2224-1. Before driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
Driving the vehicle
→P. 2 3 9
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. ( →P. 2 4 5 )
If the parking brake is in manual mode, release the parking brake. ( →P. 2 5 4 )
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal
to accelerate the vehicle.
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift lever to P or
N. ( →P. 2 4 5 )
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Shift the shift lever to P. ( →P. 2 4 5 )
If the parking brake is in manual mode, set the parking brake. (→P. 2 5 4 )
Press the engine switch to stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on your person.
If parking on a hill, bl ock the wheels as needed.
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving:
Starting the engine
Driving
Stopping
Parking the vehicle
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
2254-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine running. This
prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator ped-
als to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in oper-
ating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using
your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an accident.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off while driving
will not cause loss of steering or braking cont rol, but the power assist to these systems
will be lost. This will make it more difficul t 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 0 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 effective-
ness. ( →P. 2 4 5 )
●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, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depres s the brake pedal to make sure that the
brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from func-
tioning properly. If th e brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning properly,
steering control may be affected.
2364-1. Before driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to avoid acci-
dent, 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 coupled by
practicing in an area with no or light traffic.
●When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the steering
wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the trailer left or counter-
clockwise 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.
■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 vehi-
cle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking th at may cause skidding. Otherwise, the
vehicle may spin out of control. This is especially 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 cross-
winds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by passing buses or
large trucks. Frequently check behind when moving alongside such vehicles.
As soon as such vehicle movement occurs, immediately start to decelerate
smoothly by slowly applying the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight
ahead while braking.
Guidance
2414-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(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 ACCESSORY mode. Per-
form the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is displayed on the multi-information display
and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on the multi-information display is off.
■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 IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of time when the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 1 5 6
■Conditions affecting operation
→P. 1 7 5
■Notes for the push-start function
→P. 1 7 7
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 8 6 )
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 functi on. Operating the engine switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other than P
1
2
3
4
2434-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator
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 cir-
cumstance 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 succes-
sion. ( →P. 5 0 3 )
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning
the engine off while driving will not cause lo ss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. Th is 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.
2444-2. Driving procedures
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional immediately
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualif ied and equipped professional immediately.
245
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
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 com-
pletely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises
, set the shift lever in D for normal driving.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driving in M mode.
Shifting the shift lever
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. 2 4 8 )
2514-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
■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 becomes high, protection control is per-
formed temporarily. When “Transmission Fluid Temp High See Owner’s Manual” is dis-
played on the multi-information display, ha ve the vehicle inspected by any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downsh ifting 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 driving in
snow mode.
■When driving with cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or dynamic radar
cruise control with full-speed range activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
engine braking will not activate because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.
●6-speed models: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 5 or 4.
( → P. 329, 341, 353)
●8-speed models: While driving in the D position, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
(→ P. 329, 341, 353)
●When switching th e driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. ( →P. 3 5 6 )
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual operation is performed, the engine output may be
restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D
includes M) with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display. ( →P. 5 1 8 )
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the vehicle is in reverse.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→ P. 5 8 5