2154-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■When starting off on a uphill
The hill-start assist control is available. (→P. 3 2 8 )
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows
may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially
slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because there
may be a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing the
steering and brakes from operating properly.
■Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driving. This is
due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to meet driv-
ing conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
●The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
●When the accelerator pedal is released
●When the brake pedal is depressed while sport mode is selected ( →P. 3 1 5 )
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 215 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM
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.
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 218 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM
2224-1. Before driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift lever or
depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire due to engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a serious
health hazard.
■When braking
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause one side
of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.
●The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and the braking distance will increase. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.
■If the vehicle becomes stuck (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or the vehi-
cle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline components or propel
the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 222 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM
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 )
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 234 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM
2864-5. Using the driving support systems
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
To change the set speed, operate the lever until the desired set speed is
obtained.Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Fine adjustment: Momentarily move
the lever in the desired direction.
Large adjustment: Hold the lever in
the desired direction.
The set speed will be increased or decreased as follows:
Fine adjustment: By approximately 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time the lever is oper-
ated.
Large adjustment: The set speed can be increased or decreased continually until
the lever is released.
Pulling the lever toward you can-
cels the constant speed control.
The speed setting is also canceled
when the brakes are applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes the
constant speed control.
Resuming is available when the vehi-
cle speed is more than approximately
40 km/h (25 mph).
Adjusting the set speed
1
2
Canceling and resuming the constant speed control
1
2
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 286 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM
2934-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Pulling the lever toward you can-
cels the cruise control.
The speed setting is also canceled
when the brakes are applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes the
cruise control and returns vehicle
speed to the set speed.
Resuming is available when the vehi-
cle speed is more than approximately
40 km/h (25 mph).
Canceling and resuming the speed control
1
2
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 293 Tuesday, July 8, 2014 7:11 PM
2944-5. Using the driving support systems
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up to
approximately 120 m (400 ft.) ahead, determines the current vehicle-to-
vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain a suitable following
distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long downhill
slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehicle
distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Example of deceleration cruising
When the vehicle ahead is driving slower than the set speed
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically decel-
erates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, the
system applies the brakes. A warning tone warns you when the system cannot
decelerate sufficiently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle
ahead.
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
1
2
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 294 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM
2954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Example of follow-up cruising
When following a vehicle driving slower than the set speed
The system continues follow-up cruising while adjusting for changes in the speed
of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the
driver.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any vehicles ahead driving slower than the
set speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then returns to
constant speed cruising.
When your vehicle is too close to a vehicle ahead, and sufficient auto-
matic deceleration via the cruise control is not possible, the display will
flash and the buzzer will sound to alert the driver. An example of this
would be if another driver cuts in front of you while you are following a
vehicle. Apply the brakes to ensure an appropriate vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance.
■Warnings may not occur when
In the following instances, there is a possibility that the warnings will not
occur:
●When the speed of the vehicle ahead matches or exceeds your vehi-
cle speed
●When the vehicle ahead is traveling at an extremely slow speed
●Immediately after the cruise control speed was set
●At the instant the accelerator is applied
Approach warning
3
4
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE).book Page 295 Tuesday, July 8, 201 4 7:11 PM