2011 Lexus GS350 Owner's Manual

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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 resulting 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. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it
more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.
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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Automatic transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION
ON mode, depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever.
■ Shift position uses
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the
“D” position for normal driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using “S” mode, you can control engine braking forces.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
S“S” mode driving*2 ( → P. 1 3 9 )

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■Selecting a driving mode
The following patterns can be selected to suit current driving and
operating conditions.
Power mode
For powerful acceleration and
driving in mountainous regions.
Normal mode
Snow mode
For accelerating and driving on
slippery road surfaces, such as
on snow.
Press “SNOW” to return to nor-
mal mode.

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Changing shift ranges in “S” modeShift the shift lever to the “S” position and operate the shift lever. Upshifting
Downshifting
GS460
The initial shift range in “S” mode is automatically set to “6”, “5” or “4”
according to vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set
to “3” or “2” if the AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in
the “D” position. ( →P. 141)
GS350
The initial shift range in “S” mode is automatically set to “4” according
to vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to “3” or
“2” if the AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in the “D”
position. (→ P. 141)

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■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 greater 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 automatically range up in accordance
with the vehicle’s speed.
● A higher shift range is automatically selected when the automatic
transmission fluid temperature is high.
■“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).
●To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur.
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the “S” mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, 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 6 9

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■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 operates when the shift lever is in the “D”
position. (Shifting the shift lever to the “S” position cancels the function.)
While in power mode, the engine speed may stay high while depressing the accel-
erator pedal and may remain high after releasing the accelerator pedal. This does
not indicate a malfunction.

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Turn signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
Right turn
Left turn
Move and hold the lever part-
way to signal a lane change
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever part-
way to signal a lane change
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

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Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. (→P. 2 1 8 )
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 .