2006 Lexus GS300 light

STARTING AND DRIVING
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
415 You cannot set a desired speed if the master warning light
comes on, the warning tone sounds and the multi−information
display indicates a warning message such as “CHECK
CRUISE SYSTEM”. If this messages appears on the display,
see “Conventional cruise control mode failure warning” on
page 417.
If you turn off the “ON−OFF” button while the warning message
is displayed, the warning message turns off and the
multi−information display switches to another screen. When
you turn the “ON−OFF” button on again, the warning message
comes back on the display. If no warning message appears on
the display, the setting can be made.
You can change the dynamic radar cruise control screen to
another screen even while the warning message is displayed.
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 cancelled by a. or b., the multi−information displays shows
nothing and the conventional cruise control enters the ready
mode.
If cancelled by c., the “CRUISE” indicator light goes off in the
instrument cluster and the multi−information display shows
“CRUISE OFF”. In this case, the preset speed data is cleared,
and you must set the speed from the beginning.In the following cases, the preset speed automatically
cancels out:
a. The vehicle speed falls below about 40km/h (25 mph).
b. If the vehicle speed drops 16 km/h (10 mph) below the
preset speed, the preset speed will also automatically be
cancelled.
c. The control lever is pressed downward in the “– SET”
direction and held at less than about 45 km/h (28 mph). (45
km/h (28 mph) is designated as a lower preset speed limit .)
If the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the
preset speed data is cleared and you must set the speed from
the beginning.
If cancelled by the above cases, the multi−information display
shows nothing and the conventional cruise control enters the
ready mode.
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
417
5
Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control lever, by
depressing the brake pedal or vehicle stability control
activation, pushing the lever up in the “+ RES” direction will
restore the speed set prior to cancellation. However, once the
vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset
speed will not be resumed.
(c) Conventional cruise control mode failure warning
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If the system malfunction is detected when the
conventional cruise control mode is in the ready mode or
operating, the master warning light comes on, a warning
tone sounds and the above message appears.
If this message appears, push the “ON−OFF” button to turn the
system off and then push it again to turn it on. If the setting still
cannot be made or the same message appears again, the
system might have malfunctioned. Although it is no problem
to continue driving, contact your Lexus dealer.
ADAPTIVE VARIABLE SUSPENSION
SYSTEM (GS430 only)
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1
Sport position 2
Normal position
The adaptive variable suspension system controls
suspension and steering, and ensures optimum vehicle
posture and steering capabilities depending on the
driving condition.
Sport mode: Suitable for sporty type driving, such as on
winding mountain roads and high speed driving.
Normal mode: Suitable for ordinary driving.
To turn on the sport mode, push the selector switch on the
“SPORT” side. The indicator comes on in the instrument
cluster.
To change to the normal mode, push the switch to the “NORM”
side.

STARTING AND DRIVING
418
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.
G31038

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
420
Traction control system failure warning
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1
GS430 2
GS300
If the traction control system malfunctions, the slip
indicator light (two−wheel drive models only) and brake
system warning light (yellow) come on. At this time, the
above message appears. (GS430 only—In some cases,
the multi−information display shows either “CHECK VSC”
or “CHECK ECB” only.)
If the message appears, the traction control system, vehicle
stability control system and hill−start assist control system do
not work. Although it is no problem to continue driving, have
your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL
SYSTEM
The vehicle stability control system helps provide
comprehensive control of the systems such as anti−lock
brake system, traction control, engine control, etc. This
system automatically controls the brakes and engine to
help prevent the vehicle from skidding when cornering on
a slippery road surface or operating steering wheel
abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle speed is about more
than 15 km/h (9 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the system is in the self−check mode, but does not indicate a
malfunction.

STARTING AND DRIVING
421
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the vehicle stability
control system. Even if the vehicle stability control
system is operating, you must always drive carefully
and attentively to avoid serious injury. Reckless
driving will result in an accident. If the slip indicator
light blinks, sounding an alarm, special care should
be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The size,
manufacturer, brand and tread pattern for all 4 tires
should be the same. If you use the tires other than
specified, or different type or size, the vehicle
stability control system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels, contact your
Lexus dealer.
In situations where the road surface is covered with
ice or snow, your vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.
G31038

Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator
light blinks and an alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
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.
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
422
Vehicle stability control failure warning
G31039

1
GS430 2
GS300
If the vehicle stability control system malfunctions, the
slip indicator light (two−wheel drive models only) and
brake system warning light (yellow) come on. At this time,
the above message appears. (GS430 only—In some
cases, the multi−information display shows either
“CHECK VSC” or “CHECK ECB” only.)
If the message appears, the vehicle stability control system,
traction control system and hill−start assist control system do
not work. Although it is no problem to continue driving, have
your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
HILL−START ASSIST CONTROL
SYSTEM
The hill−start assist control system assists you in starting
to move up a steep or slippery hill. When you start to move
up the hill slope, the system helps to prevent the vehicle
from rolling backward in the interval while you move your
foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the hill−start assist control
system. The vehicle may not be able to start
smoothly on road surfaces or off−road surfaces such
as extremely steep slopes or icy roads, on which
sliding can occur very easily.
Do not use the hill−start assist control system to stop
the vehicle. This system is not designed for stopping
the vehicle on an uphill slope.