engine overheat Lexus GS300 2018 Owner's Manuals

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GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions.................................. 371
Hood ............................................... 373
Positioning a floor jack ............ 374
Engine compartment ............... 376
Tires ................................................. 393
Tire inflation pressure .............. 403
Wheels ........................................... 406
Air conditioning filter ...............408
Electronic key battery............... 410
Checking and replacing fuses................................................412
Headlight aim (vehicles with single-beam head lights) ........416
Light bulbs ..................................... 418
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers .................. 424
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ................................ 425 7-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ............................... 426
If you think something is wrong................ 432
Fuel pump shut off system...... 433
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ......................................... 434
If a warning message is displayed ......................................441
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with spare tire) ..........................472
If you have a flat tire (vehicles without spare tire) .................. 483
If the engine will not start ........ 497
If the parking brake cannot be released................................ 499
If the electronic key does not operate properly...................... 501
If the vehicle battery is discharged................................. 504
If your vehicle overheats......... 509
If the vehicle becomes stuck .............................................. 515
7When trouble arises

15Pictorial index
GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 137
Locking/unlocking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 137
Opening/closing the door glasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 175
Locking/unlocking by using the mechanical key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 501
Warning lights/warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 436, 443
Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 223
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 296
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 314
Precautions against car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 360
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 228
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 228
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 521
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 393
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 528
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 29 6
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 393
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 472, 483
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 373
Opening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 373
Engine compartment cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 379
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 522
Coping with overheat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 509
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 443
Headlights/front side marker lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 216
Front turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 210
Parking lights/daytime running lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 216
Side turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 210
1
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3
4
5
Light bulbs of the exte rior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 418, Watts: P. 531)
*: If equipped
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7
8

GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
912. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indicates
the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the red
zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check the
engine after it has cooled completely. (→ P. 509)

GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
992. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator of the tachometer enter the red zone, as it represents the
engine speed range which exceeds the maximum safe engine speed.
●In the following situations, th e engine may be overheating. In this case, immediately
stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely.
( → P. 509)
• The engine coolant temperature gauge indicator ( ) is in the red zone and flash- ing.
• The engine oil temperature gauge indicator ( ) is in the red zone and flashing.

GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine running. This
prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator ped-
als to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will
result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in oper-
ating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving po sture even when moving the vehicle only
slightly. This allows you to depress th e brake and accelerator pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay re sponse in an emergency, resulting in an accident.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. 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.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: →P. 425
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a steep
hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause th e brakes to overheat and lose effective-
ness. ( →P. 202)
●Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside rear
view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not
drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability tires.
Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h ) may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle
are high-speed capability tires or no t before driving at such speeds.

GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
1874-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■If a brake pad wear warning message is displayed (GS F)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Moderate levels of the brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced braking power. As a
result, the discs may wear more quickly than conventional brake discs. Therefore, when
replacing the brake pads, Lexu s recommends that you also have the thickness of the
discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or those
of the brake discs are exceeded.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may acce lerate suddenly and
unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the ve hicle rolling away, always keep depressing
the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as neces-
sary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, alwa ys depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust
system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.

200
GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from over
heating, the motor may be suspended if the
engine is turned on and off re peatedly in a short period of time. In this case, refrain from
operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume func-
tioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” will be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
→ P. 410
■Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may not change
or the engine may not start.
●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 access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a customized
setting
→ P. 501
WARNING
■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 resu lting 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 cir-
cumstance may lead to an accident, re sulting 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 succes-
sion. ( →P. 425)
However, do not touch the engi ne switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the engine off while driving will not cause lo ss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. Th is 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.

212
GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
■Parking brake operation
●When the engine switch is not in IGNITION ON mode, the parking brake cannot be
released using the parking brake switch.
●When the engine switch is not in IGNITION ON mode, automatic mode (automatic
brake setting and releasing) is not available.
●If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the system may
restrict operation to prevent overheating. If
this happens, refrain from operating the
parking brake. Normal operation will return after about 1 minute.
●In situations such as when parking on a steep slope*, the maximum amount of braking
force can be used by pressing the parking brake switch with the parking brake already
set.
*: Use wheel chocks when parking on a steep slope.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor so und (whirring sound) may be heard. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light
●Depending on the engine switch mode, the parking brake indicator light will come on
and stay on as described below:
IGNITION ON mode: Comes on unt il the parking brake is released.
Not in IGNITION ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds.
●When the engine switch is turned off with the parking brake set, the parking brake indi-
cator light will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not in dicate a malfunction.
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning message will turn on or flash. ( →P. 436, 442)
Depending on the condition, the park ing brake indicator light may flash.
■Parking the vehicle
→P. 182
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
→P. 445
■Usage in winter time
→P. 297
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, set the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P and make
sure that the vehicle does not move.
■When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and check the warning messages.
■When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Use the parking brake release tool to manually release the parking brake. (→P. 499)
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake se t will lead to brake components overheat-
ing, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.

GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
2934-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC, Hill-start assist
control and VGRS systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the vehicle begins to
move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these sys-
tems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating.
None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard afte r the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slig htly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down s lightly after the ABS is activated.
■EPS, VGRS and DRS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automatically re-
enabled in the following situations:
●When the engine swit ch is turned off
●If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed
increases
If both TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will not occur
when vehicle speed increases.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering
wheel may feel heavy as a result . Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input
or stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The EPS system should return to normal
within 10 minutes.
■Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will operate;
●The shift lever is in a position other than N or P (when starting off forward/backward on
an upward incline).
●The vehicle is stopped.
●The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●The parking brake is not engaged.
■Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will be cancel ed in any of the following situations;
●The shift lever is shifted to N or P.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed.
●The parking brake is engaged.
●Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.

322
GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)5-2. Using the air conditio
ning system and defogger
Heated steering wheel∗/seat heaters∗/seat ventilators∗
Turns the heated steering wheel on/off
The indicator light comes on when the
heater is operating.
●The heated steering wheel can be used when the engine switch is in IGNITION ON
mode.
●The heated steering wheel will automati cally turn off after about 30 minutes.
∗: If equipped
Heated steering wheel and seat heaters heat the side grips of the steering
wheel and seats, respectively. Seat ventilators maintain good airflow by blow-
ing air from the seats.
WARNING
●Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories comes in
contact with the steering wheel or seats when the heater is on:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically challenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs, cold
remedies, etc.)
●Observe the following precautions to pr event the minor burns or overheating:
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat heater.
• Do not use seat heater more than necessary.
NOTICE
●To prevent damage to the seat heaters/seat ventilators, do not put heavy objects that
have an uneven surface on the seat and do not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.)
into the seat.
●To prevent battery discharge, do not us e the functions when the engine is off.
Heated steering wheel (If equipped)