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Dynamic laser cruise control mode
1Vehicle to vehicle distance control mode
2Conventional cruise control mode
The dynamic laser cruise control function has two cruise
control modes.
Vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode for maintaining
an appropriate distance between vehicles
The conventional cruise control mode for cruising at
constant preset speeds
You can change the mode by using the control lever.
The two cruise control modes function dif ferently. When using
dynamic laser cruise control, always confirm which mode is
selected. For the vehicle
−to−vehicle distance control mode, see
“Vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode” on page 418. For
the conventional (fixed speed) cruise control mode, see
“Conventional (fixed speed) cruise control mode” on page 433.
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Vehicle to vehicle distance control mode
The system’s laser radar sensor detects the reflectors of
vehicles and measures the vehicle to vehicle distance.
The detection range of the sensor is about 120 m (400 ft.)
ahead.
CAUTION
Dynamic laser cruise control is not a
collision avoidance system and will not prevent
accidents. Dynamic laser cruise control is a vehicle
speed control device that is intended for use only on
freeways or roads where the traffic is light or moderate.
To avoid serious injury, you must use caution and be
attentive to road and traffic conditions while using
dynamic laser cruise control.
(a) Dynamic laser cruise control operations
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The dynamic laser cruise control function operates
automatically and depending on whether a vehicle is
detected ahead may change the
speed of your vehicle as
follows.
If no vehicle is running ahead of you —
1Cruising at a fixed speed: If there is no vehicle detected
ahead, your cruising speed is maintained at the preset
speed from about 45 km/h (28 mph) to about 135 km/h (85
mph). The preset speed is displayed in the display. For
the vehicle speed setting, see “(c) Setting the cruising
speed” on page 424. If a vehicle is detected ahead of you —
2Deceleration cruising function: If a slower moving
vehicle is detected ahead of you, your vehicle cruising
speed decreases within the range of about 40 km/h (25
mph) to 135 km/h (85 mph). The display shows the preset
speed, the detected vehicle ahead and selected
vehicle
−to−vehicle distance. If your vehicle gets closer to
the vehicle ahead because of insufficient automatic
deceleration, then the alarm warns you to also manually
apply brakes.
3Follow up cruising function: After deceleration, your
cruising speed changes to match the speed of the vehicle
ahead in order to maintain a constant vehicle −to− vehicle
distance. The following distance can be changed. For
details, see “(h) Changing vehicle −to−vehicle distance”
on page 427.
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CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on dynamic laser cruise control.
Observe the following precautions in order to avoid
serious injury or death:
Under certain conditions when the vehicle in front
slows abruptly, or is stopped, the dynamic laser
cruise control may be unable to decelerate
automatically or to warn you. You must apply the
brakes manually in order to maintain a safe
vehicle to vehicle distance or avoid collision.
Therefore, pay careful attention to following
distance, even when using the dynamic laser cruise
control.
Do not use dynamic laser cruise control in the
following conditions:
In bad weather (such as rain, fog, snow, sandstorms
or direct sunlight, or when raindrops or snowflakes
get on the laser radar sensor glass), the
vehicle to vehicle distance will not be measured
accurately.
When using the windshield wipers at high or low
speeds, the dynamic laser cruise control turns off.
On roads with heavy traffic or sharp bends, an
appropriate speed cannot be maintained and an
accident may occur.
On slippery road surfaces (icy or snow covered road
surfaces), the tires will race and you will be unable to
control the vehicle.
When there is no vehicle detected ahead on steep
downhill slopes, the preset speed will be easily
exceeded because of inefficient engine braking. (In
this case, automatic braking will not work.) If there is
a vehicle detected ahead, the delay in deceleration
timing could cause serious injury or death.
When the alarm sounds frequently (because of
frequent changes of speed or insufficient
vehicle to vehicle distance), this indicates that the
system cannot maintain an appropriate
vehicle to vehicle distance and an accident may
occur.
On roads with steep and short inclines and declines,
failure to detect the vehicle ahead will shorten the
distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead
and an accident may occur.
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Deceleration cruising function and approach
warning do not operate when the vehicle ahead is at
a stop or driving very slowly.
