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2-1. Driving procedures
IS250/220d/200d_EE
Starting off on a hill (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Hill-start assist control will operate. (P. 223)
Driving in the rain
Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driv-
ing. This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implemen-
tation to meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
When the accelerator pedal is released
Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recom-
mended to observe:
For the first 300 km (186 miles):
Avoid sudden stops.
For the first 800 km (500 miles):
Do not tow a trailer.
For the first 1000 km (621 miles):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
IS250/220d/200d_EE
CAUTION
On vehicles with an automatic transmission, do not shift the shift lever to
P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
Do not shift the shift lever to D (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
or 1 (vehicles with a manual transmission) while the vehicle is moving
backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult
to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as
it is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 5 3 1
Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (P. 161)
When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving on slippery road surfaces
Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are
wet and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, result-
ing in an accident.
When shifting the shift lever
With automatic transmission vehicles, be careful not to shift the shift lever
with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional, as soon as
possible.
Rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Front brake only: Moderate levels of brake pad and disc wear allow
enhanced front braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly
than conventional brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads,
Lexus recommends that you also have the thickness of the discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
When the vehicle is stopped
Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (vehicles with an automatic trans-
mission only) or N the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly,
and may cause an accident.
Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
IS250/220d/200d_EE
CAUTION
Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure
to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional. Failure to
do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in death or a
serious health hazard.
When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
When braking the vehicle
When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. Braking distance
increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of the vehicle
to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may not
securely hold the vehicle.
If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance becomes
longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
IS250/220d/200d_EE
Adjusting the set speed
To change the set speed, operate the lever until the desired set
speed is obtained.
Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Fine adjustment: Momentar-
ily move the lever in the
desired direction.
Large adjustment: Hold the
lever in the desired direction.
The set speed will be increased or decreased as follows:
Fine adjustment: By approximately 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time the
lever is operated.
Large adjustment: The set speed can be increased or decreased con-
tinually until the lever is released.
Canceling and resuming the constant speed control
Pulling the lever toward
you cancels the constant
speed control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied or the clutch pedal
(manual transmission only) is
depressed.
Pushing the lever up
resumes the constant speed
control.
Resuming is available when
the vehicle speed is more
than approximately 40 km/h
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2-4. Using other driving systems
IS250/220d/200d_EE
Canceling and resuming the speed control
Pulling the lever toward
you cancels the cruise con-
trol.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Pushing the lever up
resumes the cruise control
and returns vehicle speed
to the set speed.
Resuming is available when
the vehicle speed is more
than approximately 40 km/h
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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
IS250/220d/200d_EE
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehi-
cles up to approximately 120 m (400 ft.) ahead, determines the cur-
rent vehicle-to-vehicle following distance, and operates to
maintain a suitable following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on
long downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-
to-vehicle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control.
Example of deceleration cruising
When the vehicle ahead is driving slower than the set speed
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automat-
ically 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 in on the vehicle ahead.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
IS250/220d/200d_EEExample of follow-up cruising
When following a vehicle driving slower than the set speed
The system continues follow-up cruising while adjusting for changes
in the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-
vehicle distance set by the driver.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any vehicles ahead driving slower than
the set speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then
returns to constant speed cruising.
Approach warning
When your vehicle is too close to a vehicle ahead, and sufficient
automatic deceleration via the cruise control is not possible, the
display will flash and the buzzer will sound to alert the driver. An
example of this would be if another driver cuts in front of you
while you are following a vehicle. Apply the brakes to ensure an
appropriate vehicle-to-vehicle distance.
Warnings may not occur when
In the following instances, there is a possibility that the warn-
ings will not occur:
When the speed of the vehicle ahead matches or exceeds your
vehicle speed
When the vehicle ahead is traveling at an extremely slow
speed
Immediately after the cruise control speed was set
At the instant the accelerator is applied