2014 Lexus GS350 engine

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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GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
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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GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
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

GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
1874-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flas h during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable feature P. 7 9 3 )

GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
1894-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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 overheatin g. If this happens, refrain from operat-
ing the parking brake. Normal operatio n will return after about 1 minute.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a moto r sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light
●Depending on the engine switch mode, th e 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

192
GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
U.S.A. Canada
The side marker, parking,
tail, license plate and instru-
ment panel lights turn on.
The headlights and all lights
listed above turn on.
The headlights, daytime
running lights and all the
lights listed above turn on
and off automatically.
(When the engine switch is
in IGNITION ON mode.)
Off
The daytime running lights
turn on.1
2
3
4
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)

GS350_OM_OM30D41U_(U)
1954-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the parking lights turn on auto-
matically (at an increased intensity) whenever the engine is started and the parking
brake is released. Daytime running ligh ts are not designed for use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the switch.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in or : The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after the engine switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and a
door is opened and all of the doors and trun k are closed. (The lights turn off immedi-
ately if on the key is pressed twice after all the doors are closed.)
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 conditio n of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not
interfere with other road users. The sensor may not func tion 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.