2014 Lexus GS350 Using the air conditioning system and defogger / LEXUS 2014 GS350 OWNERS MANUAL (OM30D41U)

GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
1774-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended if
the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor
will resume functioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” will be displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
 P. 6 5 9
■Operation of the engine switch
●When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch is
pressed improperly, the engine may not st art or the engine switch mode may not
change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine switch off,
the engine may not start in some cases. Af ter turning the engine switch off, please
wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-but ton start has been deactivated in a cus-
tomized setting
 P. 7 5 4
“Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right.

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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.

GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
1794-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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 your Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operatin g somewhat differently than usual, such as
the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer
immediately.

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4-2. Driving procedures
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_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
1814-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
*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.
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
 P. 2 6 4
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the conditions when driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, such as on snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal 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. 1 8 3 )
Selecting the driving mode

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4-2. Driving procedures
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” or “+” pad-
dle shift switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is oper ated, 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 th e level of engine braking force to
be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
6-speed models:
The selected shift range, from D1 to
D6, will be displayed in the meter.
8-speed models:
The selected shift range, from D1 to
D8, 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 displayFunction6-speed models8-speed models
D2 - D6D2 - D8
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_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
1834-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to M. Gears can then be selected by
operating the shift lever or paddle shif t switches, allowing you to drive in
the gear of your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear changes once every time the
shift lever or paddle shift switch is
operated.
6-speed models:
The selected gear, from M1 to M6, will
be fixed and displayed in the meter.
8-speed models:
The selected gear, from M1 to M8, will
be fixed and displayed in the meter.
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).
Selecting gears in the M position
1
2

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4-2. Driving procedures
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 slippe ry road surface” is displayed on
the multi information display.
●The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).
■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. Wh en “Transmission Fluid High Temperature”
is displayed on the multi-information display, have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer.
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor mance, 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. 7 5 1