2008 Lexus GS350 Snow

161
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_G_U
June 19, 2008 12:54 pm
CAUTION
■Before using dynamic radar cruise control
Do not overly rely on vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Be aware of the set vehicle speed. If automatic deceleration/acceleration is not
appropriate, adjust the vehicle speed, as well as the distance between your vehicle
and vehicles ahead by applying the brakes, etc.
■To avoid operating the dynamic radar cruise control by mistake
Keep the “ON-OFF” button off when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate control of speed and could cause serious or
fatal accident.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep downhills, where there are sudden changes between sharp up and
down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●At entrances to expressways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors
from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, etc.)
●When the approach warning buzzer can be heard often
GS_U_G.book Page 161 Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:54 PM

162
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U
June 19, 2008 12:54 pm
CAUTION
■When the radar sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles are in
front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles, the prox-
imity alarm (→P. 506) will not be activated, and an accident may result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
■Conditions under which the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control may not function
correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the following conditions as the radar sensor may
not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and an accident may result.
●When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the function-
ing of the sensor
●When your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the trunk, etc.)
●When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
●When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
●When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly
GS_U_G.book Page 162 Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:54 PM

176
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U
June 19, 2008 12:54 pm
●In the following situations, the intuitive parking assist may not function correctly,
possibly leading to an accident.
• There is ice, snow or mud on the sensors. (Wiping the sensors will resolve thisproblem.)
• The sensor area is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.) In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen the screen may show an abnor-
mal display, or obstacles may not be detected.
• The vehicle angle is especially wide.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather.
• When driving on bumpy, sloped or gravel roads, or over grass.
• If there is something producing ultrasonic waves nearby, such as another vehicle’s horn, motorcycle engine noise, air braking sound from heavy-duty
vehicles, or another vehicle using the intuitive parking assist.
• In heavy rain, or if water is splashed on the sensors.
• If a commercial fender pole or radio antenna is installed.
• If towing eyelet is installed on your vehicle.
• If moving towards a high curb or a curb corner.
• Objects such as signs may cause the detection distance to shorten.
• The area directly under the bumpers is not detected. Objects lower than the sensors or thin stakes etc. may be detected initially,
but as they draw closer, they may cease to be detected.
• If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
■Obstacles that may not be detected correctly
The following obstacles may not be detected.
●Thin objects such as wire, fencing or rope.
●Objects that absorb sound waves, such as cotton or snow.
●Objects with sharp corners.
●Objects where the upper section projects out over the lower section.
●Low objects.
■If the display flashes and a message is displayed
→ P. 5 0 7
GS_U_G.book Page 176 Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:54 PM

180
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U
June 19, 2008 12:54 pm
■Rear view monitor system camera
■Smear effectIn the following cases, it may be difficult to
see the images on the screen, even when the
system is functioning correctly.
• In the dark (e.g. at night).
• If the temperature near the lens is
extremely high or low.
• If water droplets get on the camera, or when humidity is high (e.g. when it rains).
• If foreign matter (e.g. snow or mud) get on the camera lens.
• If the sun or headlights are shining directly into the camera lens.
If a bright light (for example, sunlight
reflected off the vehicle body) is picked up by
the camera, a smear effect* peculiar to the
camera may occur.
*: Smear effect—A phenomenon that occurswhen a bright light (for example, sunlight
reflected off the vehicle body) is picked up
by the camera; when transmitted by the
camera, the light source appears to have a
vertical streak above and below it.
GS_U_G.book Page 180 Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:54 PM

186
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U
June 19, 2008 12:54 pm
To disable TRAC and/or VSCIf the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC and VSC 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.
■ Turning off TRAC only
Quickly push and release the but-
ton to turn off TRAC.
The slip indicator light should come
on.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.
■Turning off both TRAC and VSC
Push and hold the button for more
than 3 seconds while the vehicle is
stopped to turn off TRAC and
VSC.
The slip and VSC OFF indicator
light should come on.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.
GS_U_G.book Page 186 Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:54 PM

188
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U
June 19, 2008 12:54 pm
■Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating when
there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering wheel
may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input or
stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The system should return to normal about
10 minutes.
■GS460: VGRS is disabled in the following situations
●During stopping or the steering wheel has been moved for a long time while
driving at lower speeds.
●After the engine is restarted at less than -22°F (-30°C).
CAUTION
Any of the following conditions may result in an accident which could cause death or
serious injury:
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded.
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick road.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating will exceed that of normal condi-
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situations.
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven roads
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
GS_U_G.book Page 188 Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:54 PM

191
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_G_U
June 19, 2008 12:54 pm
■Obstacles not detected
The sensor cannot detect plastic obstacles such as pylons. There may also be occa-
sions when the radar sensor cannot detect pedestrians, animals, bicycles, motorcy-
cles, trees, or snowdrifts.
■The pre-collision system is operational when
●Seat belts (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 oncomingvehicle exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h).
• The front occupants are wearing a seat belt.
●Seat belts (linked to brake operation)
• Vehicle speed exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h).
• The system detects sudden 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).
GS_U_G.book Page 191 Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:54 PM

199
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GS_G_U
June 19, 2008 12:54 pm
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■Pre-winter preparations
● Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific gravity of
battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of
tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To 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.
● Remove any ice that has accumulated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that
may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the brakes.
GS_U_G.book Page 199 Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:54 PM