2008 Lexus GS350 parking brake

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
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1-1. Key information ........................... 20Keys ...................................................... 20
1-2. Opening, closing and locking 
the doors and trunk .................. 22
Smart access system with  push-button start .......................... 22
Wireless remote control .............. 34
Doors.................................................... 37
Trunk..................................................... 42
1-3. Adjustable components 
(seats, mirrors, 
steering wheel) .......................... 45
Front seats .......................................... 45
Driving position memory 
system ............................................... 47
Head restraints.................................. 51
Seat belts ............................................ 53
Steering wheel.................................. 60
Inside rear view mirror ................... 61
Outside rear view mirrors ........... 62
1-4. Opening and closing the 
windows and moon roof .......... 64
Power windows................................ 64
Moon roof .......................................... 67 1-5. Refueling ........................................ 70
Opening the fuel tank cap........... 70
1-6. Theft deterrent system............... 73 Immobilizer system ........................ 73
Alarm.................................................... 75
Theft prevention labels 
(U.S.A.) ............................................. 77
1-7. Safety information ....................... 78 Correct driving posture ............... 78
SRS airbags ...................................... 80
Front passenger occupant 
classification system .................... 92
Child restraint sy stems ................. 98
Installing child restraints ............. 102
2-1. Driving procedures.................... 112 Driving the vehicle .......................... 112
Engine (ignit ion) switch ................ 121
Automatic transmission.............. 125
Turn signal lever............................. 130
Parking brake ................................... 131
2-2. Instrument cluster ..................... 132 Gauges and meters ..................... 132
Indicators and warning 
lights................................................. 136
Multi-information display........... 139
1Before driving
2When driving

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Pictorial indexInstrument panel
Headlight switch
Turn signal lever
Fog light switch P. 142
P. 130
P. 145
Gauges and meters P. 132
Multi-information display P. 139Windshield wipers and
washer switch
P. 146
Parking brake pedal P. 131
Trunk opener main switch
P. 42
Glove box
P. 341
Hood lock release lever P. 403
“ENGINE START STOP” switch P. 121
Trunk opener P. 42
Fuel filler door opener P. 70

When driving2
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2-1. Driving procedures ........ 112Driving the vehicle................... 112
Engine (ignition) switch .......... 121
Automatic transmission ........ 125
Turn signal lever ....................... 130
Parking brake ............................ 131
2-2. Instrument cluster .......... 132 Gauges and meters ................ 132
Indicators and warning 
lights ......................................... 136
Multi-information display ..... 139 2-3. Operating the lights and

windshield wipers ........ 142
Headlight switch ..................... 142
Fog light switch ........................ 145
Windshield wipers and 
washer ..................................... 146
Headlight cleaner switch ..... 149
2-4. Using other driving 
systems .......................... 150
Cruise control.......................... 150
Dynamic radar cruise 
control ..................................... 153
Intuitive parking assist ........... 164
Rear view monitor 
system....................................... 179
AVS (Adaptive Variable 
Suspension System) ............ 183
Driving assist systems ............ 184
PCS (Pre-Collision 
System) ................................... 190
2-5. Driving information........ 194 Cargo and luggage ................ 194
Vehicle load limits ................... 198
Winter driving tips .................. 199
Trailer towing .......................... 204
Dinghy towing......................... 205

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2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
Starting on a steep inclineFirmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to “D”.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving.
■ Starting the engine ( P. 121)
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to “D”. 
( P. 125)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 1 3 1 )
Gradually release the brake peda l and gently push the accel-
erator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in “D”, push the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift the
shift lever to “P”. (
P. 1 2 5 )
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in “D”, push the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 1 3 1 )
Shift the shift lever to “P”. ( P. 125)
Stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on
your person.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not shift the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake not to operate properly and lead to an
accident.
●Do not turn the engine off while driving. 
The power steering and brake actuator (GS460) or brake booster (GS350) will
not operate properly if the engine is off.
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. ( P. 1 2 7 )
●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling backwa rd or forward and causing an accident.
●Be careful when driving on slippery surfaces, as the vehicle may spin or skid when
downshifting, rapidly accelerating, braking or turning.
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving. 
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents that may
result in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are
not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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CAUTION
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun. 
Failure to do so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the co ntents to spray over the interior of
the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical com-
ponents.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to “P”, stop the engine and
lock the vehicle. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattend ed while the engine is running.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately after
turning the engine off. 
Doing so may cause burns.
●Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it is
snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is running,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi cle. This may lead to death or a seri-
ous health hazard.
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon mono xide (CO) that is colorless and odor-
less. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated ar ea, stop the engine. In a closed area, such
as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to
death or a serious health hazard.
●The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack caused by
corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure to have the vehi-
cle inspected and repaired by your Lexus dealer. Failure to do so may allow
exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, result ing in death or a serious health hazard.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or
depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust
gases may collect and enter th e vehicle, leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. 
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of
the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the brake actuator (GS460) or brake booster (GS350) does not operate, do
not follow other vehicles closely and avoi d downhill or sharp turns that require
making. 
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the pedal than
usual. Braking distance may also increase.
●Do not pump the brake pedal if turning the engine off. 
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
●The brake system consists of 3 (GS460) or 2 (GS350) individual hydraulic sys-
tems: If one of the systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake
pedal should be depressed more firmly th an usual and braking distance becomes
longer. 
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.
■If the vehicle becomes stuc k or bogged (4WD models)
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or stuck in
sand or mud, etc. This may damage the drive system components or propel the
vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
NOTICE
■While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals together
to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in “P”. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a long
time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping no ise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replac e the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Front brake only: Moderate levels of the brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced
front braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly than conventional
brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads, Lexus recommends that you
also have the thickness of the discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
that of the brake discs are exceeded.