2009 Lexus GS350 brake

140
2-1. Driving procedures
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 8 levels (GS460) or 6 levels (GS350) of
engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide gr eater engine braking force than a
higher shift range, and the engine revolutions will also increase.
● If you accelerate while in ranges “1” to “7” (GS460) or “1” to “5”
(GS350), the shift range may auto matically range up in accordance
with the vehicle’s speed.
■“S” mode
When the shift range is “6” (GS460) or “4” (GS350) or lower, holding the shift
lever toward “+” sets the shift range to “8” (GS460) or “6” (GS350).
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the “S” mode)
To help ensure safety and driving perfor mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstance s, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with the cruise control syst em (or dynamic radar cruise control sys-
tem)
The engine brake will not operate in the “S” mode, even when downshifting to “7”,
“6”, “5” or “4” (GS460) or “5” or “4” (GS350). ( →P. 165, 169)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is
turned to ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode after driving in snow mode.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from “P”
→P. 5 4 3
GS_U_G.book Page 140 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:50 AM

143
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. (→P. 2 1 7 )
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
Canada
U.S.A.
GS_U_G.book Page 143 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:50 AM

156
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:40 am
AFS (Adaptive Front lighting System) (if equipped)AFS improves visibility at intersectio ns and on curves by automatically
adjusting the level of the headlights according to vehicle speed and the
degree of the tire angle that are controlled by steering input.
Operates at speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher.
■ Deactivating AFS
Press the switch to turn it off.
The indicator turns on when
the AFS is deactivated.
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on automati-
cally (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the parking brake
is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
■Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction.
GS_U_G.book Page 156 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:50 AM

166
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
■Adjusting the speed setting
Increase speed
Decrease speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is obtained.
Fine adjustment of the set speed
can be made by lightly pressing
the lever up or down and releas-
ing it.
■Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Pull the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The setting is also canceled
when the brake pedal is
depressed.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push the
lever up.
GS_U_G.book Page 166 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:50 AM

172
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
■Canceling and resuming the speed setting
Cancel
Pull the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The setting is also canceled
when the brake pedal is
depressed.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push the
lever up.
■Changing the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
Each pull of the switch changes
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
Long
Medium
Short
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance
is automatically set to the long
mode when the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is set to
the IGNITION ON mode.
A mark will be displayed to indi-
cate the presence of the vehicle
if a vehicle is running ahead of
you.
Preceding
vehicle mark
GS_U_G.book Page 172 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:50 AM

173
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
Cruising in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles
within 400 ft. (120 m) ahead and to judge the distance between your
vehicle and those vehicles.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close when traveling on long down-
hill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehi-
cle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
switch.
Example of deceleration cruising
When the vehicle ahead is driving slower than the set speed
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, in the same lane, the sys-
tem automatically decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in
vehicle speed is necessary, the system applies the brakes. A warning tone
warns you when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your
vehicle from closing on the vehicle ahead.
GS_U_G.book Page 173 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:50 AM

174
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
Example of follow-up cruising
When following a vehicle driving slower than the set speed
The system continues follow-up cruising while adjusting for changes in the
speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance set by the driver.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer vehicles driving slower than the set speed in
the lane ahead
When the vehicle ahead of you executes a lane change, the system slowly
accelerates until the set vehicle speed is reached. The system then returns to
fixed speed cruising.
Approach warning
When your vehicle is too close to a vehicle ahead, and sufficient auto-
matic deceleration via th e cruise control is not po ssible, the display will
flash and a buzzer will soun d to alert the driver. An example of this would
be if another driver cuts in front of you while you are following a vehicle.
Apply the brakes to ensure an appr opriate vehicle-to-vehicle distance.
■Warning lights and messages for dynamic radar cruise control
Warning lights, messages and buzzers are us ed to indicate a system malfunction or
to inform the driver of the need for caution while driving. ( →P. 5 1 9 )
■Switching modes
The mode cannot be switched to constant speed control mode if vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode has been used. Th e mode also cannot be switched from
constant speed control to vehicle-to-vehic le control mode. Turn the system off by
pressing the “ON-OFF” button, and turn it on again.
GS_U_G.book Page 174 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:50 AM

178
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U (OM30B43U)
April 27, 2009 10:48 am
CAUTION
■Before using dynamic radar cruise control
Do not overly rely on vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Be aware of the set vehicle speed. If au tomatic deceleration/acceleration is not
appropriate, adjust the vehicle speed, as well as the distance between your vehicle
and vehicles ahead by applying the brakes, etc.
■To avoid operating the dynamic radar cruise control by mistake
Keep the “ON-OFF” button off when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise contro l in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate co ntrol of speed and could cause serious or
fatal accident.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as thos e covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep downhills, where there are sudden changes between sharp up and
down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●At entrances to expressways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors
from functioning correctly (f og, snow, sandstorm, etc.)
●When the approach warning buzzer can be heard often
GS_U_G.book Page 178 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:50 AM