2014 Lexus GS250 Owner's Manual

2334-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to avoid
accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when towing:
■Checking connections between trailer and lights
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection between
the trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as well as before
starting off.
■Practicing driving with a coupled trailer
●Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer cou-
pled by practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
●When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the steer-
ing wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the trailer left
or counterclockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a little at a time to
prevent steering error. Have someone guide you when reversing to
lessen the risk of an accident.
NOTICE
■When the rear bumper strengthening material is aluminum
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that area.
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to corro-
sion, which will weaken the section concerned and may result in damage. Apply a
rust inhibitor to parts that will come in contact when attaching a steel bracket.
Guidance
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2344-1. Before driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the distance to the vehicle running
ahead of you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined
length of your vehicle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that may cause
skidding. Otherwise, the vehicle may spin out of control. This is espe-
cially true when driving on wet or slippery road surfaces.
■Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer colliding
with your vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when approaching turns
and take them slowly and carefully to avoid sudden braking.
■Important points regarding turning
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the curve than
the wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this, take the turns
wider than you would normally do.
■Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and strong
crosswinds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by pass-
ing buses or large trucks. Frequent ly check behind when moving along-
side such vehicles. As soon as such vehicle movement occurs,
immediately start to decelerate smoot hly by slowly applying the brakes.
Always steer the vehicle straight ahead while braking.
■Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer and
ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient before execut-
ing lane changes.
■Transmission information
To maintain engine braking efficiency, when using engine braking,
when driving on a long steep downgrade, do not use the transmission in
D. If in the M mode, the transmission shift range position must be in 4 or
lower. ( →P. 2 4 8 )
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2354-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures exceed-
ing 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. 625)
■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
Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Trailer towing precautions
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded. ( →P. 2 2 8 )
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehicle.
●Do not tow a trailer when the tire installed is repaired with the emergency tire
puncture repair kit.
●Do not use cruise control (if equipped) or dynamic radar cruise control (if
equipped) when trailer towing.
■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 descend-
ing 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.
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2364-1. Before driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
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 punc-
ture repair kit is installed. The load on the tire may cause unexpected damage to
the tire.
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237
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Engine (ignition) switch
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch.
The engine will crank until it starts or
for up to 30 seconds, whichever is
less.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the engine is completely started.
The engine can be started from any
engine switch mode.
Performing the fo llowing operations when carrying the electronic key
on your person starts the engine or changes engine switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4
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2384-2. Driving procedures
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (→P. 255)
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “POWER ON” on the multi-
information display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be used.
The multi-information display will not
be displayed.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as
the audio system can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the engine, the
engine switch will be turned to
ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4
5
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2394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P, the
engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the switch off:Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” are displayed alter-
nately on the multi-information display and then press the engine switch
once.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-infor-
mation display are off.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4
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2404-2. Driving procedures
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION
ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P,
the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely
prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in
ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long periods of time when the engine is
not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 1 3 8
■Conditions affecting operation
→P. 1 3 4
■Notes for the push-start function
→P. 1 3 7
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 8 0 )
Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift
lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P position to Start” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
■Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering
wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the engine switch
again automatically cancels the steering lock.
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