, and with beeping sounds.

STARTING AND DRIVING
366
1
Dual sensors
There are four of these steering guidance sensors installed in
the front bumper.
Steering guidance means that when an obstacle is inspected,
not only is the distance estimated, this function judges whether
collision with the obstacle within detection range is avoidable
if the vehicle is steered in a certain direction, and informs the
driver. There will be no warning if it judges that there is no
possibility of collision with the obstacle within detection range.
(See page 369.)
2
Rear corner sensors
There is one of these installed on each corner of the rear
bumper, they inspect obstacles and will sound a warning
depending on the distance to the obstacle. (See page 373.)
3
Back sensors
There are two of these installed near the center of the rear
bumper, they inspect obstacles and will sound a warning
depending on the distance to the obstacle. (See page 374.)
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To use the intuitive parking assist, push the main switch
in the switch box with the engine switch in “IG−ON” mode.
Pushing the main switch again will turn the intuitive
parking assist off.
When you push the main switch, the indicator light in the
instrument cluster comes on and a beep sounds for one
second, indicating that the intuitive parking assist is turned on.
The intuitive parking assist will remain on even after turning the
engine switch to “OFF” and then to “IG−ON” mode with the
main switch on. However, a beep does not sound at this time.
If an error is detected in the intuitive parking assist while
self−checking, beeps sound and a warning appears in the
multi−information display and on the screen. For details, see
“Intuitive parking assist failure warning” on page 378.

STARTING AND DRIVING
379 When snowflakes or mud gets on the sensors
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1
Multi−information display 2
Screen
If foreign matter gets on the sensors and the intuitive
parking assist cannot detect the object properly, the
above message appears. At this time, the vehicle symbol
and the indicator bars corresponding to the faulty
sensors flash for about 7 seconds and 2 beeps sound 5
times.
After about 7 seconds, the sensor indicator bars will
cease flashing, however will stay lit until the affected
sensor is cleaned. Furthermore, the vehicle symbol will
continue to flash until the affected sensor is cleaned.
The above illustration shows the sensor on the left front of the
vehicle malfunctioning.
If the failure warning does not go off even after the foreign
matter is removed, the intuitive parking assist may be
malfunctioning. Have it checked by your Lexus dealer.When the sensor is malfunctioning
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1
Multi−information display 2
Screen
If the sensor cable is broken and the intuitive parking
assist cannot detect the object properly, the above
message appears. At this time, the indicator bars
corresponding to the faulty sensor flash for about 7
seconds and 2 beeps sound 5 times.
The indicator bars continue lighting after flashing.
The above illustration shows the sensor on the right rear of the
vehicle malfunctioning.
If this message appears, have the sensor checked by your
Lexus dealer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
391 REAR VIEW MONITOR SYSTEM CAMERA
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The rear view monitor system camera is located on the trunk
as shown in the illustration. The camera uses a special lens.
The distance of the image that appears on the screen differs
from the actual distance.
In the following cases, it may become difficult to see the images
on the screen, even when the system is functioning.
In the dark (for example, at night)
When the temperature near the lens is extremely high or low
When water droplets are adhering to the camera, or when
humidity is high (for example, when it rains)
When foreign matter (for example, snow or mud) adheres
to the camera lens
When the sun or the beam of headlights is shining directly
into the camera lens
31L357
Check surroundings for safety.
If a bright light (for example, sunlight reflected off the vehicle
body) is picked up by the camera, the smear effect* peculiar
to the camera may occur.
*: Smear effect — A phenomenon that occurs when a bright
light (for example, sunlight reflected off the vehicle body) is
picked up by the camera; when transmitted by the camera, the
light source appears to have a vertical streak above and below
it.

STARTING AND DRIVING
392
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle at a
desired speed over 40 km/h (25 mph) with your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or down a gradient, within
the limits of engine performance. On steeper hills, a great
speed change will occur so it is better to drive without the cruise
control.
When the cruise control is on, the driving pattern of the
automatic transmission is fixed in the normal mode, regardless
of the position of the selector switch.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snow−covered) or winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.
Turning the system on
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To operate the cruise control, push the “ON−OFF” button. This
turns the system on. The indicator light in the instrument
cluster shows that you can now set your desired cruising
speed. Another push on the button will turn the system
completely off.
When the engine switch is turned off, the “ON−OFF” button is
also automatically turned off. To use the cruise control again,
push the “ON−OFF” button again to turn it on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep
the “ON−OFF” button off when not using the cruise
control.

STARTING AND DRIVING
393
Setting operation
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Each function is described below.
1
Setting at a desired speed.
The transmission must be in the “D” position, or the shift range
position must be “4” (fourth range), “5” (fifth range) or “6” (sixth
range) in the “S” mode before you set the cruise control speed.
Bring the vehicle to the desired speed, press the control lever
downward in the “– SET” direction and release it. This sets the
vehicle at that speed. Now you may take your foot off the
accelerator pedal. If you need acceleration − for example,
when passing − depress the accelerator pedal enough for the
vehicle to exceed the set speed. When you release the
accelerator pedal, the vehicle will return to the speed set prior
to the acceleration.
2
Cancelling the preset speed
You can cancel the preset speed by doing any of the following:
a. Pulling the control lever in the ”CANCEL” direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.
c. Pushing the “ON−OFF” button.
If the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the
preset speed will be automatically cancelled.
If the vehicle speed drops 16 km/h (10 mph) below the preset
speed, the preset speed will also automatically be cancelled.
If the slip indicator light blinks and a warning tone sounds, the
preset speed will be automatically cancelled.
If the preset speed automatically cancels out for other than the
above reasons, do not operate the cruise control. Although it
is no problem to continue driving, have your vehicle checked
by your Lexus dealer at the earliest opportunity.
3
Resetting to a faster speed
Press the control lever upward in the “+ RES” direction and
hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed is attained.
While the lever is held upward, the vehicle will gradually gain
speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be
increased 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control
lever upward in the “+ RES” direction quickly within 0.6
seconds.

