2007 Lexus GS350 brakes

173
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
● D
o not try to forcibly open a w indow or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen ar
ea to melt the ice. Wipe
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● T
o ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● R
emove any ice that has accumul ated on the vehicle chassis.
● P
eriodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that
may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the brakes.
■ When driving the v
ehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and dr iv
e at a reduced speed suitable
to road conditions.
■ When parking the v
ehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to “P” without setting the
parking br
ake. The parking brake ma y freeze up, preventing it from
being released.

366
4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• Can the vehicle be hold securely on an incline with the shift lever in “P”?
Brake pedal
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and correct amount of free play?
Brakes
• Pulls to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Function properly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? ( P. 4 2 9 )
Pa r k i n g b r a ke
• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on an
incline?
Seat belts
• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

438
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towing
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the v
ehicle will not move.
● The v
ehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be tem -
porarily towed using a cable or ch ain secur
ed to the emergency towing
eyelet. This should only attempted on hard, surfaced roads for short dis-
tances at low speeds. 
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and oper
ate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and br
akes must be in good condi -
tion.
If towing is necessary, we recommen d having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing service, using a lift-type truck or a flat
bed truck.

Use a safety chain system for all towing , a
nd abide by all state/provincial
and local laws.
The wheels and axle on the ground must be in good condition. 
If they are damaged, use a to wing dolly
or flat bed truck.

5
When trouble arises
439
5-1. Essential information
Towing eyelet
■Emergency towing procedureRelease the parking brake.
Put the shift lever in “N”.
The engine switch must be in the “ACC” mode (engine off) or the “IG-
ON” mode (engine on).
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. 
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive stress on
the emergency towing eyelet and the cable or chain.
●If the engine is not running, the power assi st for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground. 
This may cause serious dama ge to the transmission.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

454
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Pushing the tire
pr
essure warning reset switch does not turn off the tire pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such as natural air
le
aks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature. In this case, adjust -
ing the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light.
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 run-flat tires:
• Decelerate to the lowest appropriate speed as soon as possible. Do not drive
over 55 mph (90 km/h).
• 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.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

466
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
(Flashing)
(If equipped)
Yo u r v e h i c l e i s n e a r i n g
the vehicle ahead (in
radar cruise mode).Slow the vehicle by apply-
ing the brakes.
(Flashing)
The transmission is out of
“P” when attempting to
start the engine.Shift the shift lever to “P”
before pressing the
engine switch.
■After changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
Make sure to reset the oil maintenance data. ( P.
3 8 2 )
■Approach warning message
In the following instances, there is the possibil
ity that the approach warning will not
activate even when the vehicle-to-vehicle distance decreases.
●When your vehicle and the vehicle ahead are traveling at the same speed or the
vehicle ahead is traveling more quickly than your vehicle.
●When the vehicle ahead is traveling at a very low speed.
●Immediately after cruise control speed is set.
●At the instant the accelerator pedal is depressed.

5
When trouble arises
471
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection
procedure

An open door has
been closed and
the engine switch
has been turned
twice to the
“A C C ” m o d e f r o m
“OFF” mode.
Press the
engine
switch while
applying the
brakes.

(Flashing)
The steering lock
has not released
within 3 seconds
of pressing the
engine switch.
The engine switch
indicator will flash
green for 15 sec-
onds.Press the
engine
switch again
while turn-
ing the
steering
wheel with
the brake
pedal
depressed.

5
When trouble arises
487
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Changing engine switch modes and starting the engine
Put the shift lever in “P” and apply the brakes.Touch the Lexus emblem side of
the electr
onic key to the engine
switch.
An alarm will sound to indicate that
the start function cannot detect the
electronic key that is touched to
engine switch if any of the doors is
opened and closed while the key is
touched to the switch.
To change engine switch modes: Within 5 seconds of the buzzer
sounding, release the brake peda l and pr
ess the engine switch.
Modes can be changed each time the switch is pressed. (
P. 9 7 ) 
To start the engine: Press the engi ne switch within 5 seconds af
ter
the buzzer sounds, keep the brake pedal depressed.
In the event that the engine still cannot be operated, contact your Lexus
dealer
.
STEP1
STEP2
■Stopping the engine
Shift the shift lever to P and press the engine switch as you normally do when stop-
ping the engine
■Replacing the key battery
As the above procedure is the temporary measure, it is recommended that the
el
ectronic key battery be replaced immediately when the battery depletes. ( P.
411 )
STEP3