2014 Lexus ES300h brakes

ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
2634-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
CAUTION
■Before using dynamic radar cruise control
Do not overly rely on vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Be aware of the set speed. If automatic deceleration/acceleration is not appropri-
ate, adjust the vehicle speed, as well as the distance between your vehicle and vehi-
cles ahead by applying the brakes etc.
■Cautions regarding the driving assist systems
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Assisting the driver to measure following distance
The dynamic radar cruise control is only intended to help the driver in determin-
ing the following distance between the driver’s own vehicle and a designated
vehicle traveling ahead. It is not a mechanism that allows careless or inattentive
driving, and it is not a system that can assi st the driver in low-visibility conditions. It
is still necessary for driver to pay close attention to the vehicle’s surroundings.
●Assisting the driver to judge proper following distance
The dynamic radar cruise control determines whether the following distance
between the driver’s own vehicle and a designated vehicle traveling ahead is
appropriate or not. It is not capable of making any other type of judgement.
Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for the driver to remain vigilant and to deter-
mine whether or not there is a possibility of danger in any given situation.
●Assisting the driver to operate the vehicle
The dynamic radar cruise control has no capability to prevent or avoid a collision
with a vehicle traveling ahead. Therefore, if there is ever any danger, the driver
must take immediate and direct control of the vehicle and act appropriately in
order to ensure the safety of all involved.

ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
2654-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
CAUTION
■When the 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 correc tly detect these types of vehicles, the
approach warning ( P. 258) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious 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-veh icle 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 a fatal or serious 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

ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
2854-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
■Intuitive parking assist display
When an obstacle is detected while the rear view monitor system is in use, the warn-
ing indicator will appear in the top right of the screen even if the display setting has
been set to off.
■Sensor detection information
●The sensor’s detection areas are limited to the areas around the vehicle’s front cor-
ners and rear bumper.
●Certain vehicle conditions and the surrou nding 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. (Wiping the sensors will resolve this problem.)
• The sensor 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 obstacle s may not be detected.
• 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.
• The area directly under th e bumpers is not detected.
• If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
• A non-genuine Lexus suspension (low ered suspension etc.) is installed.
• People may not be detected if they are wearing certain types of clothing.
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of their
shape, signs and other objects may be judged by the se nsor to be closer than they
are.

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ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving assist systems
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while dri ving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of br aking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces
◆Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road
surfaces by controllin g steering performance.
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control (hybrid vehicles)
P. 308
To help enhance driving safety an d performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be
aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and should not
be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.

308
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Hill-start assist control (hybrid vehicles)
To engage hill-start assist control,
further depress the brake pedal
when the vehicle is stopped com-
pletely.
A buzzer will sound once to indicate
the system is activated. The slip indica-
tor will also start flashing.
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
●The system operates in the following situations:
• The shift lever is in a position other than P.
• The parking brake is not applied.
• The accelerator peda l is not depressed.
●Hill-start assist control cannot be operated while the slip indicator light is illumi-
nated.
■Hill-start assist control
●While hill-start assist control is operating, the brakes remain automatically applied
after the driver releases the brake pedal. The stop lights and the high mounted
stoplight turn on.
●Hill-start assist control operates for about 2 seconds after the brake pedal is
released.
●If the slip indicator does not flash and the buzzer does not sound when the brake
pedal is further depressed, slightly reduce the pressure on the brake pedal (do not
allow the vehicle to roll backward) and then firmly depress it again. If the system still
does not operate, check that the operating conditions explained above have been
met.
Assists with starting off and temporarily maintains braking power even
if the foot is removed from the brake pedal when starting off on an
incline or a slippery slope.

310
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
◆Pre-collision seat belts (front seats only)
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 dr iver makes an emergency braking or
loses control of the vehicle. ( P. 3 4 )
However, when the VSC system is disa bled, the system will not operate
in the event of skidding.
◆Pre-collision brake assist
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system applies
greater braking force in relation to how strongly the brake pedal is
depressed.
◆Pre-collision braking
When there is a high poss ibility of a frontal collision, the system warns
the driver using a warning light, war ning display and buzzer. If the sys-
tem determines that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes are automati-
cally applied to reduce the collision speed.

: If equipped
When the radar sensor detects possibility of a frontal collision, the pre-
collision system such as the brakes and seat belts are automatically
engaged to lessen impact as well as vehicle damage.
The pre-collision system ca n be turned on and off as necessary by oper-
ating the switch. ( P. 311)

ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
3134-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no possibility of a 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 a grade separation/interchange, sign , billboard, or other structure appears
to be directly in the vehicle’s line of travel
●When the steep angle of the road causes a metal object located beneath the road
surface to be seen ahead of the vehicle
●When an extreme change in vehicle height occurs
●When the axis of the radar is out of adjustment
●When passing through certain toll gates
●When passing through an overpass
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 it.
■Obstacles not detected
The sensor cannot detect plastic obstacles such as traffic cones. There may also be
occasions when the sensor cannot detect pedestrians, animals, bicycles, motorcy-
cles, trees, or snowdrifts.
■Situations in which the pre-collision system does not function properly
The system may not function effectively in situations such as the following:
●On roads with sharp bends or uneven surfaces
●If a vehicle suddenly moves in front of your vehicle, such as at an intersection
●If a vehicle suddenly cuts in front of your vehicle, such as when overtaking
●In inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or sand storms
●When your vehicle is skidding such as the VSC system off
●When your vehicle is steeply inclined
●When the axis of the radar is out of adjustment

ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
3154-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
CAUTION
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
Do not overly rely on the pre-collision system. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings and checking for any obstacles or other road hazards.
Failure to do so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■When the sensor may not be corr ectly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary in any of the following situations.
●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.)
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
■Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the pre-collision system can function effectively.
Otherwise, the system may not function co rrectly and could result in an accident.
●Keep the sensor and grille cover clean at all times.
Clean the sensor and grille cover with a soft cloth so you do not mark or damage
them.
●Do not subject the sensor or surr ounding area to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may become inaccurate
or malfunction. If the sensor or surround ing area is subject to a strong impact,
always have the area inspected and adjusted by your Lexus dealer.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille cover or surrounding
area.
●Do not modify or paint th e sensor and grille cover.
●Do not replace them with non-genuine parts.