2006 Lexus IS250 ECT

123
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch is in IG-ON mode.
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the following even when the wipers are not in AUTO mode.
●Intermittent wiper interval (INT mode)
●Wiper operation when the washer is be ing used (delay until drip prevention
wiper sweep occurs)
With LO selected, wiper operation will be switched from low speed to intermittent
wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
(However, the mode cannot be switched wh en the adjustment dial for the intermit-
tent wiper interval is se t to the lowest setting.)
■Rain-sensing windshield wipers (if equipped)
With AUTO selected, the wipers will operate automatically when
the sensor detects falling rain. The system automatically adjusts
wiper timing in accordance with rain volume and vehicle speed.
Sensor sensitivity (low)
Sensor sensitivity (high)
Rain-sensing wiper operation
Low speed wiper operation
High speed wiper operation
Temporary operation
Wash/wipe operation
Wipers operate automatically.
(After operating several times,
the wipers operate one more
time after a short delay to pre-
vent dripping.)

124
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
■Rain drop sensor (vehicles equipped with the rain-sensing windshield wipers)
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. drip prevention function) can be changed. (P. 400)
CAUTION
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate unexpect edly if the sensor is touched or the
windshield is subject to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers or any-
thing else do not become caugh t in the windshield wipers.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled toward you
and held continually.
The sensor judges the amount of raindrops.

128
2-4. Using other driving systems
■If the cruise control indicator light flashes
Turn the ON-OFF button off once, and then reactivate the system.
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels immediately
after being activated, there may be a malfun ction in the cruise control system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Keep the ON-OFF button off when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in control of the vehicle being lost and could cause serious or
fatal accident.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On slippery roads, such as thos e covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep hills
●On winding roads

129
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Dynamic radar cruise control (if equipped)
Dynamic radar cruise control supplements conventional cruise control
with a vehicle-to-vehicle distance co ntrol. In the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control mode, the vehicle automa tically accelerates or decelerates
in order to maintain a set following distance from vehicles ahead.
■ Select cruise mode
Selecting vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control modeTurn the ON-OFF button
ON.
Push the button once more to
deactivate.
Selecting conventional con-
stant speed control mode Turn the ON-OFF button
ON.
Push the button once more to
deactivate.
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol mode is always reset when
the engine switch is switched to
IG-ON mode.
Switch to constant speed
control mode.
(push and hold for approxi-
mately one second)

130
2-4. Using other driving systems
■Driving in the selected cruise control mode
Accelerate or decelerate to the
desired speed and press the
lever down to set.
■ Adjusting the speed setting
Increase speed
Decrease speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is displayed.
In the constant speed control
mode, fine adjustment of the set
speed (approximately 1.0 mph
[1.6 km/h]) can be made by
lightly pressing the lever up or
down and releasing it.
■Canceling and resuming the speed setting
Cancel
Push the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The setting is also canceled
when the brakes are applied.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push the
lever up.

132
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles
within 328 ft. (100 m) ahead and to judge the distance between your
vehicle and those vehicles.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close when trave ling on long down-
hill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising (when there are no vehicles
ahead): When set to 62 mph (100 km/h)
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehi-
cle distance can also be set by oper ating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
switch.
Example of deceleration cruising (when the vehicle ahead is driving
slower than the set speed): When fixed speed cruising is set at 62 mph
(100 km/h) and the vehicle ahead is driving at 50 mph (80 km/h)
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, in the same lane, the sys-
tem automatically decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in
vehicle speed is necessary, the system applies the brakes. A warning tone
warns you on the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your vehi-
cle from closing on the vehicle ahead.
Example of follow-up cruising (when following a vehicle driving slower
than the set speed): When the speed is set to 62 mph (100 km/h) and
the vehicle ahead is driv ing at 50 mph (80 km/h)

133
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
The system continues follow-up cruising while adjusting for changes in the
speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance set by the driver.
Example of acceleration (when ther e are no longer vehicles driving
slower than the set speed in the lane ahead): When the speed is set to
62 mph (100 km/h) and the vehicle ahead driving at 50 mph (80 km/
h) is out of the lane
When the vehicle ahead of you executes a lane change, the system slowly
accelerates until the set vehicle speed is reached. The system then returns to
fixed speed cruising.
■Dynamic radar cruise control warning lights, messages and buzzers
Warning lights, messages and buzzers are us ed to indicate a system malfunction or
to alert you to the need for caution while driving. ( P. 3 3 8 )
■The dynamic radar cruise can be set when
●The shift lever is in D or the 4, 5 or 6 range of S.
●Vehicle speed is between approximately 27 mph (43 km/h) and 87 mph (139
km/h).
■Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally.
■Automatically canceling vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving is automatically canceled in the follow-
ing situations.
●Vehicle speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h)
●VSC is activated
●The sensor cannot operate correctly because it is covered in some way.*
●The windshield wipers are operating at high speed.*
●The ECT SNOW switch is set to snow mode.*
*
: Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving must be reset by turning the ON-OFF button on again.
If vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving is automatically canceled for any other
reason, there may be a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.

134
2-4. Using other driving systems
■Automatically cancelling constant speed control
The set speed is automatically canceled in the following situations.
●Actual vehicle speed is more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset vehicle
speed
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Vehicle speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h)
●VSC is activated
■Vehicle-to-vehicle distance settings
Select a distance from the table below. Note that the distances shown correspond
to a vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). Vehicle-to-vehicle distance increases/
decreases in accordance with vehicle speed.
■Radar sensor and grille cover
Always keep the sensor and grille cover clean to ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control operates properly. (Some obstructions, such as snow, ice or plastic
objects, cannot be detected by the obstruction sensor.)
Dynamic radar cruise control is canc eled if an obstruction is detected.
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 164 f t. (50 m)
MediumApproximately 132 ft. (40 m)
ShortApproximately 100 f t. (30 m)
Grille cover
Radar sensor