2006 Lexus GS300 ECO mode

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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.

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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.

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393
Setting operation
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Each function is described below.
1
Setting at a desired speed.
The transmission must be in the “D” position, or the shift range
position must be “4” (fourth range), “5” (fifth range) or “6” (sixth
range) in the “S” mode before you set the cruise control speed.
Bring the vehicle to the desired speed, press the control lever
downward in the “– SET” direction and release it. This sets the
vehicle at that speed. Now you may take your foot off the
accelerator pedal. If you need acceleration − for example,
when passing − depress the accelerator pedal enough for the
vehicle to exceed the set speed. When you release the
accelerator pedal, the vehicle will return to the speed set prior
to the acceleration.
2
Cancelling the preset speed
You can cancel the preset speed by doing any of the following:
a. Pulling the control lever in the ”CANCEL” direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.
c. Pushing the “ON−OFF” button.
If the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the
preset speed will be automatically cancelled.
If the vehicle speed drops 16 km/h (10 mph) below the preset
speed, the preset speed will also automatically be cancelled.
If the slip indicator light blinks and a warning tone sounds, the
preset speed will be automatically cancelled.
If the preset speed automatically cancels out for other than the
above reasons, do not operate the cruise control. Although it
is no problem to continue driving, have your vehicle checked
by your Lexus dealer at the earliest opportunity.
3
Resetting to a faster speed
Press the control lever upward in the “+ RES” direction and
hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed is attained.
While the lever is held upward, the vehicle will gradually gain
speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be
increased 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control
lever upward in the “+ RES” direction quickly within 0.6
seconds.

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408(f) Approach warning
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CAUTION
While you are cruising in the vehicle−to−vehicle
distance control mode, if the vehicle ahead decelerates
abruptly or if another vehicle cuts in ahead of you,
inadequate braking will make your vehicle closer to the
vehicle ahead of you and the multi−information display
flashes and beeps. The driver must depress the brake
pedal to slow down, ensuring collision avoidance or
that sufficient vehicle−to−vehicle distance is
maintained.
The approach warning may not turn on even if the
vehicle drives closer to the vehicle ahead in the
following conditions:
♦Your vehicle and the vehicle ahead are cruising at
almost the same speed.
♦The vehicle ahead is cruising at a faster speed than
yours. (The distance between the vehicles will
become longer.)
♦Pay special attention to the very slow vehicle at the
end of the line in heavy traffic or at the tollgate.
♦Immediately after the speed setting.
♦The accelerator pedal is depressed or immediately
after the release of the accelerator pedal.

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413
CAUTION
In the conventional (fixed speed) cruise control
mode, an approach warning does not activate even if
you are too close to the vehicle ahead, as neither the
presence of the vehicle ahead nor the
vehicle−to−vehicle distance is detected. Pay special
attention to the distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle ahead. Always confirm the setting in the
multi−information display.
The conventional (fixed speed) cruise control mode
of the dynamic radar cruise control should not be
used in the following conditions, which could result
in death or serious injury.
♦To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use fixed speed control mode when using
dynamic radar cruise control while driving in
heavy or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy
or snow−covered) or winding roads.
♦Avoid vehicle speed increasing when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation
to the preset speed in the fixed speed control
mode, cancel the fixed control mode and then
downshift the transmission to use engine braking
to slow down.
(a) Turning the system on
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To operate conventional cruise control mode, push the
“ON−OFF” button. This turns the system on. The “CRUISE”
indicator light in the instrument cluster comes on and “RADAR
READY” appears on the multi−information display. Push the
control lever in the “MODE” direction for longer than 1 second
to change to conventional cruise control mode. The indicator
on the multi−information display is as shown. You can now set
your desired cruising speed. Pushing the “ON−OFF” button
again will turn the system completely off and “CRUISE OFF”
will appear on the multi−information display.
However, once the vehicle−to−vehicle distance control mode
activates and is used, it cannot be changed to the conventional
(fixed speed) cruise control mode using the above operation.
To change the mode, push the “ON−OFF” button to turn the
system off and then push it again to turn it on. Next push the
lever in the “MODE” direction for longer than about 1 second.

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416
3
Resetting to a faster speed
Press the control lever upward in the “+ RES” direction and
hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed is attained.
While the lever is held upward, the vehicle will gradually gain
speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be
increased 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control
lever upward in the “+ RES” direction quickly within 0.6
seconds.
A quicker way to reset the speed is to accelerate and then
press the control lever downward in the “– SET” direction. 4
Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the “– SET” direction and
hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed is attained.
While the lever is held downward, the vehicle speed will
gradually decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be
lowered 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control
lever downward in the “– SET” direction quickly within 0.6
seconds.
A quicker way to reset the preset speed is to depress the brake
pedal and then press the control lever downward in the “– SET”
direction.
Even if you downshift the transmission from the “D” or “6” (sixth
range) to “5” (fifth range), or from “D” or “5” (fifth range) to “4”
(fourth range) in the conventional cruise control mode, engine
braking will not be applied because this mode is not cancelled.
To slow down, reset the cruise control to a slower speed with
the cruise control lever or depress the brake pedal. If you use
the brake pedal, cruise control is cancelled.

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TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of rear wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the engine switch is selected in “IG−ON” mode, the
system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power against rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.
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Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during the ordinary driving so that it
can operate when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the traction control system is in the self−check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction.
When the traction control system is operating, the following
conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the rear wheels. At this
time, the slip indicator light blinks.
You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
GS430—The slip indicator light comes on when the engine
switch is selected in “IG−ON” mode. The light goes off when
the engine is started.

STARTING AND DRIVING
419 GS300—The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds
when the engine switch is selected in “IG−ON” mode.
If the indicator light does not come on when the engine switch
is selected in “IG−ON” mode, contact your Lexus dealer.
Traction control off mode
(two−wheel drive models only)
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If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on
a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control
system. This system that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push “TRAC OFF” switch.
The slip indicator light will come on.
The vehicle stability control system is always activated even if
the traction control system is turned off.GS430 only—When the vehicle speed exceeds about 50 km/h
(30 mph) even if the traction control system is turned off, the
system turns on automatically.
To turn on: Push “TRAC OFF” switch once again.
The slip indicator light will go off.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
The slip indicator light does not come on when the engine
switch is selected in “IG−ON” mode.
The slip indicator light remains on after the engine is started
(GS430), or remains on after the engine switch is selected
in “IG−ON” mode (GS300).
The slip indicator light comes on in the normal driving mode
while driving.