Page 195 of 914

1914-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
When driving the vehicle
During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. 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.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 7 3 9
Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (P. 214)
Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shift changing, or changes in
engine speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are
wet and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
Page 198 of 914

1944-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
When the vehicle is parked
Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing 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 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 vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine
and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
Page 231 of 914
2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Parking brake
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light
will come on. (P. 226)
Press and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and
it is necessary to operate the park-
ing brake while driving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake
indicator light goes off.
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
1
2
Page 232 of 914

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
Page 233 of 914
227
4 4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning message will turn on or flash. (P. 749, 757)
Depending on the condition, the parking brake indicator light may flash.
Usage in winter time
P. 3 5 9
NOTICE
When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, set the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P
and make sure that the vehicle does not move.
When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and check the warning messages.
When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Use the parking brake release tool to manually release the parking brake.
(P. 818)
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake compo-
nents overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase
brake wear.
Page 238 of 914

2314-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the front position lights
turn on automatically whenever the engine is started and the parking brake is
released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
Headlight control sensor
Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in : The headlights turn off automatically if the
engine switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
When the light switch is in : The headlights and all lights turn off auto-
matically if the engine switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned
off.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode,
or turn the light switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is kept open, the lights automatically turn off
after 20 minutes.
Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned off or turned to ACCES-
SORY mode and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
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. The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight system
to malfunction.
Page 301 of 914

2944-5. Using the driving support
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Lexus parking assist-sensor display
When an obstacle is detected while the rear view monitor system, is in use,
the warning indicator will appear in the top right of the screen even if the dis-
play setting has been set to off.
Sensor detection information
The sensor’s detection areas are limited to the areas around the vehicle’s
front corner and rear bumpers.
Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where
this may occur are listed below.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor. (Wiping the sensors will resolve
this problem.)
• The sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen the screen may show an
abnormal display, or obstacles may not be detected.
• The sensor is covered in any way.
• The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass.
• The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle
engines, air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises producing
ultrasonic waves.
• There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the
vicinity.
• The sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain.
• The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
• Towing eyelets are installed.
• The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather.
• The area directly under the bumpers is not detected.
• If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
• A non-genuine Lexus suspension (lowered suspension etc.) is installed.
• People may not be detected if they are wearing certain types of clothing.
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of
their shape, signs and other objects may be judged by the sensor to be closer
than they are.
Page 341 of 914
3344-5. Using the driving support
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed
to turn the steering wheel
AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension system) (if equipped)
By independently controlling the damping force of the shock
absorbers for each of the 4 wheels according to the road and driv-
ing conditions, this system combines riding comfort with supe-
rior steering stability, and ensures good vehicle posture. (P.
328)
VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRC, VSC,
hill-start assist control and EPS systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery
road surfaces by controlling the brakes, engine output, steering
assist, and steering ratio
PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system) (if equipped)
P. 343
Emergency brake signal
When the brakes are applied suddenly, the stop lights automati-
cally flash to alert the vehicle behind.