2014 Lexus GS250 engine

2434-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as
the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
immediately.
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 243 Tuesday, July 8, 2014 7:11 PM

2444-2. Driving procedures
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
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
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 244 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM

2454-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
*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.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( → P. 2 4 8 )
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 245 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM

2474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” or “+” pad-
dle shift switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be down-
shifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is suitable to driv-
ing conditions. When the “+” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift
range will be one gear upper than the gear in use during normal D posi-
tion driving.
Changing the shift 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
D6, 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 - D6
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
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 247 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM

2494-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
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).
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 slippery road surface” is displayed on
the multi information display.
●The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 249 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM

2504-2. Driving procedures
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
The Gear Shift Indicator display is a guide to help the driver achieve
improved fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions within limits of
engine performance.When not in operation
Shift-up indicator
■Gear Shift Indicator function
●Multi-information display: This function automatically operates dur-
ing M mode.
Head-up display: This function automatically operates during M
mode when the ECO Driving Indicator is displayed on the head-up
display. ( →P. 112)
●By following the Shift-up indicator and shifting up accordingly, it is
possible to achieve improved fuel economy and reduced exhaust
emissions.
●The Gear Shift Indicator does not have a similar function for down-
shifting.
●Depending on the driving conditions, the Gear Shift Indicator may
not display the Shift-up indicator while driving in M mode.
Gear Shift Indicator (if equipped)
1
2
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 250 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM

2514-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■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 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
When the temperature of the transmission fluid or engine oil becomes high, protec-
tion control is performed temporarily. When “Transmission Fluid High Temperature”
is displayed on the multi-information display, have the vehicle inspected by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional.
■Downshifting restrict ions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, 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. 6 1 4
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 251 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM

2544-2. Driving procedures
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■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 ch ange has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable feature →P. 6 5 0 )
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 254 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM