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When driving
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
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 contents 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
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
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 stuck 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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When driving
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
■If the engine does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→P. 8 4 )
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■Auto power OFF function
If the vehicle is left in the ACCESSORY mode for more than an hour with the shift
lever in “P”, the “ENGINE START STOP” switch will automatically turn OFF.
■Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 3 5
■When the electronic key battery is discharged
→P. 4 5 8
■Conditions affecting operation
→P. 3 3 The green indicator light on the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will flash and a mes-
sage will be shown on the multi-information
display. Press the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch again while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
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GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press the accelera-
tor pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, push and
hold the “ENGINE START STOP” switch for more than 3 seconds.
However, do not touch the “ENGINE START STOP” switch while driving except in
an emergency. If the engine stops while the vehicle is being driven, this could lead to
an unexpected accident.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION
ON mode for long periods if the engine is not running.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race the engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.
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GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
■If the indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to “S”
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the vehicle will operate as if the shift lever is in “D”.)
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically shifts the gear to the optimal position according to the
driver’s input and driving conditions.
GS460: The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the “D” or
“S” position.
GS350: The AI-SHIFT automatically operat es when the shift lever is in the “D”
position. (Shifting the shift lever to the “S” position cancels the function.)
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2-2. Instrument cluster
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the
red zone (“H”). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place. Check
the engine after it has cooled completely. (→P. 5 5 2 )
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates the maximum engine speed.
■To activate the light sensitivity function properly
Do not affix a sticker or window tint to the rear window glass, or put an object
behind the rear seat.
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When driving
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as ABS and the SRS airbag warning light not
come on when you turn to IGNITION ON mode, this could mean that these sys-
tems are not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in death
or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspec ted by your Lexus dealer immediately if
this occurs.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in the indicated
vehicle’s systems. ( →P. 507)
*: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned
to IGNITION ON mode to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the engine is on, or after a few seconds.
There may be a malfunction in a syst em if the lights do not come on, or
turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)(GS460)
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(if equipped)
*******
*****
**
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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:40 am
■Automatic light off system
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after all doors are closed if the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch has been switched to ACCESSORY mode or
turned OFF while the headlights are turned on. (The lights turn off immediately if
the button on the key is pressed after all doors are locked.)
To turn the lights on again, switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the light switch
off once and then back to the or position.
■Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere with other road users.
■If the indicator flashes...
It may indicate a malfunction in th e system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 5 9 2 )
NOTICE
■To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is off.
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