If the vehicle ahead of you decelerates abruptly or if
another vehicle cuts in ahead of you, your vehicle
may collide with the vehicle ahead unless you
manually depress the brake pedal to slow down your
vehicle.
Depending on the road configuration (curved, left
and right continuous curved, the start or end of a
curve, or narrow driving lanes due to road
construction) or your vehicle condition (steering
wheel maneuvering, position in the lane, or unstable
driving because of an accident or breakdown),
vehicles in other lanes or surrounding objects may
be detected, resulting in a control failure or the
approach warning activation. This may also result in
a very close distance between vehicles due to a
failure to detect the vehicle ahead.
Dynamic laser cruise control should not be used in
circumstances which are inappropriate for any cruise control,
such as entering free way on− ramps or off−ramps.
CAUTION
Do not use dynamic laser cruise control when exiting
from or when entering or merging onto a freeway.
When you are following a slower moving vehicle and
exiting, the sensor does not detect the vehicle and
will accelerate to the preset speed.
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If other vehicles are driving outside of the laser radar
detection range, a delay in the detection of the
vehicle cutting in at short range or failure to detect a
motorcycle running on the side of the same lane will
occur. In this case, the dynamic laser cruise control
system will not function properly.
When a slower vehicle in front of you leaves the lane,
the dynamic laser cruise control will no longer detect
a vehicle ahead and will attempt to accelerate the
vehicle to the faster preset speed.
(b) Turning the system on and off
To turn the dynamic laser cruise control on, press the
“ON−OFF” button. The “CRUISE” and “READY” indicator
lights on the instrument cluster will come on to indicate that the
vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode is operational.
Pressing the “ON −OFF” button again turns the system off.
When the system is turned off, cruising speed and
vehicle −to−vehicle distance must be reset when the
vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode is turned on again.
When the ignition is turned off, the system is also automatically
turned off. To use dynamic laser cruise control again, press the
“ON−OFF” button again to turn it on.
When the ignition is turned off, all the preset data is cleared.
When you use the dynamic laser cruise control again, you
need to reset the data.
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CAUTION
To avoid accidentally engaging the cruise control, turn
the system off when it is not in use. Make sure the
“CRUISE” indicator light is off.
(c) Setting the cruising speed
The transmission must be in the “D” position or the shift range
position must be “4” (fourth range) or “5” (fifth range) in “\
S”
mode (with multi−mode type) before you set the cruising
speed.
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Bring your vehicle to the desired speed, push the lever down
in the “−
SET” direction and release it. This sets the vehicle at
that speed. At this time, the display indicates settings such as
the preset vehicle speed, whether a vehicle is present ahead
and the selected following distance. If no vehicle is detected
ahead, the display does not indicate the vehicle ahead. You
can now take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If you need to accelerate — for example, when passing —
depress the accelerator pedal enough for the vehicle to exceed
the preset speed. When you release the accelerator pedal, the
vehicle will return to the control prior to acceleration.
You cannot set a desired speed if the master warning light
comes on, the alarm sounds and the display indicates one of
the warning codes “E1”, “E2” or “E3”. If any of the above codes
appears on the display, see “(l) Vehicle −to−vehicle distance
control mode failure warning” on page 431. (d) Cancelling the vehicle to vehicle distance control
mode
The vehicle
−to−vehicle distance control mode may be
temporarily cancelled by the driver or by the system itself under
certain circumstances. Temporary cancellation allows the set
cruising speed and vehicle −to−vehicle distance to remain in
memory.
The vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode can be
temporarily cancelled by doing the following:
Pulling the lever in the “CANCEL” direction and releasing it
Depressing the brake pedal
Under certain circumstances, the vehicle −to− vehicle distance
control mode is temporarily cancelled:
When vehicle speed falls below 40 km/h (25 mph)
When vehicle stability control is activated
The “READY” indicator light comes on to indicate that the
system is still in operation.
To turn the system off, press the “ON −OFF” button. Make sure
the “CRUISE” indicator light is off.
If one of the warning codes “E1”, “E2” or “E3” appears\
on the
display, the preset speed automatically cancels out. See “(l)
Vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode failure warning” on
page 431.
If the vehicle− to−vehicle distance control mode automatically
cancels out other than for the above cases, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer at the earliest opportunity.
