stop start Lexus GS300 2006 Starting and Driving

STARTING AND DRIVING
380When the steering sensor is malfunctioning
G31064
If the steering sensor cable is broken and signals cannot
be received, the vehicle symbol comes on and the
steering guide symbol and arrows flash.
If only the steering sensor is malfunctioning, the warning
appears only on the multi−information display.
If this warning appears, have the sensor checked by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.When the neutral point of the steering sensor is unknown
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If the memorized neutral point of the steering is erased by
replacing the battery, the vehicle symbol, steering guide
symbol and arrows come on.
If only the neutral point of the steering sensor is unknown, the
warning appears only on the multi−information display.
If this warning appears, calibrate the neutral point of the
steering using either of the following:
Turn the steering wheel either way fully and then in the
opposite direction fully and slowly, with the vehicle stopped.
Drive on roads (with as few curves as possible and without
backing up) for more than about 5 minutes.
If this warning goes out, the calibration of the steering neutral
point is completed. If the warning still remains on, have the
sensor checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.

STARTING AND DRIVING
381 As the intuitive parking assist might be malfunctioning in
the following cases, have it checked by your Lexus dealer.
The indicator in the instrument cluster does not come on
and a beep does not sound even when the intuitive parking
assist main switch is turned on.
The warning comes on despite no obstacle around the
vehicle.
When the detection range of the sensors is
shorter
In the following cases, the sensors will detect an obstacle
about 50 cm (1.5 ft.) from either front corner of the vehicle
and the steering guidance will be stopped. Accordingly,
the tire orientation symbol on the screen does not appear.
And only the warning according to the distance up to the
obstacle is given.
a. Any one of the sensors is malfunctioning.
b. Any one of the steering sensors is malfunctioning.
c. The steering sensor signal cannot be received properly.
d. The correct vehicle information cannot be given due to
extremely low battery voltage.
e. Proper steering detection (going straight) cannot be
detected
In case of a., when the intuitive parking assist returns to
normal, the steering guidance also comes back automatically.
In case of b. through e., the steering guidance also comes back
automatically after the neutral point of the steering sensor
calibration is completed.

STARTING AND DRIVING
398
CAUTION
Under certain conditions where the vehicle in front
slows drastically, or is stopped, the dynamic radar
cruise control will neither warn you nor decelerate. The
driver must depress the brake pedal to slow down,
ensuring collision avoidance or that sufficient
vehicle−to−vehicle distance is maintained.
When vehicle−to−vehicle distance control mode is activated,
you must still be attentive to road and traffic conditions. Should
your vehicle speed decrease below about 40 km/h (25 mph),
the dynamic radar cruise control will shut off, requiring you to
apply the brakes to slow. When a vehicle ahead slows
suddenly, stops or a vehicle cuts in front, the system may slow
your vehicle abruptly, but the automatic braking will cease if the
speed decreases below about 40 km/h (25 mph) requiring the
driver’s manual application of brakes.
CAUTION
Certain conditions make vehicle detection difficult or
impossible.
As this system operates by detecting primarily the
reflected wave from the rear end of the vehicle ahead,
the distance cannot be accurately detected in the
following cases, resulting in improper
vehicle−to−vehicle distance.
♦The rear section of the vehicle ahead is extremely
small such as an unloaded trailer.
♦The vehicle ahead or other vehicles around you
are flinging up water or snow.
♦Heavy luggage which is loaded in your trunk or on
top of your rear seats is raising up the nose of your
vehicle.
The millimeter wave radar sensor automatically
detects dirt if it is sticking to the front of the sensor
or cover of your vehicle, and if detected, a message
appears on the multi−information display. However,
if the sensor or cover is covered with a metallic vinyl
bag, icicle, snowflakes, etc., dirt may not be detected,
resulting in improper vehicle−to−vehicle distance.
Continue driving with due care to the vehicle ahead.
If dirt is detected, the dynamic radar cruise control
function is automatically cancelled. Always keep the
sensor and cover clean.

