Fuel pump shut-off. When a warning light illuminates or a warning buzzer sounds

The fuel pump shutoff in the Lexus GS (4th generation) prevents fuel from leaking after an accident. This chapter describes how to restart the engine after the system has been activated and gives safety instructions for checking for fuel leaks before starting. It also explains the correct response to warning lights and warning buzzers so the driver can react appropriately in an emergency.

Fuel Pump Shutoff

To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stops or the airbags deploy in a collision, the fuel pump shutoff interrupts the fuel supply to the engine in this case.

Follow these steps to restart the engine after the system has been activated.

1. 1
   Set the engine switch to ACCESSORY mode or turn it off.
2. 2
   Start the engine again.

■ Before Starting the Engine

Check the ground under the vehicle.

If the vehicle is leaking fuel, the fuel system is damaged and must be repaired. Do not start the engine.

When a Warning Light Comes On or a Warning Buzzer Sounds

If any of the warning lights comes on or flashes, stay calm and perform the following steps. If a light comes on or flashes and then goes off again, this does not necessarily indicate a system malfunction. However, if this happens frequently, have the vehicle inspected by a Lexus dealer or repairer or another qualified and properly equipped workshop.

List of Warning Lights and Warning Buzzers

*1: Door warning buzzer

*2: Driver and front passenger seat belt reminder buzzer: The driver and front passenger seat belt reminder buzzer sounds to remind the driver and front passenger that their seat belts are not fastened. At speeds above 20 km/h, the buzzer sounds intermittently for 30 seconds.

If the seat belt is still not fastened after that, the buzzer sounds for another 90 seconds with a different tone.

■ Front Passenger Occupant Detection Sensor, Seat Belt Reminder and Warning Buzzer

• If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger occupant detection sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to sound even when no one is sitting in the front passenger seat.
• If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect an occupant and the warning light will not operate properly.

■If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On While Driving

The malfunction indicator lamp comes on when the fuel tank is completely empty. If the fuel tank is empty, refuel the vehicle immediately. The light will turn off after several trips.

If the malfunction indicator lamp does not turn off, have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible by a Lexus dealer or repairer or another qualified and properly equipped workshop.

■Electric Power Steering Warning Light (Warning Buzzer)

If the battery charge is insufficient or the voltage temporarily drops, the electric power steering warning light may come on and the warning buzzer may sound.

■If the Tire Pressure Warning Light Comes On

Perform the following steps after the tire temperature has dropped sufficiently.

• Check the tire pressure and adjust it to the specified value.
• If the warning light does not turn off after several minutes, check that the tire pressure is at the specified value and perform an initialization.

The warning light may come on again if the steps above are performed before the tire temperature has dropped sufficiently.

■ The Tire Pressure Warning Light May Also Come On Due to Natural Causes

The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes, such as natural air loss or a change in tire pressure caused by temperature. In this case, correcting the tire pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few minutes).

■If a Wheel Has Been Replaced With the Spare Tire

Vehicles with a temporary spare tire: The temporary spare tire is not equipped with a valve and transmitter for the tire pressure monitoring system. If a tire has a puncture, the tire pressure warning light does not turn off, even if the wheel with the damaged tire has been replaced with the temporary spare tire.

Vehicles with a regular spare tire: The spare tire is also equipped with a valve and transmitter for the tire pressure monitoring system. The tire pressure warning light comes on if the spare tire pressure is low. If a tire has a puncture, the tire pressure warning light does not turn off, even if the wheel with the damaged tire has been replaced with the spare tire.

■ Conditions Under Which the Tire Pressure Monitoring System May Not Operate Properly

■If the Tire Pressure Warning Light Comes On Frequently After Flashing for 1 Minute

If the tire pressure warning light comes on frequently after flashing for 1 minute following the engine switch being set to IGNITION ON mode, have the system inspected by a Lexus dealer or repairer or another qualified and properly equipped workshop.

■ Warning Buzzer

The warning buzzer may not be heard if the surroundings or the audio system are too loud.

WARNING

■If both the "ABS" and brake system warning lights remain on

Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe place and contact a Lexus dealer or authorized repair shop, or another qualified repair facility with the appropriate equipment. Vehicle stability is severely affected when braking, and the ABS system may fail, which can cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

■ If the electric power steering warning light comes on

The steering wheel may feel extremely heavy.

If the steering wheel is harder to turn than usual, hold it firmly and apply more force than normal when steering.

■ If the tire pressure warning light comes on

Be sure to observe the following precautions. Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

• Stop the vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Correct the tire pressure immediately.
• If the tire pressure warning light remains on after correcting the tire pressure, you probably have a flat tire. Check the tires. If you have a flat tire, install the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by a Lexus dealer or authorized repair shop, or another qualified repair facility with the appropriate equipment.
• Avoid sudden steering and braking. If the tires are in poor condition, you may lose control of steering or braking.

■ If a tire blows out or suddenly loses air

The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

■ To make sure the tire pressure warning system operates properly

Do not install tires of different specifications or from different manufacturers, as this may affect the proper operation of the tire pressure warning system.

The fuel pump shutoff of the Lexus GS GRL1 (2016–2020) improves safety after a collision by stopping the fuel flow. Clear reactivation instructions help the driver reset the system safely and return the vehicle to operation.

The comprehensive warning and indicator system supports the premium character of the Lexus GS 4th generation. It keeps this sport sedan a reliable partner even in exceptional situations.