STARTING AND DRIVING
394However, a quicker way to reset is to accelerate the vehicle
and then press the control lever downward in the “– SET”
direction.
4
Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the “– SET” direction and
hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed is attained.
While the lever is held downward, the vehicle speed will
gradually decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be
lowered 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control
lever downward in the “– SET” direction quickly within 0.6
seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake pedal
and then press the control lever downward in the “– SET”
direction.
With the cruise control on, even if you downshift the
transmission from the “D” position or “6” (sixth range) to the “5”
(fifth range), or from the “D” position or “5” (fifth range) to the
“4” (fourth range), engine braking will not be enabled because
the cruise control is not cancelled. To decrease the vehicle
speed, reset to a slower speed with the cruise control lever or
depress the brake pedal. If you use the brake pedal, cruise
control is cancelled.
5
Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control lever, by
depressing the brake pedal or vehicle stability control
activation, pushing the lever up in the “+ RES” direction will
restore the speed set prior to cancellation. However, once the
vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset
speed will not be resumed.
Cruise control failure warning
If the “CRUISE” indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes
when using the cruise control, push the “ON−OFF” button to
turn the system off and then push it again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then occurs, there is some
trouble in the cruise control system.
The indicator light does not come on.
The indicator light flashes again.
The indicator light goes out after it comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Lexus dealer and have your
Lexus inspected.

STARTING AND DRIVING
395
DYNAMIC RADAR CRUISE
CONTROL
The vehicles with pre−collision system are equipped with
dynamic radar cruise control.
Dynamic radar cruise control allows you to drive at a
selected cruising speed over about 45 km/h (28 mph) with
your foot off the accelerator pedal, maintaining an
appropriate vehicle−to−vehicle distance.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on dynamic radar cruise control
in order to avoid serious injury or death, or to prevent
accidents or to control the vehicle’s speed in
emergency situations. Do not use cruise control except
in appropriate road and traffic conditions. Always drive
carefully and attentively. Before using dynamic radar
cruise control, read and understand the following
instructions.
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1
Multi−information display
2
Master warning light
3
“CRUISE” indicator light
4
Distance switch
(for changing vehicle−to−vehicle distance)
5
Cruise control switch

STARTING AND DRIVING
396
Changing the dynamic radar cruise control
mode
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1
Vehicle−to−vehicle distance control mode
2
Conventional (fixed speed) cruise control mode
The dynamic radar cruise control function has two cruise
control modes.
Vehicle−to−vehicle distance control mode for maintaining
an appropriate distance between vehicles
Conventional (fixed speed) cruise control mode for cruising
at preset speeds
You can change the mode by using the control lever.
The two cruise control modes function differently. If you use
dynamic radar cruise control, always confirm which mode is
selected.
Vehicle−to−vehicle distance control mode
The millimeter wave radar sensor in this system primarily
detects the reflected wave from the rear end of the vehicle
ahead of you to determine the presence of the vehicle
ahead as well as measuring the vehicle−to−vehicle
distance. The detection range of the sensor is about 120
m (400 ft.) ahead.
When the dynamic radar cruise control is on, the driving
pattern of the automatic transmission is fixed in the normal
mode, regardless of the position of the selector switch.
CAUTION
The dynamic radar cruise control is not a
collision−avoidance system and will not prevent
accidents. The dynamic radar cruise control is a vehicle
speed control device that is intended for use only on
freeways or roads where the traffic is light or moderate.
To avoid serious injury, you must use caution and be
attentive to road and traffic conditions while using
dynamic radar cruise control.

STARTING AND DRIVING
401 (b) Turning the system on
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To operate the dynamic radar cruise control, push the
“ON−OFF” button. This turns the system on. When the
“CRUISE” indicator light in the instrument cluster comes on
and “RADAR READY” appears on the multi−information
display, you can now set your desired cruising speed and
vehicle−to−vehicle distance. Pushing the “ON−OFF” button
again will turn the system completely off and “CRUISE OFF”
will appear on the multi−information display.
When the engine switch is turned off, the system is also
automatically turned off. To use the dynamic radar cruise
control again, push the “ON−OFF” button again to turn it on.
When the engine switch is turned off, all the preset data is
cleared. When you use the dynamic radar cruise control again,
you need to reset the data.The multi−information display will return to the
vehicle−to−vehicle distance screen about 6 seconds after the
vehicle−to−vehicle distance screen has been changed to
another screen.
CAUTION
To avoid accidentally engaging the cruise control, keep
the “ON−OFF” button off when not using the dynamic
radar cruise control.