2006 Lexus GS430 brake
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STARTING AND DRIVING
431
Drum in disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum−in−disc type parking brake system.
This type of brake system needs bedding−down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes
and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding −down.
Brake assist system
When you slam the brakes on, the brake assist system
judges as an emergency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold down the brake pedal
firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more powerful braking will be
applied. At this time, you may hear a sound in the engine
compartment and feel the vibrations of the brake pedal. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist system becomes operative after the vehicle
has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h
(6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle decelerates to a
speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
The brake assist system may not work for about 60 seconds
after the engine is started.
For an explanation of this system’s warning light, see “ABS”
warning light on page 78 or 430.
BRAKE PAD WEAR LIMIT
INDICATORS
G31006
The brake pad wear limit indicators on your disc brakes
give a warning noise when the brake pads are worn to the
extent that replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving, have
the brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible. Expensive rotor damage can result if the
pads are not replaced when needed.
GS430 front brake only—
The high brake performance is achieved by proper wear of
brake pads and discs. As a result, the brake discs may wear
earlier than the ones on the conventional brake system.
When brake pads are replaced, brake disc thickness is
required to be measured.
It is dangerous to continue driving when brake pads and discs
have exceeded the wear limit.
Page 456 of 622
STARTING AND DRIVING
435
CAUTION
If the low tire pressure warning light comes on, take
your vehicle to the nearest Lexus dealer or authorized
tire dealer or gas station as soon as possible, observing
the following instructions:
Decelerate as soon as possible to the most
appropriate speed that conditions permit. Do not
drive over 90 km/h (55 mph).
Avoid abrupt steering wheel maneuvering and
braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could
lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes,
causing death or serious injury.
The warning system may not activate immediately if
bursts or sudden air leakage should occur.
When the tyre pressure warning system warning light is
lit, one or more of your tyres is significantly
under inflated. You should stop and check your tyres
as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the vehicle’s tyre information
placard. Driving on a significantly under inflated tire
causes the tyre to overheat and can lead to tyre failure.
Under inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tyre
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Each tyre, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as specified in the
vehicle placard and owner’s manual.
NOTICE
Do not use liquid sealants for a flat tire as tire
pressure sensors will be damaged.
Take due care not to go over a curb stone and be
careful of the holes in the road because deflated tire
pressure affects tire cushion performance. The
wheels, tires, body, suspension and other
components could be damaged.
Your ground clearance is reduced if the run flat tire
goes flat so avoid driving over obstacles and drive
slowly on rough, unpaved roads and speed bumps.
Also, do not attempt to go through an automatic car
wash as the vehicle may get caught, resulting in
damage.
When the tires must be replaced, have them replaced
by the nearest Lexus dealer or authorized tire dealer.
The tire pressure sensor will be affected by the
installation or removal of tires.
When the tires must be replaced, replace the
grommets for tire pressure sensors as well.
Page 457 of 622
STARTING AND DRIVING
436Vehicles with standard tires:
Stop your vehicle at a safe place as soon as possible and
check that the tire inflation pressure
is as specified on the tire
and loading information label. If the low tire pressure warning
light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjustment, it
is probable that you have a flat tire. If the tire goes flat, change
to the spare tire. (See page 469.)
The spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure sensor.
So, the low tire pressure warning light remains on even if the
spare tire is mounted.
The light goes off a few minutes after air is put into the deflated
tire.
CAUTION
If the low tire pressure warning light comes on, observe
the following instructions:
Decelerate as soon as possible to the most
appropriate speed that conditions permit.
Avoid abrupt steering wheel maneuvering and
braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could
lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes,
causing death or serious injury.
The warning system may not activate immediately if
bursts or sudden air leakage should occur.
When the tyre pressure warning system warning light is
lit, one or more of your tyres is significantly
under inflated. You should stop and check your tyres
as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the vehicle’s tyre information
placard. Driving on a significantly under inflated tire
causes the tyre to overheat and can lead to tyre failure.
Under inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tyre
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Each tyre, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as specified in the
vehicle placard and owner’s manual.
Page 462 of 622
STARTING AND DRIVING
441
To initialize the system, perform the following:
1. Park
the vehicle at a safe place and apply the parking brake.
Stop the engine.
2. Adjust the pressure of all the installed tires to the specified
level. (See “Tires and wheels” on pages 534 and 537.)
