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GS350_U (OM30C34U)
1774-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for
long periods of time without the engine running.
●If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-information display, the engine switch
is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
●Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will not be
turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in
ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operatin g somewhat differently than usual, such as
the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer
immediately.
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GS350_U (OM30C34U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shift
lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is
completely stopped.
Shifting the shift lever
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GS350_U (OM30C34U)
1794-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in D for normaldriving.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
P. 2 6 3
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the conditions when driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, such as on snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( P. 181)
Selecting the driving mode
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GS350_U (OM30C34U)
4-2. Driving procedures
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle shift
switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-” and “+”
paddle shift switches. Changing the sh ift 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
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GS350_U (OM30C34U)
1814-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to M. Gears can then be selected by
operating the shift lever or paddle shif t switches, allowing you to drive in
the gear of your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear changes once every time the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is
operated.
The selected gear, from M1 to M6, will
be fixed and displayed in the meter.
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 automatically
changed in the following situation:
●When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).
●When the automatic transmission fluid or engine coolant tempera-
ture 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).
Selecting gears in the M position
1
2
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GS350_U (OM30C34U)
4-2. Driving procedures
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 slippe ry road surface” is displayed on
the multi information display.
●The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).
■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 op erated when the shift range is in 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-information display
and a function is adopted that automatically selects a higher shift range when the
fluid temperature is high. Have the ve hicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor mance, downshifting operation may some-
times 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 driv-
ing in snow mode.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 7 3 7
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GS350_U (OM30C34U)
1834-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift
lever to the M position cancels the function.)
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehi-
cle skidding to the side or spinning.
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4-2. Driving procedures
Turn signal lever
The lever will return to its original position after operation.Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■If the turn signals do not stop flashing after turning left or right, or\
if
you want to stop them flashing
Operate the lever in the opposite di rection to either position or .
If you move the lever to either position or , the selected turn sig-
nals will flash.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
23
14