brake Lexus GS350 2017 Owner's Guide

2304-1. Before driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving, as
this may restrain the engine output.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the
same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause
the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is
accidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possi ble to avoid damaging
the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
●GS200t: Make sure to idle the engine immediately after high-load driving. Stop the
engine only after the turbocharger has cooled down. ( P. 225)
Failure to do so may cause damage to the turbocharger.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 557, 573)
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to have
any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus auth orized repairer, or any reliable repairer
check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
transfer (AWD models), differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

237
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer . In order to avoid acci-
dent, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when towing:
■Checking connections between trailer and lights
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection between the
trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as well as before starting off.
■Practicing driving with a coupled trailer ●Get the feel for turning, stopping an d reversing with the trailer coupled by
practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
● When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the steering
wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the trailer left or counter-
clockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a little at a time to prevent steerin g
error. Have someone guide you when reversing to lessen the risk of an
accident.
■Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the distance to the vehicle runni ng ahead of
you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined length of your v ehi-
cle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that may cause skidding. Otherwise, the
vehicle may spin out of control. This is especially true when driving on wet or
slippery road surfaces.
■Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer colliding with your
vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when approaching turns and take them
slowly and carefully to avoid sudden braking.
■Important points regarding turning
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the curve than the
wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this, take the turns wider than you
would normally do.
■Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and strong cross-
winds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by passing buses or
large trucks. Frequently check behind when moving alongside such vehicles.
As soon as such vehicle movement occurs, immediately start to decelerate
smoothly by slowly applying the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight
ahead while braking.
Guidance

2384-1. Before driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
■Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer and ensure that
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient before executing lane change s.
■Transmission information
To maintain engine braking efficiency, when using engine braking, when driv-
ing on a long steep downgrade, do not use the transmission in D . If in the M
mode, the transmission shift range position must be in 4 or lower. ( P. 249)
■If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures exceeding 30 C (85 F) may result in the engine overheating. If the engine coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is overheating, turn the air condition-
ing off immediately, leave the road and stop the vehicle in a safe place. (  P. 602)
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle and trailer.
Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.
WARNING
Follow all the instructions described in this se ction. Failure to do so could cause an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury.
■Trailer towing precautions
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded. ( P. 234)
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehicle.
●Do not tow a trailer when the tire installed is repaired with the emergency tire punc-
ture repair kit.
●Do not use cruise control (if equipped), dynamic radar cruise control (if equipped) or
dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range (if equipped) when trailer towing.
■Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
■Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while descending
steep or long downhill grades.
■Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake ov erheating or reduce braking effects.

2404-2. Driving procedures
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
Engine (ignition) switch
Press the parking brake switch to check that the parking brake is set.
(  P. 256)
Parking brake indicator will come on.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message (GS F only) will be displa yed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch shortly and
firmly.
When operating the engine switch, one
short, firm press is enough.
It is not necessary to press and hold the
switch.
The engine will crank un til it starts or for
up to 30 seconds, whichever is less.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the engine is completely started.
The engine can be started from any
engine switch mode.
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or changes engine switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4

241
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake ( P. 256), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “POWER ON” on the multi-informa-
tion display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.) Off *
The emergency flashers can be used.
“POWER ON” will not be displayed on
the multi-information display.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
* : If the shift lever is in a position other than
P when turning off the engine, the
engine switch will be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4

2424-2. Driving procedures
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
If the engine is stopped with the shift le ver in a position other than P, the engine
switch will not be turned off but inst ead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. Per-
form the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is displayed on the multi-information display
and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on the multi-information display is off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 min utes or IGNITION ON
mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with th e shift lever in P, the engine
switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely prevent battery
discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of time when the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion  P. 156
■Conditions affecting operation P. 175
■Notes for the push-start function P. 177
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system ma y not have been deactivated. (P. 86)
Contact any authorized Lexus retailer or Le xus authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift lever is
displaced out of P. “Shift to P position to Start” will be displayed on the multi-information
display.
■Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the steering lock functi on. Operating the engine switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other than P
1
2
3
4

2444-2. Driving procedures
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
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, resulting 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. 509)
However, do not touch the engine 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.

2464-2. Driving procedures
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
Automatic transmission
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
* 1
: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises , set the shift lever in D for normal driving.
* 2
: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving *1
MM mode driving
*2
(  P. 249)

253
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake p edal, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus
retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Press the parking brake switch to check that the parking brake is set. ( P. 256)
Parking brake indicat or will come on.
Turn the engine switch to off.
Depress the brake pedal.
Type A: Pry the cover up with a flathead
screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip
of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the button
is pressed.
Type A
Type B
1
2
3
4
5

2544-2. Driving procedures
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
■AI-SHIFT
●The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when th e shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift
lever to the M position cancels the function.)
●8-speed models: G AI-SHIFT automatically selects a suitable gear for sporty driving
according to driver’s input and driving co nditions. G AI-SHIFT operates automatically
when the shift lever is in D and sport mode is selected for the driving mode. (Selecting
normal mode with the driving mode select sw itch or shifting the shift lever to the M
position cancels this function.)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceler ation, as this could result in the vehicle
skidding to the side or spinning.
■To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override butt on, make sure to set the parking brake and
depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depress instead of the brake pedal when the shift
lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted out of P, the vehicle may
suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Gear Shift Indicator display (if equipped)
For safety, the driver should not look only at the display. Refer to the display when it is
safe to do so while considering actual traffic and road conditions.
Failure to do so may lead to an accident.