2014 Lexus GS350 power steering

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GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
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. 6 9 3
●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. 1 8 0 )
●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.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
1654-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving,
as this may restrain driving torque.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at
the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage th e power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 7 3 6 )

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4-2. Driving procedures
■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 1 4
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 1 1 0
■Notes for the entry function
P. 1 1 1
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 7 0 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●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 op ening 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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4-2. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accel-
erator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the doors
until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in
this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and
hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times or more
in succession. (P. 6 9 3 )
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emergency.
Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking con-
trol, 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.

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GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Driving assist systems
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lo ck when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while dri ving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of br aking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces
◆Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road
surfaces by controllin g steering performance.
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control
P. 2 7 7
◆VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering) (if equipped)
Adjusts the front wheel turning angl e in accordance with the vehicle
speed and steering wheel movement
To help enhance driving safety an d performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be
aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and should not
be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems
◆DRS (Dynamic Rear Steering) (if equipped)
Contributes to the turning characteristics and responsiveness of the
vehicle by slightly adjusting the rear wheel angle of the vehicle in accor-
dance with steering wheel movement
◆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 wheel s 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. 266)
◆LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handlin g system) (if equipped)
Provides independent control of the VGRS, DRS and EPS. Contributes
to turning characteristics at low speeds, responsiveness at medium
speeds and safety at high speeds by controlling the steering angle of
the front and rear wheels in accorda nce with the steering wheel opera-
tion and vehicle speed
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the AB S, brake assist, TRAC, VSC, hill-
start assist control, EPS, VGRS (if equipped) and DRS (if equipped)
systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling the brakes, engine output, steering assist, and
steering ratio and rear wheel angle
◆PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
 P. 279

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Interior features5
5-3. Using the audio system Audio system type ......................376
Using the radio ............................399
Using the CD/DVD player ..... 421
Playing an audio CD and MP3/WMA discs.......... 423
Playing DVD video .................... 429
CD/DVD player and DVD video disc information ............ 441
Listening to Bluetooth
® audio.................... 452
Listening to a USB memory.........................463
Listening to an iPod ................... 473
Optimal use of the audio/video system ........ 483
Using the AUX port................. 485
Using the rear seat audio controls ........................... 487
Using the steering wheel audio switches .......................... 492
5-4. Using the hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
Hands-free system (for cellular phone) ................. 495
Using a Bluetooth
® phone ... 503
Setting the hands-free system (for cellular phone) ................. 524
Setting the Bluetooth
®........... 548 5-5. Using the interior lights
Interior lights list ...........................561• Interior light ............................ 562
• Personal lights ....................... 562
5-6. Using the storage features List of storage features ............ 564• Glove box ............................... 566
• Console box........................... 567
• Cup holders ...........................568
• Auxiliary boxes ..................... 570
Trunk features ................................571
5-7. Other interior features Sun visors and vanity mirrors .................... 574
Clock............................................... 575
Ashtrays .......................................... 576
Power outlets ................................577
Heated steering wheel ............ 579
Seat heaters/ seat ventilators .......................... 581
Armrest ......................................... 585
Rear sunshade/ rear door sunshades ..............586
Trunk storage extension ..........589
Coat hooks ...................................590
Assist grips..................................... 591
Utility hook.................................... 592
Garage door opener................ 593
Safety Connect .......................... 600

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5-3. Using the audio system
Using the steering wheel audio switches
Radio mode: Selects a radio sta-tion
Audio CD mode: Selects a track
MP3/WMA disc mode: Selects a file and
folder
DVD mode: Selects a chapter
Bluetooth
® audio mode: Selects a track and
album
iPod mode: Selects a track
USB memory mode: Selects a file and
folder/album
Vo l u m e
Turns the power on, selects audio
source, mute or pause
Some audio features can be controlled using the switches on the steer-
ing wheel.
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