Lexus GS350 2013 Owner's Manual

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GS350_U (OM30C34U)
4-2. Driving procedures
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle shift
switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-” and “+”
paddle shift switches. Changing the shift range allows restriction of the
highest gear, preventing unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of
engine braking force to be selected.Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to
D5, will be displayed in the meter.
To return to normal D position driving,
the “+” paddle shift switch must be
held down for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher shift
range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
1
2
Meter displayFunction
D2 - D5
A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear is
automatically chosen depending on vehicle speed and driving conditions
D1Setting the gear at 1

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1814-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to M. Gears can then be selected by
operating the shift lever or paddle shift switches, allowing you to drive in
the gear of your choosing.Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear changes once every time the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is
operated.
The selected gear, from M1 to M6, will
be fixed and displayed in the meter.
When in the M position, the gear will not change unless the shift lever
or paddle shift switches are operated.
However, even when in the M position, the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situation:
●When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).
●When the automatic transmission fluid or engine coolant tempera-
ture is low.
●When automatic transmission fluid temperature is high.
●When the needle of the tachometer is in the red zone (the range
which exceeds the allowable revs of the engine).
Selecting gears in the M position
1
2

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4-2. Driving procedures
In the following situations, the gear will not shift even if the shift lever or
paddle shift switches are operated.
●“1st Gear not available due to slippery road surface” is displayed on
the multi information display.
●The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).
■When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the D position
A shift range will be automatically selected. The highest gear of the first shift range
will be one gear lower than the gear in use during normal D position driving.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the “+” paddle shift switch is operated when the shift range is in 5
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to other than D
■To protect automatic transmission
“Transmission Fluid High Temperature” is displayed on the multi-information display
and a function is adopted that automatically selects a higher shift range when the
fluid temperature is high. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turned off after driv-
ing in snow mode.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 7 3 7

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1834-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift
lever to the M position cancels the function.)
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehi-
cle skidding to the side or spinning.

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4-2. Driving procedures
Tu r n s i g n a l l e v e r
The lever will return to its original position after operation.Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■If the turn signals do not stop flashi ng after turning left or right, or if
you want to stop them flashing
Operate the lever in the opposite direction to either position or .
If you move the lever to either position or , the selected turn sig-
nals will flash.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
23
14

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1854-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable feature →P. 777)

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4-2. Driving procedures
Pa rk in g b ra ke
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will
come on. (→P. 1 8 7 )
Press and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and it is
necessary to operate the parking
brake while driving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake indi-
cator light goes off.
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
U.S.A. Canada
1
2

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1874-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift lever
operation.
Turns automatic mode on/off
●When the shift lever is moved out
of P, the parking brake will be
released.
●When the shift lever is moved into
P, the parking brake will be set.
Operate the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed.
■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 (auto-
matic 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 operat-
ing the parking brake. Normal operation will return after about 1 minute.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (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 until 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
indicator light will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
Automatic mode

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4-2. Driving procedures
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning message will turn on or flash. (→P. 688, 701)
Depending on the condition, the parking brake indicator light may flash.
■Usage in winter time
→ P. 299
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. 7 3 8 )
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.

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Driving
Horn
To sound the horn, press on or close
to the mark.