STARTING AND DRIVING
405
5
Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed has been cancelled, when you push the
lever up in the “+ RES” direction while “RADAR READY”
shows up on the multi−information display and at a vehicle
speed of about more than 40 km/h (25 mph), the speed set
prior to cancellation will be restored.
During follow−up cruising, if there are no vehicles running
ahead because they have changed lanes, your vehicle will
accelerate gradually up to the preset speed.CAUTION
Deceleration cruising function and approach
warning do not operate when the vehicle ahead is at
a stop or driving very slowly.
While vehicle−to−vehicle distance control is on (on
follow−up cruising), acceleration and deceleration
are automatically performed in proportion to the
speed of the vehicle ahead detected. However, if the
vehicle ahead of you decelerates abruptly or if
another vehicle cuts in ahead of you, your vehicle
may collide with the vehicle ahead unless you
manually depress the brake pedal to slow down your
vehicle. If you need to accelerate because the vehicle
ahead or you changes lanes, then depress the
acceleration pedal.
Depending on the road configuration (curved roads,
left and right continuous curved roads, driving at the
start or end of the curve, narrow driving lanes due to
road construction) or your vehicle condition
(steering wheel maneuvering, position in the lane or
unstable driving because of an accident or
breakdown), vehicles in other lanes or surrounding
objects will be detected, resulting in a control failure
or the activated approach warning. This may also
result in a very close distance between vehicles due
to a failure to detect the vehicle ahead. Maneuvering
the steering wheel in response to a violent lateral
wind will cause similar conditions.

STARTING AND DRIVING
411
G13073
If the system cannot easily measure the
vehicle−to−vehicle distance because of a dirty millimeter
wave radar sensor or grille cover while the dynamic radar
cruise control is on, the above message appears.
If this message appears, clean the sensor and grille cover with
a soft cloth and try setting the preset speed again. If the dirt
is removed without cleaning, the system will automatically
enter the “RADAR READY” mode. If the system does not enter
the “RADAR READY” mode even after cleaning or the
message remains on the display, the system might be
malfunctioning. Although it is no problem to continue driving,
contact your Lexus dealer.
G13074
If the system cannot easily measure the
vehicle−to−vehicle distance because of the following
conditions while the dynamic radar cruise control is on,
the above message appears.
The driving pattern selector switch is set to the snow
position.
It is determined that it is difficult to make a measurement
because of bad weather (such as extremely hot weather).
The wipers are operated at high speed with the wiper lever
in the “AUTO” position.
In the following cases, the dynamic radar cruise control
switches to the “RADAR READY” mode:
The driving pattern selector switch is changed to the normal
or power position.
The wipers are stopped or are switched to low speed or
intermittent operation. (Including intermittent and stopped
wipers in the “AUTO” position.)
In the above conditions, press the control lever upward in the
“+ RES” direction and release it. The dynamic radar cruise
control will be restored, however, even after the weather
clears, if the setting operation cannot be performed or if the
warning message still appears, the system might have
malfunctioned. Although it is no problem to continue driving,
contact your Lexus dealer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
412
G13075
If the system malfunction is detected when dynamic radar
cruise control is in the “RADAR READY” mode or
operating, the above message appears.
If this message appears, stop your vehicle in a safe place, turn
the engine switch off, and then restart it to reset the system.
If the setting still cannot be made or the same message
appears again, the system might have malfunctioned.
Although it is no problem to continue driving, contact your
Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
While you are cruising with the dynamic radar cruise
control on, if the master warning light comes on, the
“CRUISE” indicator light flashes, “CHECK CRUISE
SYSTEM” appears on the multi−information display and
the warning tone sounds, turn the engine switch off and
then on again. If the function is cancelled again after
setting or if settings cannot be made, the dynamic radar
cruise control system may be malfunctioning.
Although it is no problem to continue driving, have your
vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
Conventional (fixed speed) cruise control
mode
This mode allows you to cruise at a desired speed over
about 45 km/h (28 mph) with your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
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, the speed
will change more radically so it is better to drive without cruise
control.
When 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
422
Vehicle stability control failure warning
G31039

1
GS430 2
GS300
If the vehicle stability control system malfunctions, the
slip indicator light (two−wheel drive models only) and
brake system warning light (yellow) come on. At this time,
the above message appears. (GS430 only—In some
cases, the multi−information display shows either
“CHECK VSC” or “CHECK ECB” only.)
If the message appears, the vehicle stability control system,
traction control system and hill−start assist control system do
not work. Although it is no problem to continue driving, have
your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
HILL−START ASSIST CONTROL
SYSTEM
The hill−start assist control system assists you in starting
to move up a steep or slippery hill. When you start to move
up the hill slope, the system helps to prevent the vehicle
from rolling backward in the interval while you move your
foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the hill−start assist control
system. The vehicle may not be able to start
smoothly on road surfaces or off−road surfaces such
as extremely steep slopes or icy roads, on which
sliding can occur very easily.
Do not use the hill−start assist control system to stop
the vehicle. This system is not designed for stopping
the vehicle on an uphill slope.

