2012 Lexus GS350 tow

185
4Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle............ 186
Cargo and luggage ............ 197
Trailer towing.................... 198
4-2. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch.... 207
Automatic transmission .... 214
Turn signal lever ............... 222
Parking brake .................... 224
Horn .................................. 227
4-3. Operating the lights
and wipers
Headlight switch............... 228
Automatic High Beam ...... 233
Fog light switch ................ 239
Windshield wipers
and washer ...................... 241
Headlight cleaner switch ... 2484-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap . 249
4-5. Using the driving support
systems
Cruise control ................... 254
Dynamic radar cruise
control ............................. 258
LKA
(Lane-Keeping Assist) .... 274
Lexus
parking assist-sensor....... 284
Lexus
parking assist monitor..... 297
Driving mode select switch326
Driving assist systems ...... 331
Hill-start assist control ...... 339
PCS (Pre-Crash Safety
system)............................ 341
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) 352
4-6. Driving tips
Winter driving tips ............ 359

1894-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is rec-
ommended:
For the first 300 km (186 miles):
Avoid sudden stops.
For the first 800 km (500 miles):
Do not tow a trailer.
For the first 1000 km (621 miles):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system. This type of
brake system needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or when-
ever the parking brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
perform the bedding down operation.
Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availabil-
ity of the correct fuel. (P. 838)

1984-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load:
CAUTION
Things that must not be carried in the trunk
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk:
Receptacles containing gasoline
Aerosol cans
Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly, may
block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting the driver or passen-
gers, possibly causing an accident.
Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible.
Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the package tray
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
• In front of the Remote Touch screen
Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
Load and distribution
Do not overload your vehicle.
Do not apply loads unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control
which may cause death or serious injury.

1994-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Trailer towing
Weight limits
Check the allowable towing capacity, GVM (Gross Vehicle
Mass), MPAC (Maximum Permissible Axle Capacity), and per-
missible draw bar load before towing. (P. 836)
Towing hitch/bracket
Lexus recommends the use of the Lexus hitch/bracket for your
vehicle. Other products of a suitable nature and comparable qual-
ity may also be used.
To prevent an accident
The handling of the vehicle will feel different when towing a
trailer. Beware of the 3 most common causes of towing-related
accidents: driver error, excessive speed, and overloading.
The strain of towing a trailer will have a negative impact on the
running performance, handling, fuel consumption and endurance
of your vehicle. Use the vehicle features in the correct manner and
operate the vehicle with care for safer driving and optimal comfort.
Damage and/or malfunctions that occur as a result of towing per-
formed for commercial purposes are not covered by the Lexus war-
ranty.
Ask your local authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional for further details before tow-
ing, as there are additional legal requirements in some countries.

2004-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Total trailer weight and permissible drawbar load
Total trailer weight
Weight of the trailer itself plus
the trailer load should be within
the maximum towing capacity.
Exceeding this weight is dan-
gerous. (P. 836)
When the total trailer weight is
greater than the vehicle weight,
we recommend the use of a fric-
tion stabilizer (sway control
device).
Permissible drawbar load
Allocate the trailer load so that
the drawbar load is greater than
25 kg (55.1 lb.) or 4% of the
towing capacity. Do not let the
drawbar load exceed the indi-
cated weight. (P. 836)
Important points regarding trailer loads
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2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Information tag (manufacturer’s label)
Gross vehicle mass
The combined weight of the
driver, passengers, towing hitch,
total curb mass and drawbar
load should not exceed the gross
vehicle mass by more than 100
kg (220.5 lb.). Exceeding this
weight is dangerous.
Maximum permissible rear
axle capacity
The weight borne by the rear
axle should not exceed the max-
imum permissible axle capacity
by 15% or more. Exceeding this
weight is dangerous.
The values for towing capacity
were derived from testing con-
ducted at sea level. Take note
that engine output and towing
capacity will be reduced at high
altitudes.
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CAUTION
When the gross vehicle mass limit or maximum permissible axle capacity is
exceeded
Do not exceed the established speed limit for towing a trailer in built-up
areas or 100 km/h (62 mph), whichever is the lower.

2024-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Installation positions for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch
ball
436 mm (17.2 in.)
455 mm (17.9 in.)
454 mm (17.9 in.)
475 mm (18.7 in.)
476 mm (18.7 in.)500 mm (19.7 in.)
520 mm (20.5 in.)
543 mm (21.4 in.)
560 mm (22.0 in.)1
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2044-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Tire information
Increase the tire inflation pressure to 20.0 kPa (0.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 3 psi)
greater than the recommended value when towing. (P. 850)
Increase the air pressure of the trailer tires in accordance with the total
trailer weight and according to the values recommended by the manufac-
turer of your trailer.
Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that vehicles fitted with new power train components
should not be used for towing trailers for the first 800 km (500 miles).
Safety checks before towing
Check that the maximum load limit for the towing hitch/bracket hitch ball is
not exceeded. Bear in mind that the coupling weight of the trailer will add
to the load exerted on the vehicle. Also make sure that you will not be tow-
ing a load that exceeds the maximum permissible axle capacity.
Ensure that the trailer load is secure.
Supplementary outside rear view mirrors should be added to the vehicle if
the traffic behind cannot be clearly seen with standard mirrors. Adjust the
extending arms of these mirrors on both sides of the vehicle so that they
always provide maximum visibility of the road behind.
Maintenance
Maintenance must be performed more frequently when using the vehicle
for towing due to the greater weight burden placed on the vehicle compared
to normal driving.
Retighten all bolts securing the hitching ball and bracket after towing for
approximately 1000 km (600 miles).