Lexus GS300 2006 Starting and Driving

STARTING AND DRIVING
359 “S” mode indicator light
“S” mode allows you to use the shift range positions.
The “S” mode indicator light comes on when the selector
lever is shifted into the “S” position. When the “S” mode
indicator light does not come on even with the selector lever
moved to the “S” position, there may be a problem
somewhere in the system. Have your vehicle
checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible. In this case, you can drive in the same condition
as in the “D” position.
(c) Using engine braking
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“S” mode position
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the range in
the “S” mode position as follows:
Shift into the “5” (fifth range) position. The transmission will
downshift to fifth gear and engine braking will be enabled.
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and “5” (fifth range) will automatically be
selected.
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “–” position by selecting the “5” (fifth range).

STARTING AND DRIVING
360When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift
from “D” or “6” (sixth range) to “5” (fifth range), engine
braking will not be enabled because the cruise control is not
cancelled. For vehicle speed reduction, see page 394.
Vehicles with the dynamic radar cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used in the conventional
(fixed speed) cruise control mode or in the
vehicle−to−vehicle distance control mode, even if you
downshift from “D” or “6” (sixth range) to “5” (fifth range),
engine braking will not be enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled. For vehicle speed reduction, see
pages 416 and 404.
Shift into the “4” (fourth range) position. The transmission
will downshift to fourth gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than the speed listed below and more
powerful engine braking will be enabled.
GS430193 km/h (120 mph)
GS300 (2WD)187 km/h (116 mph)
GS300 (4WD)178 km/h (111 mph)
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and shift the lever down to the “–” position
once to select “4” (fourth range). However, when you move
the lever to the “S” position while the AI shifting control is
operating, the first shift range will be “5” (fifth range), “4”
(fourth range) or “3” (third range) because the suitable shift
range is selected depending on the driving condition.
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “–” position to select the “4” (fourth range).When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift
from “D” or “5” (fifth range) to “4” (fourth range), engine
braking will not be enabled because the cruise control is not
cancelled. For vehicle speed reduction, see page 394.
Vehicles with the dynamic radar cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used in the conventional
(fixed speed) cruise control mode or in the
vehicle−to−vehicle distance control mode, even if you
downshift from “D” or “5” (fifth range) to “4” (fourth range),
engine braking will not be enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled. For vehicle speed reduction, see
pages 416 and 404.
Shift into the “3” (third range) position. The transmission will
downshift to third gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than the speed listed below and more
powerful engine braking will be enabled.
GS430144 km/h (90 mph)
GS300 (2WD)135 km/h (84 mph)
GS300 (4WD)129 km/h (80 mph)
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and shift the lever down to the “–” position
twice to select the “3” (third range). However, when you
move the lever to the “S” position while the AI shifting control
is operating, the first shift range will be “5” (fifth range), “4”
(fourth range) or “3” (third range) because the suitable shift
range is selected depending on the driving condition.
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “–” position to select “3” (third range).

STARTING AND DRIVING
361 Shift into the “2” (second range) position. The transmission
will downshift to second gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than the speed listed below and more
powerful engine braking than that of the “3” (third range)
position will be enabled.
GS43099 km/h (62 mph)
GS300 (2WD)93 km/h (58 mph)
GS300 (4WD)89 km/h (55 mph)
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and shift the lever down to the “–” position
three times to select “2” (second range).
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “–” position to select “2” (second range).
Shift into the “1” (first range) position. The transmission will
downshift to first gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes
lower than the speed listed below and maximum engine
braking will be enabled.
GS43037 km/h (23 mph)
GS300 (2WD)38 km/h (23 mph)
GS300 (4WD)36 km/h (22 mph)
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and shift the lever down to the “–” position
four times to select “1” (first range).
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “–” position to select “1” (first range).
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.

STARTING AND DRIVING
362
(d) Backing up
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1
Brake pedal 2
“R” (Reverse) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
When the selector lever is shifted into the “R” position, the
outside rear view mirrors automatically down to help backing
up. For details, see “Power rear view mirror control” on page
206.
Vehicles with rear view monitor system: When the selector
lever is shifted into the “R” position with the engine switch in
“IG−ON” mode, rear view monitor system will activate. For
instructions, see “Rear view monitor system” on page 388.

STARTING AND DRIVING
363
(e) Parking
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1
Parking brake pedal 2
Brake pedal
3
“P” (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal fully to securely apply the
parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “P” position.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector lever into “P” under
any circumstances while the vehicle is moving. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may
result.
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope, shift
the selector lever to the “4” position. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the slope.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the parking brake to hold
the vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the
vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can cause
the transmission to overheat.

STARTING AND DRIVING
364
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see “If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 489.
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE
CONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always maintains
appropriate engine output in relation to the accelerator
opening in all driving conditions.
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1
Power position 2
Normal position
3
Snow position
The electronic throttle control system has 3 modes:
normal, power and snow modes.
Normal mode: For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use this mode to improve fuel economy.
Power mode: For more powerful acceleration and sporty
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
367
Where to display
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Multi−information display
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1
Touch screen (full screen display)
2
Touch screen
(vehicles with rear view monitor system)
(For details, see page 382.)
When an obstacle is detected, the indicator bars will come
on or flash, accompanied by beeping. How many bars are
lit or flashing depends on the distance to the obstacle.
When the obstacle is not detected any longer, beeps will stop
sounding and the multi−information display and the screen will
return to the previous display.
The volume of the beeps and the display on the screen can be
changed. See “Setting the intuitive parking assist” on page
385.

STARTING AND DRIVING
368
Indicators and steering guide symbol
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1
Detection by dual sensors
2
Detection by rear corner sensors
3
Detection by back sensors
4
Steering guide symbol (See page 371)
The approximate distance to the obstacle is shown with up to
4 bars on the front, front corners and rear of the vehicle and up
to 3 bars on the rear corners of the vehicle.
CAUTION
To avoid an accident or injury, observe the following
instructions, and then drive slowly using the brakes
while confirming a safe distance around your vehicle
with your eyes.
The sensor detection range is limited around the
bumper. Be sure to confirm safety outside sensor
detection with your eyes. For the sensor detection
range, see page 376.
It might take time for the sensors to detect the
obstacle.
Depending on the shape of the obstacle, indicators or
beeps may not warn you properly, and the detection
range may also be shortened.
It might be difficult to hear beeps due to the volume
of audio or air flow noise of air conditioning.