2006 Lexus GS430 brakes

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
75
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions occurs, immediately
stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
 The light does not turn off even after the parking
brake is released while the engine is running.
In this case, the brakes may not work properly and
your stopping distance will become longer. Depress
the brake pedal firmly and bring the vehicle to an
immediate stop.
 The brake system warning light remains on together
with the “ABS” warning light.
In this case, not only the antilock brake system will
fail but also the vehicle will become extremely
unstable during braking.
GS430 only—Any of the following conditions may occur,
but do not indicate the malfunction:
The light may stay on for about 60 seconds after the engine
is started. It is normal if it turns off after a while.
 Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the
warning light and buzzer. It is normal if the light turns off and
the buzzer stops sounding after a few seconds. 
You may hear a small sound in the engine compartment
after the engine is started or the brake pedal is depressed
repeatedly. This is a pump pulsating sound of the brake
system, and it is not a malfunction.
(b) Brake System Warning Light (yellow)
The light comes on when the engine switch is selected in
“IG−ON” mode.
GS430—If the engine is started, and the traction control
system, vehicle stability control system and hill −start assist
control system work properly, the light turns off after a few
seconds. Thereafter, if any part of the system malfunctions,
the light comes on again.
GS300—If the engine switch is selected in “IG −ON” mode, and
the traction control system, vehicle stability control system and
hill −start assist control system work properly, the light turns off
after a few seconds. Thereafter, if any part of the system
malfunctions, the light comes on again.
Although it is no problem to continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
(c) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
The light and buzzer act as a reminder to have the driver buckle
up the seat belt.

STARTING AND DRIVING
368
Indicators and steering guide symbol
G31053
 1Detection by dual sensors
2Detection by rear corner sensors
3Detection by back sensors
4Steering guide symbol (See page 371)
The approximate distance to the obstacle is shown with up to
4 bars on the front, front corners and rear of the vehicle and up
to 3 bars on the rear corners of the vehicle.
CAUTION
To avoid an accident or injury, observe the following
instructions, and then drive slowly using the brakes
while confirming a safe distance around your vehicle
with your eyes.
 The sensor detection range is limited around the
bumper. Be sure to confirm safety outside sensor
detection with your eyes. For the sensor detection
range, see page 376.
 It might take time for the sensors to detect the
obstacle.
 Depending on the shape of the obstacle, indicators or
beeps may not warn you properly, and the detection
range may also be shortened.
 It might be difficult to hear beeps due to the volume
of audio or air flow noise of air conditioning.

STARTING AND DRIVING
376The warning for the obstacle closer to the vehicle will be
issued.
The above illustration indicates the obstacle detected
by the back sensors is closer to the vehicle. So, the warning for
the obstacle detected by the back sensors will be given.
2 The obstacle detected on the front or rear of the
vehicle is in an area where continuous beeping
should sound:
If the possibility of collision with the obstacle is high as shown,
the system warns the driver by continuous beeping (repeating
6 intermittent beeps and one longer beep as one cycle).
3 Both obstacles detected on the front and rear of the
vehicle are in areas where continuous beeping
should sound:
If the possibility of collision with the obstacles is very high as
shown, the system warns the driver by continuous beeping
(repeating 2 quick beeps and one longer beep as one cycle).
CAUTION
It might be difficult to hear beeps due to the volume of
audio or air flow noise of air conditioning. To avoid an
accident or injury, drive slowly using the brakes while
confirming a safe distance around your vehicle with
your eyes.
Detection range of sensors*
G31061
 1 About 3 m (10 ft.) 2About 1 m (3 ft.)
3About 1m 50 cm (5 ft.) 4About 50 cm (1.5 ft.)
The sensor detection range is limited around the bumper.
Be sure to confirm a safe distance around your vehicle
and drive slowly.

STARTING AND DRIVING
397
(a) Dynamic radar cruise control operations
G31012
The dynamic radar cruise control function operates
automatically and depending on whether a vehicle is
detected ahead
may change the speed of your vehicle as
follows: If no vehicle is running ahead of you:
1
Cruising at a fixed speed: If there is no vehicle detected
ahead, your cruising speed is maintained at the preset
speed from about 45 km/h (28 mph) to about 135 km/h (85
mph). The preset speed is displayed in the
multi−information display. For the vehicle speed setting,
see “Setting operation ” on page 402.
If a vehicle is detected ahead of you:
2 Deceleration cruising function: If a slower moving
vehicle is detected ahead of you, your vehicle cruising
speed decreases within the range of about 40 km/h (25
mph) to about 135 km/h (85 mph). The multi− information
display shows the preset speed, the detected vehicle
ahead and selected vehicle− to−vehicle distance. If your
vehicle gets closer to the vehicle ahead because of
insufficient automatic deceleration, then the warning tone
warns you to also manually apply brakes.
3 Followup cruising function: After deceleration, your
vehicle cruising speed changes in proportion to the speed
of the vehicle ahead to maintain an appropriate distance
from your vehicle to the vehicle ahead. The
vehicle −to−vehicle distance can be changed. For details,
see “Changing vehicle −to−vehicle distance setting” on
page 406.
4 Acceleration cruising function: If the vehicle ahead
changes lanes, your vehicle cruising speed will be
gradually increased up to the preset speed, and your
vehicle resumes fixed− speed cruising.

