2012 Lexus GS350 engine overheat

TABLE OF CONTENTS6
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
7-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ........... 738
If your vehicle has to be stopped
in an emergency.................7397-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be
towed...............................740
If you think something is
wrong................................747
Fuel pump shut off system 748
If a warning light turns on or a
warning buzzer sounds.....749
If a warning message is dis-
played................................757
If you have a flat tire (vehicles
with a spare tire)...............782
If you have a flat tire (vehicles
without a spare
tire).....................................797
If the engine will not start . 815
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P....................817
If the parking brake cannot be
released.............................818
If the electronic key does not
operate properly................821
If the vehicle battery is dis-
charged..............................824
If your vehicle overheats ... 829
If your vehicle becomes
stuck...................................832
7When trouble arises

15Pictorial index
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 241
Precautions against winter season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 359
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
*1 . . . . . . . . . . P. 431
Precautions against car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 646
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 249
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 249
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 838
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 672
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 850
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 359
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system
*1 . . . . . . . . . P. 672
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 782, 797
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 657
Opening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 657
Engine compartment cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 661
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 839
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 829
Warning messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 763
Headlights/front position lights/daytime running lights . . . . . . P. 228
Front fog lights
*1/rear fog light*2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 239
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 222
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 228
Stop lights
Hill-start assist control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 339
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 228
Back-up light
*2
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 214
4
5
6
7
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 720, Watts: P. 852)
*1: If equipped
*2: They may be located on the opposite side depending on the target region.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

101
2 2. Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
The meters and display illuminate when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
Instrument panel brightness adjustment
The instrument panel brightness levels when the tail lights are on and off can
be adjusted individually. However, when the surroundings are bright (day-
time, etc.), turning on the tail lights will not change the instrument panel
brightness.
Limitation of brightness adjustment
The brightness of the instrument panel lights is automatically adjusted based
on the light sensor detecting how bright the surroundings are. However, if the
instrument panel brightness has been manually set to either the brightest or
darkest setting, the automatic adjustment will not be performed.
ECO lamp and SPORT lamp
When sport mode is selected, SPORT lamp (red) will illuminate.
When all of the following conditions are satisfied and Eco-friendly driving,
ECO lamp (blue) will illuminate. (ECO lamp will become brighter the more
Eco-friendly driving you perform. Also, while the acceleration exceeds
Zone of Eco driving, ECO lamp turns off. (P. 109) However, when Eco
drive mode is selected, while the acceleration exceeds Zone of Eco driving,
ECO lamp does not turn off.):
• Driving with the shift lever in D
• Paddle shift switch is not operated.
• Either normal mode or Eco drive mode is selected.
• The vehicle speed is approximately 130 km/h (80 mph) or below.
Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of ECO lamp) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 857)
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the engine and its components
Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. (P. 829)

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.

1934-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as soon as
possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Moderate levels of brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced front braking
power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly than conventional
brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads, Lexus recommends
that you also have the thickness of the discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
When the vehicle is stopped
Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the
parking brake as necessary.
If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake
pedal and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.

1954-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
When braking
When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will
increase.
The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase.
If this happens, do not continue to drive the vehicle. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.
If the vehicle becomes stuck
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.

2084-1. Before driving
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures
exceeding 30C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If
the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheating, turn the air conditioning off immediately, leave the
road and stop the vehicle in a safe place. (P. 829)
When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle
and trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever
to P.
CAUTION
To avoid accident or injury
Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehi-
cle.
Do not tow the vehicle when the tire installed is repaired with the emer-
gency tire puncture repair kit.
Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while
descending steep or long downhill grades.
Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake overheating or reduce braking effects.
NOTICE
For vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit (if equipped)
Do not tow anything if a tire that has been repaired using the emergency tire
puncture repair kit is installed. The load on the tire may cause unexpected
damage to the tire.

2124-2. Driving procedures
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
When the steering lock cannot be released
Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time.
In this case, refrain from operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the
steering lock motor will resume functioning.
When “Check Entry & Start System” will be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional immediately.
If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 8 1 5
Operation of the engine switch
When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the engine switch
mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.
If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated in a customized setting
P. 8 2 1 “Steering Lock active” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the engine switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.