2006 Lexus GS430 ECO mode

STARTING AND DRIVING
356
Starting the engine
Normal starting procedure
G31035
When depressing the brake pedal while carrying an
electronic key, make sure the green engine switch
indicator light comes on. And then push the engine
switch to start the engine.
If you press the engine switch while the brake pedal is
depressed and the transmission is in “P” or “N”, the engine will
start even if initially in “OFF”, “ACC” or “IG −ON” mode.
If you start the engine in “OFF” mode, the engine immobilizer
is disabled, and the security indicator light goes off.
If you push the engine switch while the brake pedal is
depressed with the transmission not in “P” or “N”, “IG −ON”
mode will be selected with the engine not running. If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See ”If your vehicle will not start” on page 468.
NOTICE

Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
357
STARTING THE ENGINE WHEN THE ELECTRONIC KEY
BATTERY IS DISCHARGED
If the electronic key battery is discharged, the engine can
be started using the following procedure.
5. Unlock the door with the
mechanical key and bring the
electronic key into the vehicle.
G11038
6. While the brake pedal is depressed, hold the ornament side
of the electronic key about 10 mm (0.4 in.) over the engine
switch as shown.
7. Within 5 seconds of the chime sounding, push the engine
switch with the brake pedal depressed to start the engine.
When you push the engine switch with the brake pedal not
depressed at this time, the engine will not start, but it is possible
to select “ACC”, “IG− ON” and “OFF” mode.
If it is not possible to start the engine or change the mode using
this procedure, contact your Lexus dealer. In addition, we recommend that the electronic key battery be
changed as soon as possible.
Stopping the engine
G31036
If you press the engine switch while the selector lever is
in “P” and the engine is running, regardless of brake pedal
position, the engine will be turned off.
With the transmission not in “P”, the engine switch is selected
in “ACC” mode.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, press the engine switch for more than 3
seconds. At this time, “ACC” mode is selected.
Several hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear a
sound coming from underneath the luggage compartment for
several minutes. This is normal operation and does not
indicate a malfunction. (See page vi.)

STARTING AND DRIVING
361
(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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
366
(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\
).

STARTING AND DRIVING
367
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).

STARTING AND DRIVING
371
ELECTRONIC THROTTLECONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always maintains
appropriate engine output in relation to the accelerator
opening in all driving conditions.
G31023
 1Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
The electronic throttle control system has 3 modes:
normal, power and snow modes.
Normal mode: For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use this mode to improve fuel economy.
Power mode: For more powerful acceleration and sporty
driving. 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.
To return to the normal mode, push the
driving pattern selector
switch lightly on the “SNOW” side.
Snow mode: For slippery road surfaces such as in snow. In
this mode, the spinning of the rear wheels is controlled
appropriately.
When you push the driving pattern selector switch on the
“SNOW” side, the snow mode is turned on and the ”ECT
SNOW” light in the instrument cluster comes on.
To return to the normal mode, push the driving pattern selector
switch on the “SNOW” side again.
When you turn the engine switch off in the snow mode, the
electronic throttle control system automatically changes to the
normal mode.

STARTING AND DRIVING
373
G31050
To use the intuitive parking assist, push the main switch
in the switch box with the engine switch in “IGON” mode.
Pushing the main switch again will turn the intuitive
parking assist off.
When you push the main switch, the indicator light in the
instrument cluster comes on and a beep sounds for one
second, indicating that the intuitive parking assist is turned on.
The intuitive parking assist will remain on even after turning the
engine switch to “OFF” and then to “IG−ON” mode with the
main switch on. However, a beep does not sound at this time.
If an error is detected in the intuitive parking assist while
self−checking, beeps sound and a warning appears in the
multi−information display and on the screen. For details, see
“Intuitive parking assist failure warning” on page 385.
Where to display
G31051
 Multiinformation display

STARTING AND DRIVING
415
The approach warning may not turn on even if the
vehicle drives closer to the vehicle ahead in the
following conditions:
♦ Your vehicle and the vehicle ahead are cruising at
almost the same speed.
♦ The vehicle ahead is cruising at a faster speed than
yours. (The distance between the vehicles will
become longer.)
♦ Pay special attention to the very slow vehicle at the
end of the line in heavy traffic or at the tollgate.
♦ Immediately after the speed setting.
♦ The accelerator pedal is depressed or immediately
after the release of the accelerator pedal.(g) Millimeter wave radar sensor
G31019a
 1 Millimeter wave grille cover
2Millimeter wave radar sensor
The millimeter wave radar sensor is used for
vehicletovehicle distance control cruising. When the
millimeter wave radar sensor is disabled for some reason,
the warning message appears on the multiinformation
display. For details, see “Vehicletovehicle distance
control mode failure warning” on page 417.