2007 Lexus GS450h brake

162
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Restrains the vehicle from slipping when driving on slick road surfaces or
in the event of sudden braking.
■BA (Brake Assist)
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding wh en swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operat es for approximately 5 seconds at maxi -
mum.
■ VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering)
Adjusts the wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed and
steering wheel movement.
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■Active stabilizer suspension system
Turns at smaller angles to main tain the stable vehicle posture.

163
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
When the VSC/TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, rolling backwards when
star
ting on an incli ne, or if the rear
wheels spin, the slip indicator light
flashes to indicate that the VSC/
TRAC/hill-start assist control sys -
tems have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC is operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-star
t
assist control system is operating.
The slip indicator light flashes as
well when ABS is operating.
■ VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the AB S, VSC, TRAC, hill-start assist con-
trol, VGRS and EPS systems. 
Maintains vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
contr
olling the brakes, engine output, and the movement of the front
wheels.
■ PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
 P. 1 6 7

164
2-4. Using other driving systems
To disable TRAC
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC may reduce power
from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn the system off to
enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
Push the button to turn off TRAC.
The slip indicator light should come
on.
Push the button again to turn the
sy
stem back on.
Once you turn the power switch
“
OFF”, TRAC will be activated
automatically.
■Automatic TRAC reactivation
TRAC is reactivated when vehicle speed exceeds 30 mph (50 km/h) even if
“

TRAC OFF” has been turned off.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, BA, VSC, TRAC, hill-start assist con-
trol and VGRS systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the hybrid system is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that
a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operat -
ing. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly af
ter the ABS is activated.
■Hill-start assist control is operational when
●The shift lever is in the “D” or “S” position.
●The brake pedal is not depressed.

167
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
Radar sensor
Detects vehicles or other obsta-
cles on or near the road ahead and
determines whether a collision is
imminent based on the position,
sp

eed, and heading of the obsta -
cles.
Grille cover
Radar sensor
Safety systems such as the brakes and seat belts are automatically
engaged to lessen impact and injuries to occupants as well as vehicle dam
-
age when the radar sensor detects a
n unavoidable frontal collision.
■Pre-collision seat belts (front seats only)
The seat belts are immediately retracted as the effect of the pretensioner is
increased ( P. 4 4 ), to provide even greater constraining force to protect
the driver and passengers. In the event of sudden braking or skidding, the
s
ystem will operate even if no obstacle has been detected.
■Pre-collision brake assist
Applies greater braking force in relation to how strongly the brake pedal is
depressed.
■ Pre-collision AVS
If the system determines that the collision is unavoidable, the operation of
AV S ( P. 1 6 1 ) helps prevent the vehicle front from going down when hard
brakes are applied.
■Obstacles not detected
The sensor cannot detect plastic obstacles such as pylons. There may also be occa -
sions when the sensor cannot detect pedestrians, animals, bicycles, motorcycles,
tr
ees, or snowdrifts.

168
2-4. Using other driving systems
■The pre-collision system is operational when
●Seat belt (linked to the radar sensor)
• Vehicle speed is above 3 mph (5 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or oncoming vehicle exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h).
• The front occupants are wearing a seat belt.
●Seat belts (linked to brake operation)
• Vehicle speed exceeds 9 mph (15 km/h).
• The system detects sudd en braking or skidding.
• The front occupants are wearing a seat belt.
●Brake Assist
• Vehicle speed is above 18 mph (30 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or oncoming vehicle exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h).
• The brake pedal is depressed.
●AV S
• Vehicle speed is above 3 mph (5 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or oncoming vehicle exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h).
■Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no danger of collision
●When there is an object by the roadside at the entrance to a curve
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a curve
●When driving over a narrow iron bridge
●When there is a metal object on the road surface
●When driving on an uneven road surface
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a left-turn
●When your vehicle rapidly closes on the vehicle in front
When the system is activated in the situations described above there is also a possi-
bility that the seat belts will retract quickly and the brakes will be applied with a force
greater than normal. When the seat belt is locked in the retracted position, stop the
vehicle in a safe place, release the seat belt and refasten.
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning messages will turn on or flash. ( P. 432, 439)

175
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
● D
o not try to forcibly open a w indow or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen ar
ea to melt the ice. Wipe
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● T
o ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● R
emove any ice that has accumul ated on the vehicle chassis.
● P
eriodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that
may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the brakes.
■ When driving the v
ehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and dr iv
e at a reduced speed suitable
to road conditions.
■ When parking the v
ehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to “P” without setting the
parking br
ake. The parking brake ma y freeze up, preventing it from
being released.

235
3-3. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
Playing DVD video/audio
For safety reasons, you can enjoy the visual contents of discs only when the
vehicle is completely stopped with the power switch in “ACC” or “IG-ON”
mode and the parking brake applied. While you are driving, only audio con
-
tents may be played.
■ Video control screen
Press while the disc is playing, the following screen appears.
Return to video screen
Change screen mode ( P. 2 5 9 )

248
3-3. Using the audio system
Playing video CD
For safety reasons, you can enjoy the visual contents of discs only when the
vehicle is completely stopped with the power switch in “ACC” or “IG-ON”
mode and the parking brake applied. While you are driving, only audio con
-
tents may be played.
■ Video control screen
Press while the disc is playing, the following screen appears.
Returning to video screen
Changing screen mode ( P. 2 5 9 )