2009 Lexus ES350 brake sensor

136
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
AFS (vehicles with discharge headlights)AFS (Adaptive Front lighting System) improves visibility at intersections
and on curves by automatically adjusting the direction of light axis of the
headlights according to vehicle speed and the degree of the tire angle
that are controlled by steering input.
Operates at speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher.
■ Deactivating AFS
Turn the switch OFF to deactivate
AFS.
OFF
ON
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on automati-
cally (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the parking brake
is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
■Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight control system to mal-
function.

149
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
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 traveling 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 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.

153
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
For vehicles sold in Canada
Operation is subject to the following two conditions;
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation of the device.
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 inadvertent cruise control activation
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 control of the vehicle being lost and could cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●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.)
●Where buzzer can be heard often
●When towing a trailer

154
2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
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. 386) 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
■To ensure the radar sensor functions correctly
Do not do the following to the sensor or grille cover as doing so may cause the sen-
sor not to function 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

159
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■Sensor detection information
●Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where this
may occur are listed below.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor.
• The sensor is frozen.
• The sensor is covered in any way.
• The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass
• The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle engines,air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises producing ultrasonic waves.
• There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the vicinity.
• The sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain
• The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
• Towing eyelets are installed.
• The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of their
shapes, signs and other objects may be judged by the sensor to be closer than they
are.
●The shape of the obstacle may prevent the sensor from detecting it. Pay particu-
lar attention to the following obstacles.
• Wires, fences, ropes etc.
• Cotton, snow and other materials that absorb radio waves
• Sharply-angled objects
• Low obstacles
• Tall obstacles with upper sections projecting outwards in the direction of your
vehicle

164
2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
PCS (Pre-Collision System)∗
Radar sensorDetects vehicles or other obsta-
cles on or near the road ahead and
determines whether a collision is
imminent based on the position,
speed, 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 an unavoidable frontal collision.
■Pre-collision seat belts
If the pre-collision sensor detects that a collision is unavoidable, the pre-
collision system will retract the seat belt before the collision occurs.
The same will happen if the driver makes an emergency braking or loses
control of the vehicle. ( →P. 5 1 )
■Pre-collision brake assist
Applies greater braking force in relation to how strongly the brake pedal is
depressed.
■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,
trees, or snowdrifts.
∗: If equipped

165
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■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 oncomingvehicle exceeds 18 to 24 mph (30 to 40 km/h).
• The front occupants are wearing a seat belt.
●Seat belts (linked to brake operation)
• Vehicle speed is above 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 the vehicle is greater than 18 to 24 mph (30 to 40 km/h).
• The brake pedal is depressed.
■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. 375, 386)

5
When trouble arises
373
5-1. Essential information
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
Event data recorder
In a crash or a near car crash eventThe SRS airbag sensor assembly contains the EDR. In a crash or a near
car crash event, this device may record some or all of the following infor-
mation:
● Engine speed
● Whether the brake pedal was applied or not
● Vehicle speed
● To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
● Position of the transmission shift lever
● Whether the driver and front passenger wore seat belts or not
● Driver's seat position
● SRS airbag deployment data
● SRS airbag system diagnostic data
● Front passenger's occupant classification
The information above is intended to be used for the purpose of improv-
ing vehicle safety performance. Unlike general data recorders, the EDR
does not record sound data such as conversation between passengers.
Your vehicle has computers that monitor and control certain aspects of
your vehicle. These computers assist in driving and maintaining optimal
vehicle performance.
Besides storing data useful for troubleshooting, there is a system to
that record data in a crash or a near car crash event.