2012 Lexus GS250 engine

2164-2. Driving procedures
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in D for
normal driving.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 (P. 219)

2184-2. Driving procedures
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” pad-
dle shift switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating
the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches. Changing the shift range
allows restriction of the highest gear, preventing unnecessary
upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking force to be
selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1
to D5, will be displayed in the
meter.
To return to normal D position
driving, the “+” paddle shift switch
must be held down for a period of
time.
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a
higher shift range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
1
2
Meter displayFunction
D2 - D5
A gear in the range between 1 and the selected gear
is automatically chosen depending on vehicle speed
and driving conditions
D1Setting the gear at 1

2204-2. Driving procedures
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)When in the M position, the gear will not change unless the shift
lever or paddle shift switches are operated.
However, even when in the M position, the gears will be auto-
matically changed in the following situation:
When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).
When the automatic transmission fluid or engine coolant tem-
perature is low.
When automatic transmission fluid temperature is high.
When the needle of the tachometer is in the red zone (the range
which exceeds the allowable revs of the engine).
In the following situations, the gear will not shift even if the shift
lever or paddle shift switches are operated.
“1st Gear not available due to slippery road surface” is dis-
played on the multi information display.
The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).

2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the D position
A shift range will be automatically selected. The highest gear of the first shift
range will be one gear lower than the gear in use during normal D position
driving.
Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following
situations:
When the vehicle comes to a stop
If the “+” paddle shift switch is operated when the shift range is in range 5
If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
When the shift lever is shifted to other than D
To protect automatic transmission
“Transmission Fluid High Temperature” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display and a function is adopted that automatically selects a higher shift
range when the fluid temperature is high. Have the vehicle inspected by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional.
Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turned off
after driving in snow mode.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 8 1 7

2244-2. Driving procedures
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed.
(Customizable feature P. 855)

2264-2. Driving procedures
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift
lever operation.
Turns automatic mode on/off
When the shift lever is moved
out of P, the parking brake will
be released.
When the shift lever is moved
into P, the parking brake will
be set.
Operate the shift lever with the
brake pedal depressed.
Parking brake operation
When the engine switch is not in IGNITION ON mode, the parking brake
cannot be released using the parking brake switch.
When the engine switch is not in IGNITION ON mode, automatic mode
(automatic brake setting and releasing) is not available.
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the
system may restrict operation to prevent overheating. If this happens,
refrain from operating the parking brake. Normal operation will return after
about 1 minute.
Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
Parking brake indicator light
Depending on the engine switch mode, the parking brake indicator light
will come on and stay on as described below:
IGNITION ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in IGNITION ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds.
When the engine switch is turned off with the parking brake set, the parking
brake indicator light will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
Automatic mode

2284-3. Operating the lights and wipers
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Headlight switch
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
The front position, tail,
license plate and instru-
ment panel lights turn on.
The headlights and all
lights listed above turn
on.
The headlights, daytime
running lights and all the
lights listed above turn on
and off automatically.
(When the engine switch
is in IGNITION ON
mode.)
The daytime running
lights turn on.
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

2294-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to
turn on the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once.
You can flash the high beams with
the headlights on or off.
This system allows the headlights and front position lights to be
turned on for 30 seconds when the engine switch is off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it with the light switch is
in or after turning the
engine switch off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it again to turn off the
lights.
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2
Follow me home system