2006 Lexus GS430 transmission

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359
The buzzer will remind you to release the parking brake when
the vehicle speed rises above 5 km/h (3mph) with the parking
brake is applied. At this time the master warning light blinks
and the message “PARK BRAKE” appears on the
multi−information display.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully
released
and that the parking brake reminder light is off.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the engine switch in
“IGON” mode. ( )
G31021

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360
The shift position or shift range position is displayed
on the instrument cluster.
P: Parking and engine starting
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive
possible)
S: “S” mode driving
+: Upshifting
–: Downshifting Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Driving in “S” mode
(c) Using engine braking
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever

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(a) Normal driving
G31022
 1“P” (Park) position 2“N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “Operating the engine
switch” on page 348.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N” position. The engine wi\
ll
not start in any drive position even if engine switch is pushed
while the brake pedal is depressed.
G31023
 1 Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the normal
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select power, normal or snow mode to suit your
driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends
that you use the normal mode to improve fuel economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use
the power position.
In the power mode, the “ECT PWR” light in the instrument
cluster is on and the most suitable shift pattern is selected
depending on the driver’s operation of accelerator and brake
pedal and on the vehicle condition. See “Automatic shifting
point change control” on page 363.
For snow mode, see “Electronic Throttle Control System”
on page 371.

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G31024
 1Brake pedal 2“D” (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Shifting into the overdrive gear is possible when the
transmission is in any position of “D”, “6” (six range), “\
5” (fifth
range) of “S” position. However, while the engine coolant
temperature is low, the transmission will not shift into the
overdrive gear even in the above specified position. (See “(c)
Using engine braking” and “(f) Good driving practice” for
exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
5. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see “(c) Using engine braking”.

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G31026
Shift range position indicator
The shift range position is displayed on the instrument cluster.
 Shift range positions
“6” (sixth range): The most suitable gear is automatically
selected between first and overdrive (sixth) gears according
to vehicle speed and driving conditions. Always use the “6”
(sixth range) position to improve fuel economy and for quiet
driving.
“5” (fifth range): The most suitable gear is automatically
selected between first and overdrive (fifth) gears according
to vehicle speed and driving conditions. This range is
suitable for acceleration such as when you want to pass a
vehicle running ahead of you during high speed driving. “4” (fourth range): The most suitable gear is automatically
selected between
first and fourth gears according to vehicle
speed and driving conditions. In the “4” (fourth range)
position, the automatic transmission system will select the
most suitable gear to handle current running conditions
such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
“3” (third range): The most suitable gear is automatically
selected between first and third gears according to vehicle
speed and driving conditions. This range is best used when
stronger engine braking is necessary.
“2” (second range): First or second gear will automatically
be selected according to vehicle speed and driving
conditions. This range is to be used when engine braking
stronger than that of the “3” (third range) position is
necessary.
“1” (first range): This gear is fixed in first regardless of
vehicle speed or driving conditions. This range is to be used
when maximum engine braking is necessary.
If you attempt to downshift the transmission when it is not
possible to downshift due to high vehicle speed, a warning tone
sounds twice.

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(c) Using engine braking
G31027
“S” mode position
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the range in
the “S” mode position as follows:
 Shift into the “5” (fifth range) position. The transmission will
downshift to fifth gear and engine braking will be enabled.
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and “5” (fifth range) will automatically \
be
selected.
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “–” position by selecting the “5” (fifth ran\
ge). When
the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift
from “D” or “6” (sixth range) to “5” (fifth range)\
, engine
braking will not be enabled because the cruise control is not
cancelled. For vehicle speed reduction, see page 400.
Vehicles with the dynamic radar cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used in the conventional
(fixed speed) cruise control mode or in the
vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode, even if you
downshift from “D” or “6” (sixth range) to “5” (fif\
th range),
engine braking will not be enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled. For vehicle speed reduction, see
pages 423 and 411.
 Shift into the “4” (fourth range) position. The transmission
will downshift to fourth gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than the speed listed below and more
powerful engine braking will be enabled.
GS430 193 km/h (120 mph)
GS300 (2WD) 187 km/h (116 mph)
GS300 (4WD) 178 km/h (111 mph)
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and shift the lever down to the “–” posi\
tion
once to select “4” (fourth range). However, when you move
the lever to the “S” position while the AI shifting control is
operating, the first shift range will be “5” (fifth range), “4”
(fourth range) or “3” (third range) because the suitable shift
range is selected depending on the driving condition.
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “–” position to select the “4” (fourth range\
).

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When
the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift
from “D” or “5” (fifth range) to “4” (fourth range)\
, engine
braking will not be enabled because the cruise control is not
cancelled. For vehicle speed reduction, see page 400.
Vehicles with the dynamic radar cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used in the conventional
(fixed speed) cruise control mode or in the
vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode, even if you
downshift from “D” or “5” (fifth range) to “4” (fourth range),
engine braking will not be enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled. For vehicle speed reduction, see
pages 423 and 411.
 Shift into the “3” (third range) position. The transmission will
downshift to third gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than the speed listed below and more
powerful engine braking will be enabled.
GS430 144 km/h (90 mph)
GS300 (2WD) 135 km/h (84 mph)
GS300 (4WD) 129 km/h (80 mph)
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and shift the lever down to the “–” posi\
tion
twice to select the “3” (third range). However, when you
move the lever to the “S” position while the AI shifting control
is operating, the first shift range will be “5” (fifth range), “\
4”
(fourth ra nge) or “3” (third range) because the suitable shift
range is selected depending on the driving condition.
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “–” position to select “3” (third range). 
Shift into the “2” (second range) position. The transmission
will downshift to second gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than the speed listed below and more
powerful engine braking than that of the “3” (third range)
position will be enabled.
GS430 98 km/h (61 mph)
GS300 (2WD) 93 km/h (58 mph)
GS300 (4WD) 89 km/h (55 mph)
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and shift the lever down to the “–” posi\
tion
three times to select “2” (second range).
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “–” position to select “2” (second range).
 Shift into the “1” (first range) position. The transmission will
downshift to first gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes
lower than the speed listed below and maximum engine
braking will be enabled.
GS430 37 km/h (23 mph)
GS300 (2WD) 38 km/h (23 mph)
GS300 (4WD) 36 km/h (22 mph)
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and shift the lever down to the “–” posi\
tion
four times to select “1” (first range).
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “–” position to select “1” (first range).

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(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope, shift
the selector lever to the “4” position. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the slope.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the parking brake to hold
the vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the
vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can cause
the transmission to overheat.
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see “If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 496.