Lexus GS350 (2020 year). Manual in english - page 26

422

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■

LED Lights

The lights other than the front turn signal light (vehicles with single-beam headlights) and

outer foot lights each consist of a number of LEDs. If any of the LEDs burn out, take your

vehicle to your Lexus dealer to have the light replaced.

■

Condensation build-up on the inside of the lens

Temporary condensation build-up on the inside of the headlight lens does not indicate a

malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer for more information in the following situations: 

●

Large drops of water have built up on the inside of the lens.

●

Water has built up inside the headlight.

■

When replacing light bulbs



P. 416

WARNING

■

Replacing light bulbs

●

Turn off the lights. Do not attempt to replace the bulb immediately after turning off the

lights. 

The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.

●

Do not touch the glass portion of the light bulb with bare hands. When it is unavoid-

able to hold the glass portion, use and hold with a clean dry cloth to avoid getting

moisture and oils on the bulb.

Also, if the bulb is scratched or dropped, it may blow out or crack.

●

Fully install light bulbs and any parts used to secure them. Failure to do so may result

in heat damage, fire, or water entering the headlight unit. This may damage the head-

lights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.

■

To prevent damage or fire 

●

Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked. 

●

Check the wattage of the bulb before installing to prevent heat damage.

423

7

When trouble arises

7-1. Essential information

Emergency flashers...................424
If your vehicle has to be 

stopped in an 
emergency.................................425

If the vehicle is trapped in 

rising water ................................426

7-2. Steps to take in an 

emergency

If your vehicle needs 

to be towed................................ 427

If you think 

something is wrong................433

Fuel pump shut off system......434
If a warning light turns on or 

a warning buzzer 
sounds..........................................435

If a warning message is 

displayed.....................................442

If you have a flat tire (vehicles 

with spare tire) ......................... 473

If you have a flat tire (vehicles 

without spare tire)...................484

If the engine will not start ........498
If the parking brake cannot 

be released............................... 500

If the electronic key does not 

operate properly.....................502

If the vehicle battery is 

discharged................................ 505

If your vehicle overheats.........509
If the vehicle becomes 

stuck .............................................. 513

424

7-1. Essential information

Emergency flashers

Press the switch.

All the turn signal lights will flash.

To turn them off, press the switch once

again.

■

Emergency flashers

If the emergency flashers are used for a long time while the engine is not operating, the

battery may discharge.

The emergency flashers are used to warn other drivers when the vehicle has
to be stopped in the road due to a breakdown, etc.

425

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7-1. Essential information

If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency

Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.

Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to

slow the vehicle.

Shift the shift lever to N.



If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the engine.



If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle speed as
much as possible.
To stop the engine, press and hold
the engine switch for 2 consecutive
seconds or more, or press it briefly 3
times or more in succession.

Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.

Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following procedure:

1

2

3
4

3

Press and hold for 2 seconds or more 
or press briefly 3 times or more

4

WARNING

■

If the engine has to be turned off while driving

Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the brake pedal

harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn. Decelerate as much as possi-

ble before turning off the engine.

5

426

7-1. Essential information

If the vehicle is trapped in rising water

●

Remove the seat belt first.

●

If the door can be opened, open the door and exit the vehicle.

●

If the door can not be opened, open the window using the power window
switch and exit the vehicle through the window.

●

If the window can not be opened using the power window switch, remain
calm, wait until the water level inside the vehicle rises to the point that the
water pressure inside of the vehicle equals the water pressure outside of the
vehicle, and then open the door and exit the vehicle.

■

How to distinguish laminated glass

In the event the vehicle is submerged in water, remain calm and perform the
following.

WARNING

■

Using an emergency hammer

*

1

 for emergency escape

The rear side windows and rear window of this vehicle can be shattered by an emer-

gency hammer

*

1

 used for emergency escape, however, since the windshield and front

side windows

*

2

 are laminated glass they can not be shattered by an emergency ham-

mer

*

1

.

*

1

: Contact your Lexus dealer or aftermarket accessory manufacturer for further infor-

mation about an emergency hammer.

*

2

: Vehicles with laminated glass

■

Escaping the vehicle from the window

There are cases where escaping the vehicle from the window is not possible due to

seating position, passenger body type, etc. 

When using an emergency hammer, consider your seat location and the size of the

window opening to ensure that the opening is accessible and large enough to escape.

When looking from the cross-sectional view

point, laminated glass is two sheets of glass

pasted together.

Laminated glass
Tempered glass

1

2

427

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

If your vehicle needs to be towed

The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing service before towing.

●

The engine is running but the vehicle does not move.

●

The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.

Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.

If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing service, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.

Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing

Towing with a sling-type truck

Towing with a wheel-lift type truck



From the front



From the rear 

Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.

Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.

428

7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

If your vehicle is transported by a flatbed truck, it should be tied down at the loca-
tions shown in the illustration.

If you use chains or cables to tie down your vehicle, the angles shaded in black
must be 45



.

Do not overly tighten the tie downs or the vehicle may be damaged.

If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be temporarily
towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency towing eyelets. This
should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads for at most 50 miles (80 km)
at under 18 mph (30 km/h). 
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The vehicle’s
wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condition.

Using a flatbed truck



GS350



GS F



GS350



GS F

Emergency towing

429

7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Take out the towing eyelet. (



P. 474, 486)

Remove the eyelet cover using a flathead screwdriver. 

