2010 Lexus ES350 sensor

149
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
ES350_U
Windshield wipers and washer
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 and vehicle speed.
Rain-sensing windshield
wiper operation
Low speed windshield wiper
operation
High speed windshield wiper
operation
Temporary operation
Sensor sensitivity (high)
Sensor sensitivity (low)

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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
ES350_U
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■Rain drop sensor
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 194qF (90 qC) or higher, or 5 qF
( -1 5 qC) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate
the wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”,
■AUTO mode
If the wiper switch is turned to AUTO position while the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch is in IGNITION ON mode, the wiper will operate once to show that AUTO
mode is activated.
■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.
Wash/wipe operation
Wipers operate automatically.
(With “AUTO” selected, after
operating several times, the wip-
ers operate one more time after
a short delay to prevent drip-
ping.)
●The sensor judges the amount of raindrops.

151
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
ES350_U
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 subjected to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers or
anything 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.

158
2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles
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.
■ Changing the vehicle- to-vehicle distance
Each push of the switch changes
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
Long
Medium
Short
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance
is automatically set to the long
mode when the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is
switched to IGNITION ON
mode.
A mark will be displayed to indi-
cate the presence of the vehicle
if a vehicle is running ahead of
you.
Preceding
vehicle mark

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2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_UExample of acceleration (when there are no longer vehicles driving
slower than the set speed in the lane ahead): When the speed is set to
62 mph (100 km/h) and the vehicle ahead driving at 50 mph (80 km/
h) is out of the lane
When the vehicle ahead of you executes a lane change, the system slowly
accelerates until the set vehicle speed is reached. The system then returns to
fixed speed cruising.
■Fine adjustment of the set speed
Adjustment of the set speed by the following speed can be made by lightly pressing
the lever up or down and releasing it.
In the constant speed control mode: Approximately 1.0 mph (1.6 km/h)
In the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode: USA: Approximately 5 mph (8 km/h)
Canada: Approximately 3 mph (5 km/h)
■Dynamic radar cruise control warning lights, messages and buzzers
Warning lights, messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or
to alert you to the need for caution while driving. ( oP. 4 4 9 )
■Dynamic radar cruise control can be set when
●The shift lever is in D or the 4, 5 or 6 range of S.
●Vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (50 km/h).
■Accelerating
The vehicle can accelerate normally. After acceleration, the set speed resumes.
However, during vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the vehicle speed may
decrease below the set speed in order to maintain the distance to the vehicle
ahead.
■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.*

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U
●The windshield wipers are operating at high 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 approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) below the
preset vehicle speed
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Vehicle speed falls below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h)
●VSC is activated
■Vehicle-to-vehicle distance settings
Select a distance from the table below. Note that the distances shown correspond
to a vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). Vehicle-to-vehicle distance increases/
decreases in accordance with vehicle speed.
■Radar sensor and grille cover
Always keep the sensor and grille cover clean to ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control operates properly. (Some obstructions, such as snow, ice or plastic
objects, cannot be detected by the obstruction sensor.)
Dynamic radar cruise control is canceled if an obstruction is detected.
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 164 ft. (50 m)
MediumApproximately 132 ft. (40 m)
ShortApproximately 100 ft. (30 m)
Grille cover
Radar sensor

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U
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.
●On steep downhills, or 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 or emergency towing
■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 ( oP. 449) 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.)

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2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U
CAUTION
●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
■Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the cruise control system can function effectively:
●Keep the sensor and front grille clean at all times.
Clean the sensor and front grille with a soft cloth so you do not mark or damage
them.
●Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may malfunction. If the
sensor or surrounding area is subject to a strong impact, always have the area
inspected and adjusted by a Lexus dealer.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille or surrounding area.
●Do not modify or paint the sensor and grille.
■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