2008 Lexus GS350 stop start

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■ Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding wh en swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at maxi-
mum.
■ EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■Active stabilizer suspension system (if equipped)
Turns at smaller angles to main tain the stable vehicle posture.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
When the VSC/TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, rolling backwards when
starting on an incli ne, or if the rear
wheels (2WD models) or all
wheels (4WD models) spin, the
slip indicator light flashes to indi-
cate that the VSC/TRAC/hill-start
assist control systems have been
engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC is operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-start
assist control system is operating.
The slip indicator light flashes as
well when ABS is operating.
■ PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
 P. 1 9 0
■VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering) (GS460)
Adjusts the wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed and
steering wheel movement.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the AB S, VSC, TRAC, hill-start assist con-
trol, VGRS (GS460) and EPS systems. 
Maintains vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, engine output, and the movement of the front
wheels.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
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May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC
Turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF after turning off the TRAC and
VSC systems will automatically re-enable them.
■Automatic TRAC reactivation
If only the TRAC system is turned off, th e TRAC system will turn on when the vehi-
cle speed increases.
■Automatic TRAC and VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on even when
the vehicle speed increases.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the A BS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC, hill-start
assist control and VGRS (GS460) systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that
a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operat-
ing. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down s lightly after the ABS is activated.
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
This system comes into operation under the following conditions after the brake
pedal has been depressed and the vehicle has come to a stop:
●The shift lever is in the “D” or “S”.
●The system has detected that the vehicle is moving backwards.
●GS350: The brake pedal is not depressed.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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■Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating when
there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering wheel
may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input or
stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The system should return to normal about
10 minutes.
■GS460: VGRS is disabled in the following situations
●During stopping or the steering wheel has been moved for a long time while
driving at lower speeds.
●After the engine is restarted at less than -22°F (-30°C).
CAUTION
Any of the following conditions may result in an accident which could cause death or
serious injury:
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded.
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick road.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating will exceed that of normal condi-
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping dist ance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situations.
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven roads
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be ac hievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC is operating. 
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

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3-1. Using the touch screen
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May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
The initial screenIf the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch is set to ACCESSORY or
IGNITION ON mode, the initial-
izing screen will be displayed for a
few seconds as the system starts
up.
Trip information
Trip information such as driving di stance, average vehicle speed, fuel
consumption, etc. can be di splayed on the screen. The displayed figure is
for general information and may not always reflect precise and actual
conditions.
■ Displaying the screen
Press .
Touch on the “Information” screen.
Average fuel consumption
Cruising range
Average vehicle speed
Total distance
STEP1
STEP2

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3-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
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May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Rear window and outside re ar view mirror defoggers
■Operating conditions
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch must be in the IGNITION ON mode.
CAUTION
■When the outside rear view mirror defoggers are on
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces, as they can become very hot and burn
you.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Turn the defoggers off when the engine is off.
These features are used to defog the rear window, and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the outside rear view mirrors.
Press the button.
Press the button to turn on the
rear window and outside rear
view mirror defoggers. The
defoggers will automatically
turn off after approximately 15
minutes. Pressing the button
again also turns the defoggers
off.

252
3-3. Using the audio system
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May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Loading a discs■ Loading a single disc
Push .
When the indicator changes from flashing amber to green, insert
a disc after the DVD player door opens.
■ Loading multiple discs
Press and hold until you hear a beep.
When the indicator changes from flashing amber to green, insert
a disc after the DVD player door opens.
After inserting a disc, wait until the indicator changes from flash-
ing amber to green, then insert the next disc after the DVD player
door has opened.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have inserted all discs.
To cancel the operation, press the or button. If you do not
insert a disc within 15 seconds, loading will be canceled automatically.
■DVD hint screen
This screen appears when a DVD
video, DVD audio or video CD is
first selected with the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch in ACCES-
SORY or IGNITION ON mode.
Touch once you have
read the message.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

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3-3. Using the audio system
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May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Playing DVD video/audio
For safety reasons, you can enjoy the visual contents of discs only when the
vehicle is completely stopped with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in
ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode and the parking brake applied.
While you are driving, only audio contents may be played.
■ Video control screen
Press while the disc is playing , the following screen appears.
Return to video screen
Change screen mode ( P. 2 8 6 )