Page 180 of 828
180
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
Page 181 of 828
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
Page 182 of 828

182
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
Page 185 of 828
GS350_U (OM30C34U)
1854-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■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 flas h during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable feature P. 777)
Page 187 of 828

GS350_U (OM30C34U)
1874-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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 (auto-
matic 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 overheatin g. If this happens, refrain from operat-
ing the parking brake. Normal operatio n will return after about 1 minute.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a moto r sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light
●Depending on the engine switch mode, th e 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 indicate a malfunc-
tion.
Automatic mode
Page 190 of 828
190
GS350_U (OM30C34U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
U.S.A. Canada
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
The side marker, parking,
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.)
Off
The daytime running lights
turn on.1
2
3
4
Page 193 of 828

GS350_U (OM30C34U)
1934-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Daytime running light system
●To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the parking lights turn on auto-
matically (at an increased intensity) whenever the engine is started and the parking
brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
●Compared to turning on th e headlights, the daytime running light system offers
greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve fuel econ-
omy.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in : The headlig hts and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after the engine switch is turned to AC CESSORY mode or turned off and a door is
opened and all of the doors and trunk are closed. (The lights turn off immediately if on the key is pressed twice after all the doors are closed.)
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 op en, the lights automatically turn off after 20
minutes.
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned off or turned to ACCESSORY
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 pas-
sengers and the loading conditio n of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not
interfere with other road users. The sensor may not func tion properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction.
Page 194 of 828
194
GS350_U (OM30C34U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■If the “AFS OFF” indicator flashes
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 777)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.