2016 Lexus GS350 Owner's Manual

GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)
2014-2. 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 operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malf unction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.

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GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)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 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 0 5 )

GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)
2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Sport mode/Eco drive mode
P. 2 9 3
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit th e conditions when driving on slippery
road surfaces, such as on snow.
Press the switch.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
*1: Except F SPORT models of GS350/ GS200t, and GS F
*2: F SPORT models of GS350/GS200t
Selecting the driving mode
*1
*2

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GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
To drive using temporary shift range select
ion, operate the “-” or “+” paddle shift
switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be downshifted
to a range that enables engine braking forc e that is suitable to driving conditions.
When the “+” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be one gear
upper than the gear in use during normal D position driving.
Changing the shift range allows restriction of the highest shift gear, preventing
unnecessary upshifting and enabling the 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 sele cted shift range, from D1 to D8, will be displayed in the
meter.
To return to normal D position driving, th e “+” paddle shift switch must be held down
for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engi ne braking forces than a higher shift
range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
GS350/GS200tGS F
1
2
Meter display
Function6-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

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2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to M. Gears can then be selected by oper-
ating the shift lever or paddle shift 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.
Selecting gears in the M position
GS350/GS200tGS F
1
2

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GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
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 temperature is low.
●GS350/GS200t: When automatic transm ission fluid temperature is high.
●GS350/GS200t: When the needle of the tachometer is in the red zone (the
range which exceeds the allowable revs of the engine).
In the following situations, the gear will not shift even if the shift lever or paddle
shift switches are operated.
●“Slippery Road. Cannot Shift to Lower Gear.” is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display.
●The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).

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2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■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 fl uid 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, have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may sometimes
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 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. 266, 278, 290)
8-speed models: While driving in the D posi tion, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
(  P. 266, 278, 290)
●When switching the driving mode to spor t mode while driving in D position. (P. 2 9 3 )
■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. 4 5 9 )
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed to o much while the vehicle is in reverse.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 5 1 7
■AI-SHIFT
●The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitab le gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when th e shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift
lever to the M position cancels the function.)
●8-speed models: G AI-SHIFT automatically se lects a suitable gear for sporty driving
according to driver’s input and driving co nditions. G AI-SHIFT operates automatically
when the shift lever is in D and sport mode is selected for the driving mode. (Selecting
normal mode with the driving mode select sw itch or shifting the shift lever to the M
position cancels this function.)

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GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
WA R N I N G
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden accele
ration, as this could result in the vehicle
skidding to the side or spinning.