2008 Lexus GS350 parking brake

405
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CAUTION
■When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of death or serious
injury.
●Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
●Do not put any part of your body or get underneath the vehicle supported only by
the floor jack.
Always use automotive jack stands or a solid, level surface.
●Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
●Stop the vehicle on level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put the shift
lever in “P”.
●Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point. 
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage the vehi-
cle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
●When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath the
floor jack.
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack such as
the one shown in the illustration.

5
When trouble arises
479
5-1. Essential information
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Towing eyelet
■Emergency towing procedureRelease the parking brake.
Put the shift lever in “N”.
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch must be in the ACCESSORY mode
(engine off) or the IGNITION ON mode (engine on).
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 automatic transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels (2WD models) or four
wheels (4WD models) on the ground. 
This may cause serious damage to the automatic transmission.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

488
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be
dangerous.
The following warning in dicates a possible problem in the brake system.
Immediately stop the vehicl e in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
*1: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
 P. 5 0 3
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The following warning indicates the po ssibility of damage to the vehicle
that may lead to an ac cident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Lexus dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer) *1
•Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully
released, the system is operating normally.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning lightMalfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn on or
flash. If a light turns on or flashes, bu t then turns off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system.

5
When trouble arises
503
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
The trunk is not fully
closed. flashes and a
buzzer sounds to indi-
cate that trunk is not fully
closed (with the vehicle
having reached a speed
of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
Close the trunk.
(Flashing)
(If equipped)
The moon roof is not fully
closed (with the
“ENGINE START STOP”
switch is OFF and the
driver’s door opened).
Close the moon roof.
(Flashing)
The parking brake is still
engaged (with the vehicle
having reached a speed
of more than 3 mph [5
km/h]).
Release the parking
brake.
The washer fluid level is
low.Add washer fluid.

512
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
If you have a flat tire (Vehicles with standard tires)
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to “P”.
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Wheel nut wrench Jack
Jack handle
Spare tireTi g h t e n
Loosen
Tools
Towing eyelet

524
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from “P”
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake, there may be
a problem with the shift lock system (a system to prevent accidental opera-
tion of the shift lever). Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately. 
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Set the parking brake.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to the ACCESSORY
mode.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flathead
screwdriver or equivalent.
Press the shift lock override but-
ton.
The shift lever can be shifted
while the button is pressed.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

536
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surround-
ing area is clear, to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or persons. The vehicle
may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme
caution.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes
stuck in mud, dirt, or snow.
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever
in “P”.
Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some ot her material to help provide
traction under the tires.
Restart the engine.
Shift the shift lever to the “D” or “R” position and carefully apply
the accelerator to free the vehicle.
Turn off TRAC/VSC if these functi ons are hampering your attempts
to free the vehicle. ( P. 1 8 6 )
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

549
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Brakes
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 200 N (20.4 kgf, 45 lbf) while the engine is running.
*
2: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 500 N (51.0 kgf, 112 lbf) while the engine is running.
*
3: Parking brake pedal travel when depressed with a force of 300 N (30.6 kgf, 67.4 lbf).
Steering
Pe d a l c l e a r a n c e GS460 *12.9 in. (74 mm) Min.
GS350 *22.6 in. (65 mm) Min.
Pedal free play GS460Less than 0.08 in. (2.0 mm)
GS3500.04 0.08 in. (1.0 2.0 mm)
Brake pad wear limit0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake pedal travel *37  9 clicks
Parking brake lining wear limit0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Fluid typeSAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
Free playLess than 1.2 in. (30 mm)