3. Start the engine.
4. Push and hold the reset switch until the low tire pressure
warning light blinks three times, and the message
“PRESSURE INITIAL” appears on the multi− information
display.
Do not turn the engine off for about 20 minutes until
initialization is complete.
G31007
When initializing the system, make sure the low tire pressure
warning light blinks three times and the message “PRESSURE
INITIAL” appears on the multi− information display. If the
warning light does not blink three times and the message does
not appear on the multi−information display, initialization failed
and the tire pressure warning system will not function properly.
In this case, initialize the system again.
Do not push the reset switch without adjusting the tire inflation
pressure to the specified level. Otherwise, the low tire
pressure warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation
pressure is low, or it may come on when the tire inflation
pressure is actually normal.
If you push the reset switch while the vehicle is moving,
initialization is not performed.
If the low tire pressure warning light does not blink and the
message does not appear on the multi−information display
when you push and hold the reset switch, have the tire
pressure warning system checked at your Lexus dealer.
Page 466 of 622
STARTING AND DRIVING
445
Pre collision seat belts (Front seat belts only)
When the pre collision sensor detects an object or
vehicle with which your vehicle might collide and
determines that a collision may be unavoidable, the seat
belts are quickly drawn back by the retractors to enhance
the effects of the seat belt pretensioners. The
pre collision seat belts also work as well when hard
braking.
The pre −collision seat belts will operate in the following
conditions:
When the approaching speed in regard to the object or the
vehicle exceeds about 30 km/h (18 mph).
When the front seat occupants wear the seat belts.
In the following conditions, the seat belts are quickly drawn
back by the retractors regardless of the possibility of the
collision:
When the vehicle speed is about 14 km/h (9 mph) or over.
When the vehicle is spinning or cannot take a turn properly.
Pre collision brake assist system
When the pre collision sensor detects an object or
vehicle with which your vehicle might collide, and
determines that a collision may be unavoidable,
depressing the brake pedal provides more powerful
braking according to the amount of pedal depression.
The pre −collision brake assist system will operate in the
following conditions:
When the vehicle speed is about 30 km/h (18 mph) or over.
When the brake pedal is depressed.
When the approaching speed in regard to the object or the
vehicle exceeds about 30 km/h (18 mph).
If the brake pedal is kept depressed before the sensor’s
determination of unavoidable collision, the pre −collision brake
assist system will operate soon after the sensor’s
determination.
Page 469 of 622
STARTING AND DRIVING
448
CAUTION
Do not rely solely on the pre collision system to
avoid accidents. Your safe and attentive driving
practices are still the best way to avoid accidents and
you are always responsible for the operation of the
vehicle and the safety of your passengers. When
driving, always pay attention to the surrounding
conditions and the course you are driving.
The pre collision sensor’s collision detection
performance is limited. The sensor is able to detect
a forward object within 10 degrees on either left or
right side. If it is out of the range, or if there is no or
weak millimeter wave reflection, the sensor could not
detect the object and the system does not work
properly.
Even if the pre collision system is operative in an
unavoidable collision, unless the seat belts are worn
and the brake pedal is depressed, the pre collision
seat belts and pre collision brake assist system will
not work.
NOTICE
Even if there is no object with which your vehicle may
collide, the pre collision system may be activated as
follows:
The pre collision seat belts work to quickly draw
back the front seat belts by the retractors
(pre collision seat belts).
The pre collision brake assist system works to apply
more powerful braking than normal braking.
Page 471 of 622
DRIVING TIPS
450
BREAK IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break−in schedule with your new Lexus.
But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles)
can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle:
Avoid full throttle acceleration when starting and driving.
Avoid racing the engine.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast
or slow.
OPERATION IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel (unleaded
and minimum octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you
much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle.
Avoid driving onto high, sharp −edged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire
damage such as a tire burst.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps or travelling on a
bumpy road. Otherwise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch
the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking
brake, and place the transmission in ”P”. If necessary, block
the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get
the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you and then press the pedal lightly.
If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are
probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while
lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake
applied. If they still do not work safel y, pull to the side of the
road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.
Page 472 of 622
DRIVING TIPS
451
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the
engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear,
and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed
and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and not work
properly. See page 359.
Be careful when accelerating, upshifting,
downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed, such as sudden
acceleration or engine braking, could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.
Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive
over 140 km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle has
high speed capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h
(85 mph) 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.
Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are
wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer
stopping distance, and it may pull to one side when
the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake will
not hold the vehicle securely.