2364-1. Before driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
■Tire information
●Increase the tire inflation pressure to 20.0 kPa (0.2 kgf/cm 2
or bar, 3 psi) greater than
the recommended value when towing. ( P. 629)
●Increase the air pressure of the trailer tires in accordance with the total trailer weight
and according to the values recommended by the manufacturer of your trailer.
■Trailer lights
●Please consult any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reli-
able repairer when installing trailer lights, as incorrect installation may cause damage to
the vehicle’s lights. Please take care to comply with your state’s laws when installing
trailer lights.
●Check that the turn signal lights and stoplights are operating correctly every time you
hitch up the trailer. Directly wiring up to your vehicle may damage the electrical systemand stop the lights from functioning correctly.
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that vehicles fitted with new power train components should not be
used for towing trailers for the first 800 km (500 miles).
■Safety checks before towing
●Check that the maximum load limit for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball is not
exceeded. Bear in mind that the coupling weight of the trailer will add to the load
exerted on the vehicle. Also make sure that the total load exerted on the vehicle is
within the range of the weight limits. ( P. 234)
●Ensure that the trailer load is secure.
●Supplementary outside rear view mirrors should be added to the vehicle if the traffic
behind cannot be clearly seen with standard mirrors. Adjust the extending arms of
these mirrors on both sides of the vehicle so that they always provide maximum visibility
of the road behind.
■Maintenance
●Maintenance must be performed more frequently when using the vehicle for towing
due to the greater weight burden placed on the vehicle compared to normal driving.
●Retighten all bolts securing the hitching ball and bracket after towing for approximately
1000 km (600 miles).
NOTICE
■When the rear bumper strengthening material is aluminum
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that area.
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to corrosion,
which will weaken the section concerned and may result in damage. Apply a rust inhib-
itor to parts that will come in co ntact when attaching a steel bracket.
237
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(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 an d 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 steerin g
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 runni ng ahead of
you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined length of your v ehi-
cle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that 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
245
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(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 retailer or Lexus au thorized repairer, or any reliable repairer
immediately
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating so mewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact any authorized Lexus
retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
255
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
Turn signal lever
The lever will return to its original position immediately after operation.
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■If the turn signals do not stop flashing af ter turning left or right, or if you want
to stop them flashing
Operate the lever in the opposite direction to either position or .
If you move the lever to either position or , the selected turn signals will
flash.
■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.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
23
14
2564-2. Driving procedures
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
Parking brake
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will
come on. (P. 257)
Press and hold the parking brake switch
if an emergency occurs and it is neces-
sary to operate the parking brake while
driving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch while
depressing the brake pedal. Make sure
that the parking brake indicator light
goes off.
The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift lever oper a-
tion.
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.
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
1
2
Automatic mode
257
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
■Parking brake operation
●When the engine switch is not in IGNI TION 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 (automatic
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 overheating. If this happens, refrain from operating the
parking brake. Normal operation wi ll return after about 1 minute.
●Vehicles with towing package: In situations such as when parking while towing a trailer,
the maximum amount of braking force can be used by pressing the parking brake
switch with the parking brake already set.
●Vehicles without towing package: In situations such as when parking on a steep slope *,
the maximum amount of braking force can be used by pressing the parking brake
switch with the parking brake already set.
* : Use wheel chocks when parking on a steep slope.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light
●Depending on the engine switch mode, the 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 indi-
cator light will stay on for about 15 seco nds. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning message will turn on or flash. ( P. 520, 524)
Depending on the condition, the park ing brake indicator light may flash.
■Parking the vehicle P. 222
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer P. 528
■Usage in winter time P. 383
259
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
Brake Hold (GS350/GS200t)
Turns the brake hold system onThe brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the system is
holding the brake, the brake hold oper-
ated indicator (yellow) comes on.
■Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turn ed on in the following conditions:
●The driver’s door is not closed.
●The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
●“EPB Activation Stopped Incompletely” or “Electronic Parking Brake Malfunction Visit
Your Dealer” is displayed on the multi-information display.
If any of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is enabled, the
system will turn off and the brake hold standby indicator light will go off. In addition, if any
of the conditions are detected while the sy stem is holding the brake, a warning buzzer
will sound and a message will be shown on th e multi-information display. The parking
brake will then be set automatically.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released for a pe riod of about 3 minutes after the system has
started holding the brake, th e parking brake will be set automatically. In this case, a
warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information display.
●To turn the system off while the system is holding the brake, firmly depress the brake
pedal and press the button again.
●The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep incline.
In this situation, it may be necessary for the driver to apply the brakes. A warning
buzzer will sound and the multi-information disp lay will inform the driver of this situa-
tion. ( P. 524)
The brake hold system keeps the brake a pplied when the shift lever is in D, M
or N with the system on and the brake pedal has been depressed to stop the
vehicle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator pedal is
depressed with the shift lever in D or M to allow smooth start off.
2604-2. Driving procedures
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30F83E_(EE)
■When the parking brake is set automatically while the system is holding the brakes
The parking brake will not be released auto matically. Perform one of the following proce-
dures to release the parking brake and conf irm that the parking brake indicator light
turns off. ( P. 256)
●With the brake pedal depressed, operate the parking brake switch.
●Fasten your seat belt, check that the shift leve r is in either D or R and slowly depress the
accelerator pedal.
■Warning message and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. ( P. 524)
WARNING
■When the vehicle is on a steep incline
When using the brake hold system on a steep incline exercise caution. The brake hold
function may not hold the vehicle in such a situation.
■When stopped on a slippery road
The system cannot stop the vehicle when the gripping ability of the tires has been
exceeded. Do not use the system when stopped on a slippery road.
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
The brake hold system is not designed fo r use when parking the vehicle for a long
period of time. Turning the en gine switch off while the system is holding the brake may
release the brake, which would cause the ve hicle to move. When operating the engine
switch, depress the brake pedal, set the pa rking brake and shift the shift lever to P.