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2184-1. Before driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
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. 5 3 5
●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 effec-
tiveness. ( →P. 2 4 4 )
●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 shifting, 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.
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2214-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
CAUTION
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plasticmaterial of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical com-
ponents.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a place such
as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when luggage is loaded
or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
●Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place contain-
ers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard. Adhesive discs
or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a metal-
lized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause the glass to
act as a lens, causing a fire.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine and lock
the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the engine is running or immediately after
turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
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255
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Pa rk ing bra ke
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will
come on. (
→P. 2 5 6 )
Press and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and it is
necessary to operate the parking
brake while driving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake indi-
cator light goes off.
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
1
2
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2564-2. Driving procedures
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
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 overheating. If this happens, refrain from operat-
ing the parking brake. Normal operation will return after about 1 minute.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light
●Depending on the engine switch mode, the 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
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2574-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning message will turn on or flash. (→P. 5 4 4 , 5 5 2 )
Depending on the condition, the parking brake indicator light may flash.
■Usage in winter time
→ P. 3 5 4
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, set the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P and
make sure that the vehicle does not move.
■When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and check the warning messages.
■When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Use the parking brake release tool to manually release the parking brake.
( → P. 6 1 5 )
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.
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2624-3. Operating the lights and wipers
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the front position lights turn on
automatically whenever the engine is started and the parking brake is released. Day-
time running lights are not designed for use at night.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
●When the light switch is in : The headlights turn off automatically if the engine
switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
●When the light switch is in : The headlights and all lights turn off automatically if
the engine switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
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 condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not
interfere with other road users. The sensor may not function 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.
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3214-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
◆AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension system) (if equipped)
By independently controlling the damping force of the shock absorbers
for each of the 4 wheels according to the road and driving conditions,
this system helps riding comfort with superior steering stability, and
helps good vehicle posture
When SPORT S+ mode is selected by the driving mode select switch,
the damping force is suitable for sporty driving ( →P. 317)
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRC, VSC, hill-
start assist control and EPS systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling the brakes, engine output, steering assist, and
steering ratio
◆PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system) (if equipped)
→ P. 3 3 0
◆Emergency brake signal
When the brakes are applied suddenly, the stop lights automatically
flash to alert the vehicle behind.
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3244-5. Using the driving support systems
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■When the message is displayed on the multi-information display showing that TRC
has been disabled even if the VSC OFF switch has not been pressed
TRC cannot be operated. Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC and TRC systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is started or
just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunc-
tion has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating.
None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Reactivation of the TRC/VSC systems
Even after the TRC/VSC systems have been turned off, turning the engine off and
then on again will automatically reactivate the TRC/VSC systems.
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