To protect the bodywork, place a rag between the screwdriver and the vehicle body

as shown in the illustration.

Insert the towing eyelet into the hole
and tighten partially by hand.

Emergency towing procedure

1

2



GS350 (except F SPORT models)



GS350 (F SPORT models)



GS F

3

430

7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench
or hard metal bar.

Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.

Take care not to damage the vehicle body.

Enter the vehicle being towed and start the engine.

If the engine does not start, turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode.

Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: 



P. 214

■

While towing 

If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not function,

making steering and braking more difficult.

■

Wheel nut wrench

Wheel nut wrench is installed in trunk. (



P. 474, 486)

4

5

6

7

431

7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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WARNING

Observe the following precautions. 

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

■

When towing the vehicle

■

While towing

●

When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place excessive

stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eyelets, cables or chains

may become damaged, broken debris may hit people, and cause serious damage.

●

Do not turn the engine switch off.

There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be operated.

■

Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle

Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.

If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing.

2WD models:

Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four

wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is

towed with the tires contacting the ground, the

drivetrain and related parts may be damaged

or an accident may occur due to a change in

direction of the vehicle.
AWD models:

Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four

wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is

towed with the tires contacting the ground, the

drivetrain or related parts may be damaged,

the vehicle may fly off the truck.

432

7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

NOTICE

■

To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck

●

Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is off. The steering lock

mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight.

●

When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the oppo-

site end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the vehicle could be dam-

aged while being towed.

■

To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck

Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.

■

To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing

Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.

■

Recreational towing (behind motor home, etc.)

Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent caus-

ing serious damage to the transfer (AWD mod-

els) and transmission.

433

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

If you think something is wrong

●

Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)

●

Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear

●

Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher than nor-
mal.

●

Changes in exhaust sound

●

Excessive tire squeal when cornering

●

Strange noises related to the suspension system

●

Pinging or other noises related to the engine

●

Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly

●

Appreciable loss of power

●

Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking

●

Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road

●

Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches the floor

If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.

Visible symptoms

Audible symptoms

Operational symptoms

434

7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Fuel pump shut off system

Follow the procedure below to restart the engine after the system is activated.

Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY mode or turn it off.
Restart the engine.

To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or when an airbag
inflates upon collision, the fuel pump shut off system stops the supply of fuel to
the engine.

NOTICE

■

Before starting the engine

Inspect the ground under the vehicle.

If you find that fuel has leaked onto the ground, the fuel system has been damaged and

is in need of repair. Do not restart the engine.

1

2

435

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer 
sounds

Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

Warning light and warning buzzer list

Warning light

Warning light/Details/Actions

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)

• Low  brake  fluid

• Malfunction in the brake booster system



Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your

Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.

(If equipped)

Charging system warning light

Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system



Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your

Lexus dealer.

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

Malfunction indicator lamp

Indicates a malfunction in:

• The electronic engine control system;

• The electronic throttle control system; or

• The electronic automatic transmission control system



Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

SRS warning light

Indicates a malfunction in:

• The SRS airbag system;

• The front passenger occupant classification system; or

• The seat belt pretensioner system



Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

ABS warning light

Indicates a malfunction in:

• The ABS; or

• The brake assist system



Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

436

7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)

Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering) sys-

tem



Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

(Flashes or illuminates)

(If equipped)

PCS warning light

Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or that

the system is temporarily unavailable due to the vehicle being

extremely hot/cold, or dirt around a front sensor, etc. 

(



P. 255, 442)



Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information dis-

play. (



P. 255, 442)

If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or VSC (Vehicle Stability Con-

trol) system is disabled, the PCS warning light will illuminate.



P. 300

Slip indicator

Indicates a malfunction in:

• The VSC system;

• The TRAC system; or

• The hill-start assist control system



Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

The light will flash when the VSC or TRAC system is operating.

(Flashes)

(If equipped)

“AFS OFF” indicator

Indicates a malfunction in the adaptive front-lighting system



Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

(Flashes)

Brake hold operated indicator

Indicates a malfunction in the brake hold system



Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

Warning light

Warning light/Details/Actions

437

7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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(Flashes)

(U.S.A.)

(Flashes)

(Canada)

Parking brake indicator

Indicates a malfunction in the parking brake system



Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

Brake system warning light 

Indicates a malfunction in the parking brake system



Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

(GS F only)

Open door warning light (warning buzzer)

*

1

Indicates that a door or the trunk is not fully closed



Check that all the doors and the trunk are closed.

Low fuel level warning light

Except F SPORT models of GS350, and GS F: Indicates remain-

ing fuel is approximately 2.6 gal. (10.0 L, 2.2 Imp.gal.) or less

F SPORT models of GS350: Indicates remaining fuel is approxi-

mately 2.6 gal. (9.9 L, 2.2 Imp.gal.) or less



Refuel the vehicle.

Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)

*

2

Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their seat belts



Fasten the seat belt. 

If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front passenger’s

seat belt also needs to be fastened to make the warning light

(warning buzzer) off.

Master warning light

A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and flashes to

indicate that the master warning system has detected a malfunc-

tion.



P. 442

Tire pressure warning light

When the light comes on:

Low tire inflation pressure such as

• Natural causes (



P. 439)

• Flat  tire  (



P. 473, 484)



Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level. 

The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the light does

not turn off even if the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, have the

system checked by your Lexus dealer.

When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:

Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system



Have the system checked by your Lexus dealer.

Warning light

Warning light/Details/Actions