STARTING AND DRIVING
423 The hill−start assist control system will operate for 5
seconds maximally when all of the following conditions
apply.
When the selector lever is in “D” or “S” position
When the brake pedal is not depressed
The system is designed to operate when the vehicle is starting
on an uphill slope; therefore, if the selector lever is in “P” or “N”,
it will not operate. It will not operate either if the vehicle starts
to move in reverse on a slope with the selector lever in “R”.
When the hill−start assist control system is operating, you may
hear a sound. This indicates the hill−start assist control is
operating normally and does not indicate a malfunction.
G31038

Slip indicator light
When the hill−start assist control system is operating, the slip
indicator light flashes. At the same time, the stop lights and
high mounted stoplight are lit.GS430—The slip indicator light comes on when the engine
switch is selected in “IG−ON” mode. The light goes off when
the engine is started.
GS300—The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds
when the engine switch is selected in “IG−ON” mode.
If the indicator light does not come on when the engine switch
is selected in “IG−ON” mode, contact your Lexus dealer.
Keep the following in mind when driving:
The hill−start assist control system operates for 5 seconds
maximally. If both the brake and accelerator pedals remain
undepressed for longer than 5 seconds, the buzzer will
sound at more frequent intervals and the system will
gradually stop operating.
The hill−start assist control system is not designed for
stopping the vehicle on an uphill slope. When stopping the
vehicle, be sure to depress the brake pedal.

STARTING AND DRIVING
424
Hill−start assist control system failure
warning
G31039

1
GS430 2
GS300
If the hill−start assist control system malfunctions, the
slip indicator light (two−wheel drive models only) and
brake system warning light (yellow) come on. At this time,
the above message appears. (GS430 only—In some
cases, the multi−information display shows either
“CHECK VSC” or “CHECK ECB” only.)
If the message appears, the hill−start assist control system,
vehicle stability control system and traction control system do
not work. Although it is no problem to continue driving, have
your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
VARIABLE GEAR RATIO
STEERING SYSTEM
(GS430 only)
The variable gear ratio steering system adjusts the wheel
turning angle depending on the vehicle speed and how
much you turn the steering wheel.
The vehicle wheel turning angle will be changed with a smaller
degree of wheel maneuvering when you are driving at very low
speed such as when putting your vehicle into a garage.
When you start or stop the engine, you may hear a small noise
and the steering wheel may move slightly. This is caused when
the system starts or stops, and does not indicate a malfunction.
In the following cases, to prevent the system from overheating,
the system could be temporarily deactivated with the change
in the center position of the steering wheel. This is not a
malfunction. After the cause of the problem is eliminated, the
system will return to normal automatically after a few minutes.
If you continue maneuvering the steering wheel when the
vehicle is stopped or running at very low speed
If you continue driving holding the steering wheel to the
extreme right or left
If you maneuver the steering wheel immediately after
starting the engine at less than about −30C (−22F)

STARTING AND DRIVING
427
BRAKE SYSTEM
This brake system has 2 independent hydraulic circuits. If
either circuit should fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your stopping distance will
increase. Also, the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses brake fluid pressurized by the pump
(GS430) or engine vacuum (GS300) to power−assist the
brakes. If the brake booster fails during driving, the brake
system warning light (red) comes on. In this case, the brakes
may not work properly. If they do not work well, depress the
brake pedal firmly. If the brake system warning light (red)
comes on, immediately stop your vehicle and contact your
Lexus dealer.
GS430 only—Either of the following conditions may
occur, but does not indicate a malfunction:
The brake system warning light (red) may stay on for about
60 seconds after the engine is started. It is normal if the light
turns off after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the
brake system warning light (red). It is normal if the light goes
out after a few seconds.GS430:
You may hear a small sound in the engine compartment after
the engine is started or the brake pedal is depressed
repeatedly. This is a pump pulsating sound of the brake
system, and it is not a malfunction.
GS300:
If the engine should stop while you are driving, you can bring
the vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure. There is
enough reserved vacuum for one or two stops—but no more!
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your brake fluid
pressure reserve.
Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard, much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will increase.