2008 LEXUS RX400H sensor

150
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
RX400h_U
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after all doors are closed with the engine switch turned to the ACC or LOCK
position. (The light turns off immediately if the LOCK button on the key is pressed
after all doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically with the
engine switch turned to the ACC or LOCK position and the driver’s door is
opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the ON position, or turn the
light switch OFF once and then back to the
or position.
■Automatic headlight leveling system (vehicles with discharge headlights)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere with other road users.
■If the indicator flashes... (veh icles with discharge headlights)
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Setting (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. (Customizable features
→ P. 4 5 8 )
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is off.

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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
RX400h_U
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch must be in the ON position.
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation (vehicles with the rain-sensing wind-
shield wipers)
When low speed wiper operation is selected, wiper operation will be switched from
low speed to intermittent wiper operation when the vehicle is stationary.
(However, the mode will not be switched when the adjustment dial for the auto-
matic wiper control sensitivity is set to high.)
■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.
Sensor sensitivity (high)
Sensor sensitivity (low)
Rain-sensing wiper operation
Low speed wiper operation
High speed wiper operation
Temporary operation
Washer/wiper dual operation
Wipers will automatically oper-
ate a couple of times after the
washer squirts.

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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
RX400h_U
■Rain drop sensor (vehicles 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 that can be configured at Lexus dealer
The setting of the wiper operation when the vehicle is stationary can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 4 5 8 )
CAUTION
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly 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 caught 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.

163
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX400h_U
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a laser radar sensor to detect the presence of vehi-
cles within 400 ft. (120 m) ahead and to judge the distance between your
vehicle and those vehicles.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close when traveling on long
downhill 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 operating 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 when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your
vehicle from closing on the vehicle ahead.

165
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX400h_U
■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 or low speed.*
*
: 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.
■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

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2-4. Using other driving systems
RX400h_U
■Vehicle-to-vehicle distance settings
Select a distance from the table below. Note that the distances shown correspond
to a vehicle speed of 55 mph (88 km/h). Vehicle-to-vehicle distance increases/
decreases in accordance with vehicle speed.
■Laser radar sensor
■Certification
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 245 ft. (75 m)
MediumApproximately 165 ft. (50 m)
ShortApproximately 100 ft. (30 m)
Always keep the sensor clean to ensure that
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control oper-
ates properly. (Some obstructions, such as
snow, ice or plastic objects, cannot be
detected by the obstruction sensor.)
Dynamic laser cruise control is canceled if an
obstruction is detected.
This product is a class I laser product complied with 21 C. F. R part 1040. 10. and
1040. 11.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Before using dynamic laser 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 inadvertent cruise control activation
Keep the ON-OFF button off when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic laser cruise control
Do not use dynamic laser 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
●Where there are sudden changes between sharp up and down gradients
●At entrances to expressways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors
from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, etc.)
●When buzzer can be heard often

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2-4. Using other driving systems
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■When the laser 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. 164) 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 laser 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 luggage
compartment, etc.)
●When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
●When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
■To ensure the laser radar sensor functions correctly
Do not do the following to the sensor as doing so may cause the sensor not to func-
tion correctly and could result in an accident.
●Stick or attach anything to them
●Leave them dirty
●Disassemble, subject them to strong shocks
●Modify or paint them
●Replace them with non-genuine parts