STARTING AND DRIVING
398
CAUTION
Under certain conditions where the vehicle in front
slows drastically, or is stopped, the dynamic radar
cruise control will neither warn you nor decelerate. The
driver must depress the brake pedal to slow down,
ensuring collision avoidance or that sufficient
vehicletovehicle distance is maintained.
When vehicle−to−vehicle distance control mode is activated,
you must still be attentive to road and traf fic conditions. Should
your vehicle speed decrease below about 40 km/h (25 mph),
the dynamic radar cruise control will shut off, requiring you to
apply the brakes to slow. When a vehicle ahead slows
suddenly, stops or a vehicle cuts in front, the system may slow
your vehicle abruptly, but the automatic braking will cease if the
speed decreases below about 40 km/h (25 mph) requiring the
driver’s manual application of brakes.
CAUTION
Certain conditions make vehicle detection difficult or
impossible.
 As this system operates by detecting primarily the
reflected wave from the rear end of the vehicle ahead,
the distance cannot be accurately detected in the
following cases, resulting in improper
vehicletovehicle distance.
♦ The rear section of the vehicle ahead is extremely
small such as an unloaded trailer.
♦ The vehicle ahead or other vehicles around you
are flinging up water or snow.
♦ Heavy luggage which is loaded in your trunk or on
top of your rear seats is raising up the nose of your
vehicle.
 The millimeter wave radar sensor automatically
detects dirt if it is sticking to the front of the sensor
or cover of your vehicle, and if detected, a message
appears on the multiinformation display. However,
if the sensor or cover is covered with a metallic vinyl
bag, icicle, snowflakes, etc., dirt may not be detected,
resulting in improper vehicletovehicle distance.
Continue driving with due care to the vehicle ahead.
If dirt is detected, the dynamic radar cruise control
function is automatically cancelled. Always keep the
sensor and cover clean.

STARTING AND DRIVING
403
2Cancelling 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 display shows
“RADAR READY” and the dynamic radar 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 case, the preset speed automatically
cancels out. At this time, the multiinformation display
shows “RADAR READY” and the dynamic radar cruise
control enters the ready mode.
The vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph). (40
km/h (25 mph) is designated as a cancel speed.)
CAUTION
In this case, the warning tone reminds you that the
dynamic radar cruise control is cancelled and you must
apply the brakes to slow the vehicle.
In the following cases, the warning messages appear and
the preset speed automatically cancels out. When
dynamic radar cruise control is restored, the warning
messages turn off and dynamic radar cruise control
enters “RADAR READY” mode.
a. The slip indicator light blinks and a warning tone sounds.
(This occurs when the vehicle is about to skid.)
b. The driving pattern selector switch is set to snow mode.
c. The anti −lock brake system is activated by automatic
braking. (The warning tone sounds.)
d. The sensor does not operate properly because a foreign
matter sticks to the sensor.
e. The wipers are operated at high speed (including high
speed operation with the wiper lever in the “AUTO” position.)
NOTICE
If the preset speed automatically cancels out for other
than the above reasons, do not operate the dynamic
radar 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
407
(e) Braking control
Dynamic radar cruise control is not a collision avoidance
system. If an approach warning is activated, depress the brake
pedal to decelerate to ensure an appropriate
vehicle
−to−vehicle distance.
G31017
 1
Under the vehicletovehicle distance control
2Braking activated
Braking control is operating only when the vehicle −to− vehicle
distance control mode is selected and your vehicle speed
exceeds about 40 km/h (25 mph).
If you are getting closer to the vehicle ahead at relatively higher
speed than those of the vehicle ahead or if engine braking
cannot be applied properly, braking control is automatically
activated. At this time, “BRAKE” flashes on the
multi−information display, indicating that the brakes are being
used.
CAUTION
Braking control will not ensure that your vehicle will
reduce speed appropriately. Do not rely on dynamic
radar cruise control to prevent collision.

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.