2006 Lexus GS300 steering wheel

STARTING AND DRIVING
346If you push the engine switch while the brake pedal is
depressed with the transmission not in “P” or “N”, “IG−ON”
mode is selected with the engine not running.
It is not a malfunction if the needles on all meters and gauges
move slightly when selected in “IG−ON” mode.
NOTICE
Do not leave the engine switch in “IG−ON” mode while
the engine is not running. The battery will be
discharged.
“OFF” mode
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This mode turns the engine and all accessories off.
To select the “OFF” mode from “IG−ON” mode:
If the engine is not running, push the engine switch once
while the brake pedal is not depressed.
If the engine is running, push the engine switch once
regardless of brake pedal position while the vehicle is
completely stopped.
To select the “OFF” mode from “ACC” mode, push the engine
switch twice while the brake pedal is not depressed.
The engine immobilizer is automatically set, the security
indicator light blinks and the engine switch indicator light is
turned off. (For details, see “Engine immobilizer” on page 11.)
The steering wheel can be locked only in this mode.

STARTING AND DRIVING
347
Steering lock
The steering wheel is locked in “OFF” mode.
When the steering lock is activated, you may hear a sound
coming from the steering column, it is not a malfunction. If you
select the “OFF” mode while the driver’s door is open, the
steering wheel is not locked until the driver’s door is closed.
If you select the mode other than “OFF” or start the engine, the
steering lock is disabled.
If there is trouble somewhere in the steering lock system, either
of the following warning messages will appear on the
multi−information display.
S/T IS NOT UNLOCKED
CHECK S/T LOCK
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When pushing the engine switch while the brake pedal is
depressed, the steering lock is not unlocked if load is
applied to the steering wheel, and the above message
appears.
The engine will not start. At this time, the master warning light
comes on and the engine switch indicator light blinks green.

STARTING AND DRIVING
348
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To start the engine in this condition, push the engine
switch again while turning the steering wheel in either
direction as shown in the above illustration.
The steering wheel is unlocked, and the engine will start.
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If the steering lock system is malfunctioning, the above
message appears.
At this time, the master warning light comes on and the engine
switch indicator light blinks amber. The engine will not start.
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
349
How to start the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions.
CRANKING HOLD FUNCTION
Once you push the engine switch while the brake pedal is
depressed, the cranking hold function continues to crank the
engine in “IG−ON” mode until it starts.
The function stops cranking the engine after about 25 seconds
at maximum if the engine has not started yet. When you crank
the engine again, wait a few seconds and restart it.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle,
seat cushion height, head restraint height and steering wheel
angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when the engine switch is selected in “IG−ON” mode,
and check the fuel gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.BEFORE CRANKING
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ”P”. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in ”N”. A
starter safety device will prevent the starter from operating if
the selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving
off.
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air−fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot
engine as follows:

STARTING AND DRIVING
371 (B) Collision will be avoided by changing the steering
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3
About 50 cm (1.5 ft.) to about 100 cm (3.0 ft.)
4
About 37.5 cm (1.1 ft.) to about 50 cm (1.5 ft.)
5
About 25 cm (0.8 ft.) to about 37.5 cm (1.1 ft.)
The steering guide symbol and the arrow indicating which
direction should be steered appear along with the bar
indicators and beeps.The above illustration indicates that the collision will be
avoided by turning the steering wheel clockwise.
When the possibility that the distance between the vehicle and
the obstacle is less than about 25 cm (0.8 ft.) is eliminated by
turning the steering wheel more, the steering guide symbol will
go out and the beeps will stop sounding.
The steering guide symbol and arrow are not instructions
you must observe. They are just a guide to avoid a
collision.
1
Multi−information display:
The indicator bars will come on depending on the
distance to the obstacle . The steering guide symbol and
arrow will also come on.
2
Screen:
The indicator bars will come on in yellow depending on
the distance to the obstacle. The steering guide symbol
and arrow will also come on. In addition, the current
direction of the tires is also indicated in 3 stages.
Beeps:
As distance to the obstacle gets closer, the interval of the
intermittent sound gets shorter, and then finally to a continuous
sound when the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle
is less than about 25 cm (0.8 ft.).

STARTING AND DRIVING
380When the steering sensor is malfunctioning
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If the steering sensor cable is broken and signals cannot
be received, the vehicle symbol comes on and the
steering guide symbol and arrows flash.
If only the steering sensor is malfunctioning, the warning
appears only on the multi−information display.
If this warning appears, have the sensor checked by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.When the neutral point of the steering sensor is unknown
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If the memorized neutral point of the steering is erased by
replacing the battery, the vehicle symbol, steering guide
symbol and arrows come on.
If only the neutral point of the steering sensor is unknown, the
warning appears only on the multi−information display.
If this warning appears, calibrate the neutral point of the
steering using either of the following:
Turn the steering wheel either way fully and then in the
opposite direction fully and slowly, with the vehicle stopped.
Drive on roads (with as few curves as possible and without
backing up) for more than about 5 minutes.
If this warning goes out, the calibration of the steering neutral
point is completed. If the warning still remains on, have the
sensor checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.

STARTING AND DRIVING
405
5
Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed has been cancelled, when you push the
lever up in the “+ RES” direction while “RADAR READY”
shows up on the multi−information display and at a vehicle
speed of about more than 40 km/h (25 mph), the speed set
prior to cancellation will be restored.
During follow−up cruising, if there are no vehicles running
ahead because they have changed lanes, your vehicle will
accelerate gradually up to the preset speed.CAUTION
Deceleration cruising function and approach
warning do not operate when the vehicle ahead is at
a stop or driving very slowly.
While vehicle−to−vehicle distance control is on (on
follow−up cruising), acceleration and deceleration
are automatically performed in proportion to the
speed of the vehicle ahead detected. However, if the
vehicle ahead of you decelerates abruptly or if
another vehicle cuts in ahead of you, your vehicle
may collide with the vehicle ahead unless you
manually depress the brake pedal to slow down your
vehicle. If you need to accelerate because the vehicle
ahead or you changes lanes, then depress the
acceleration pedal.
Depending on the road configuration (curved roads,
left and right continuous curved roads, driving at the
start or end of the curve, narrow driving lanes due to
road construction) or your vehicle condition
(steering wheel maneuvering, position in the lane or
unstable driving because of an accident or
breakdown), vehicles in other lanes or surrounding
objects will be detected, resulting in a control failure
or the activated approach warning. This may also
result in a very close distance between vehicles due
to a failure to detect the vehicle ahead. Maneuvering
the steering wheel in response to a violent lateral
wind will cause similar conditions.

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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.