engine overheat Lexus GS350 2014 Using the air conditioning system and defogger / LEXUS 2014 GS350 OWNERS MANUAL (OM30D41U)

TABLE OF CONTENTS6
GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
7-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers .................. 692
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency.... 693 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed................................ 694
If you think something is wrong ................ 700
Fuel pump shut off system ........ 701
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds..... 702
If a warning message is displayed .................................. 712
If you have a flat tire ...................736
If the engine will not start ......... 749
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ....................... 751
If the parking brake cannot be released .................................752
If the electronic key does not operate properly ......................754
If the vehicle battery is discharged.............................. 757
If your vehicle overheats ............761
If the vehicle becomes stuck .............................................. 764
7When trouble arises

15Pictorial index
GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 198
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 304
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 375
Precautions against car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 610
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P . 206
Refueling method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 206
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 770
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 642
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 775
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 304
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 642
Coping with flat tires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 736
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 626
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P . 626
Engine compartment cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 630
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 7 7 0
Coping with overheat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 761
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 719
Headlights/parking lights/daytime running ligh ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 192
Fog lights
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 197
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P . 186
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 192
Stop lights
Hill-start assist control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 277
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 19 2
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 180
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 19 2
4
5
6
7
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 676, Watts: P. 777)
*: If equipped
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
832. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
■The meters and display illuminate when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■Instrument panel brightness adjustment
The instrument panel brightness levels when the tail lights are on and off can be
adjusted individually. However, when the surroundings are bright (daytime, etc.),
turning on the tail lights will not change th e instrument panel brightness. At this time,
any adjustments made to the instrument panel brightness levels will be applied to
both settings at once.
■Limitation of brightness adjustment
The brightness of the instrument panel ligh ts is automatically adjusted based on the
light sensor detecting how bright the surroundings are. However, if the instrument
panel brightness has been manually set to ei ther the brightest or darkest setting, the
automatic adjustment will not be performed.
■ECO lamp and SPORT lamp
●When sport mode is selected, SPORT lamp (red) will illuminate.
●When all of the following conditions are satisfied and Eco-friendly driving, ECO
lamp (blue) will illuminate. (ECO lamp will become brighter the more Eco-friendly
driving you perform. Also, while the acceleration exceeds Zone of Eco driving,
ECO lamp turns off. [P. 90] However, when Eco drive mode is selected, while
the acceleration exceeds Zone of Eco driving, ECO lamp does not turn off.):
• Driving with the shift lever in D
• Paddle shift switch is not operated.
• Either normal mode or Eco drive mode is selected.
• The vehicle speed is approximately 80 mph (130 km/h) or below.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operatio n of ECO lamp) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 7 9 3 )
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates 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. 76 1 )

160
GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
●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. 6 9 3
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. ( P. 1 8 0 )
●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 not before driving at such speeds.

162
GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Front brakes only: Moderate levels of brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced
front braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly than conven-
tional brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads, Lexus 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 in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly
and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the parking
brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, always 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.

164
GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift lever or
depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire due to engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a serious
health hazard.
■When braking
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause one side
of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.
●The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and the braking di stance will increase. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.
■If the vehicle becomes stuck (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or the vehi-
cle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline components or propel
the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.

GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
1774-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended if
the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor
will resume functioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” will be displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
 P. 6 5 9
■Operation of the engine switch
●When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch is
pressed improperly, the engine may not st art or the engine switch mode may not
change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine switch off,
the engine may not start in some cases. Af ter turning the engine switch off, please
wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-but ton start has been deactivated in a cus-
tomized setting
 P. 7 5 4
“Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right.

GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
1894-2. Driving procedures
4
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 overheatin g. If this happens, refrain from operat-
ing the parking brake. Normal operatio n will return after about 1 minute.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a moto r sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light
●Depending on the engine switch mode, th e 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

205
GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
Headlight cleaner switch
Press the switch to clean the head-
lights.
■The headlight cleaners can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode and the headlight switch is turned on.
■Windshield washer linked operation
When the windshield washer is operated with the engine switch in IGNITION ON
mode and the headlights on, the headlight cleaners will operate once. ( P. 1 9 8 )
: If equipped
Washer fluid can be sprayed on the headlights.
NOTICE
■When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do not press the switch continually as the washer fluid pump may overheat.

274
GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Reactivation of the TRAC system linked to vehicle speed
When only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when vehi-
cle speed increases. However, when both TRAC/VSC systems are turned off, the
systems will not turn on even when vehicle speed increases.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheat-
ing when there is frequent steering input ov er an extended period of time. The steer-
ing wheel may feel heavy as a result.
* Should this occur, refrain from excessive
steering input or stop the vehicle and tu rn the engine off. The EPS system should
return to normal within 10 minutes.
*: If the LKA (Lane-Keeping Assist) system cannot operate in this case, a warning
message will be shown on the multi-information display.