2006 Lexus GS430 steering

STARTING AND DRIVING
433
CAUTION
If the electric power steering system warning light
comes on, take your vehicle to your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible. In this case, more effort is required
for the steering wheel to turn than usual. Drive your
vehicle while firmly gripping the steering wheel.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNINGSYSTEM
G31003
Low tire pressure warning light
The light warns you that the tire inflation pressure is low.
The low tire pressure warning light comes on when the engine
switch is selected in “IG−ON” mode and goes off after a few
seconds. This means the low tire pressure warning light is
operating properly. If the tire inflation pressure becomes low,
the light comes on again. At this time, the master warning light
comes on and the message “LOW TIRE” appears on the
multi−information display.

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
underinflated. 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 underinflated tire
causes the tyre to overheat and can lead to tyre failure.
Underinflation 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 runflat 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.

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
underinflated. 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 underinflated tire
causes the tyre to overheat and can lead to tyre failure.
Underinflation 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.

DRIVING TIPS
453
Keep ice
and snow from accumulating under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering
difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you
carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains,
window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
DINGHY TOWING
G32001
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four
wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to your vehicle.

DRIVING TIPS
455

Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop−and−go driving wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traf fic signals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc.
This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent
corrosion. 
Keep your vehicle tunedup and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the “Owner’s Manual
Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance”.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your
power steering and brake booster will not function
without the engine running. Also, the emission control
system operates properly only when the engine is
running.

DRIVING TIPS
456
VEHICLE LOAD LIMITS
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating
capacity, towing capacity and cargo capacity . Follow the
load limits shown below. Total load capacity and seating
capacity are also described on the tire and loading
information label. For location of the tire and loading
information label, see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
on page 539.
Total load capacity: 370 kg (815 lb.)
Total load capacity means combined weight of
occupants, cargo and luggage.
Seating capacity: Total 5 (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of
occupants whose estimated average weight is 68 kg
(150 lb.) per person. Depending on the weight of each
person, the seating capacity given may exceed the total
load capacity.
NOTICE
Even if the number of occupants are within the
seating capacity, do not exceed the total load
capacity.
Towing capacity
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.
Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on
the size (weight) and the number of occupants. For
details, see “Capacity and distribution” that follows.
CAUTION
Do not apply the load more than each load limit.
That may cause not only damage to the tires, but
also deterioration to the steering ability and
braking ability, which may cause an accident.

DRIVING TIPS
459
Example on your vehicle
32SA03
 1Cargo capacity 2Total load capacity
In case that 2 people with the combined weight of 166 kg
(366 lb.) are riding in your vehicle with the total load
capacity of 370 kg (815 lb.), the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity will be as follows:
370 kg – 166 kg = 204 kg.
(815 lb. – 366 lb. = 449 lb.)
From this condition, if 3 more passengers with the
combined weight of 176 kg (388 lb.) get on, the available
cargo and luggage load will be reduced as follows:
204 kg – 176 kg = 28 kg.
(449 lb. – 388 lb. = 61 lb.) As shown in the above example, if the number of
occupants increases, the cargo and luggage load
equaling the
combined weight of occupants who got on
later must be reduced. In other words, if the increase in
the number of occupants causes the excess of the total
load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus cargo
and luggage load), you have to reduce the cargo and
luggage on your vehicle.
For details about total load capacity, see “Vehicle load
limits” on page 456.CAUTION
Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the
cargo load is less than the total load capacity, do
not apply the load unevenly. That may cause not
only damage to the tire but also deterioration to
the steering ability due to unbalance of the
vehicle, causing an accident.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
462
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILEDRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving . . .
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move
cautiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Turn the engine switch off, and try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see ”If your vehicle will not start”\
.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the
brakes and steering will not work, so steering and
braking will be much harder than usual.
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the
correct starting procedure instructions in ”Operating the
engine switch” on page 342 and that you have sufficient fuel.
Since your vehicle is equipped with the engine immobilizer,
also check whether the other keys will start the engine. If they
work, your electronic key may be broken. Have the key
checked at your Lexus dealer. If none of your keys work, there
may be a malfunction in the engine immobilizer. Call your
Lexus dealer. See ”Keys” on page 8.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too
slowly
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked,
the battery is discharged. You may try jump starting. See ”(c)
Jump starting” for further instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside
Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
”Foreword”.)