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GS350_GS F_OM_OM30J07U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake (
P. 217), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “POWER ON” on the multi-informa-
tion display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the en gine switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be used.
“POWER ON” will not be displayed on
the multi-information display.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the engine, the engine
switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4
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Driving
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 disp layed on the multi-information display
and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on th e 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 ti me when the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 140
■Conditions affe cting operation
P. 158
■Notes for the entry function
P. 159
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system ma y not have been deactivated. (P. 77)
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is se curely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift lever is
displaced out of P. “Shift to P position to St art” 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 func tion. Operating the engine switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other than P
“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.
1
2
3
4
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■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 re
peatedly in a short period of time. In this case, refrain from
operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume func-
tioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” will be displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 411
■Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may not change
or the engine may not start.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine switch off, the
engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine switch off, please wait a
few seconds before restarting the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a customized
setting
P. 502
WARNING
■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, re sulting 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. 425)
However, do not touch the engi ne 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.
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GS350_GS F_OM_OM30J07U_(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. 211)
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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 fo r 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 Fl uid 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, downshifti ng operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circum stances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever or paddle shif t switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turn ed off after driving in
snow mode.
■When driving with 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 crui se 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)
8-speed models: While driving in the D posi tion, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4.
( P. 266, 278)
●When switching the driving mode to spor t mode while driving in D position. (P. 281)
■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. 442)
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed t oo much while the vehicle is in reverse.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent ac cidental operation of the shift lever in start-
ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in IGNITION ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.
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■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brak
e pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock system. Have the vehi cle inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Press the parking brake switch to chec k that the parking brake is set. (P. 217)
Parking brake indicator will come on.
Turn the engine switch to off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■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 selects 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 switch or shifting the shift lever to the M
position cancels this function.) Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver
or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip
of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the button
is pressed.
1
2
3
4
5
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Driving
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehicle
skidding to the side or spinning.
■To prevent an accident wh en releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override butto n, make sure to set the parking brake and
depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depres s instead of the brake pedal when the shift
lock override button is pressed and the shif t lever is shifted out of P, the vehicle may
suddenly start, possibly leading to an acci dent resulting in death or serious injury.
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Driving
Parking brake
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will
come on. (
P. 218)
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 auto matically according to shift lever opera-
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
U.S.A. Canada
1
2
Automatic mode