2006 Lexus GS430 steering

STARTING AND DRIVING
441
Display
Indicator
statusMeaningsDo this
Tire pressure
warning lightONTire inflation
pressure is
lowAdjust the tireinflation
pressure
Multi
information
displayLOW TIRE
(PRESSURE)
Tire pressure
warning lightBlinkingTire pressure
warning
system
malfunctionHave the
system
checked at
your Lexus
dealer
Multi
information
displayCHECK
(TIRE
PRES-
SURE)
SYSTEM
CAUTION
If the tire pressure warning light comes on, be sure to
observe the following precautions. Failure to do so
could cause loss of vehicle control and result in death
or serious injury.
Vehicles with runflat tires:
 Decelerate to the lowest appropriate speed as soon
as possible. Do not drive over 90 km/h (55 mph).
 Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure
immediately.
 If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after
tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that
you have a flat tire. Have the tire replaced by the
nearest Lexus dealer.
 Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle
tires deteriorate, you could lose control of the
steering wheel or the brakes.
Vehicles with standard tires:
 Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure immediately.
 If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after
tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that
you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If the tire is flat,
change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired
by the nearest Lexus dealer.
 Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle
tires deteriorate, you could lose control of the
steering wheel or the brakes.

DRIVING TIPS
459
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
461

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
462
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 548.
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
465
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 462.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
468
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 348 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.
4. If the engine does not start even after the battery has been
recharged or replaced, see “(d) Starting the engine after a
battery discharge” on page 472.
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”.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
475
CAUTION
If the tire pressure warning light comes on, take
your vehicle to the nearest Lexus dealer or
authorized tire dealer as soon as possible,
observing the following instructions:
Decelerate as soon as possible to the most
appropriate speed that conditions permit. Do
not drive for longer than 160 km (100 miles) or
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.
NOTICE
Do not use liquid sealants for a flat tire as tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters 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 repaired and replaced,
have them repaired and replaced by your Lexus
dealer or an authorized tire dealer. The tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters will
be affected by the installation or removal of
tires.
 When the tires must be replaced, replace the
grommets for tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters as well.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
476
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
(Vehicles with standard tires)
CAUTION
If the 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.
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place − well away
from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center divider of
a highway. Park on a level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission
in ”P”.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away
from traffic. 5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
CAUTION
When jacking, be
sure to observe the following to
reduce the possibility of personal injury:
 Follow jacking instructions.
 Do not put any part of your body under a vehicle
supported by a jack. Otherwise, personal injury
may occur.
 Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle
is supported by the jack.
 Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly
set the parking brake and put the transmission
in ”P”. Block the wheel diagonally opposite to
the one being changed if necessary.
 Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack
point. Raising the vehicle with jack improperly
positioned will damage the vehicle or may allow
the vehicle to fall off the jack and cause
personal injury.
 Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is
supported by the jack alone.