2014 Lexus IS250 engine

2354-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn the
steering wheel
◆Adaptive Variable Suspension system (if equipped)
By independently controlling the dampin g force of the shock absorbers for
each of the 4 wheels according to the road and driving conditions, this system
combines riding comfort with superior steering stability, and helps good vehi-
cle posture. ( P. 232)
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC, hill-start
assist control, EPS and VGRS (if equipped) systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, engine output, steering assist, and if equipped with
VGRS, steering ratio
◆PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
 P. 2 4 0
◆BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) (if equipped)
P. 2 4 6
The slip indicator light will flash while
the TRAC/VSC systems are operating.
When the TRAC/VSC systems are operating

2364-5. Using the driving support systems
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, the TRAC and VSC systems may
reduce power from the engine to the wh eels. Pressing VSC OFF switch to turn
the system off may make it easier for you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
■Turning off the TRAC system only
To turn the TRAC system off, quickly
press and release the switch.
The “TRAC OFF” will be shown on
the multi-information display. Press
the switch again to turn the system
back on.
■Turning off both TRAC/VSC systems
To turn the TRAC and VSC systems
off, press and hold the switch for
more than 3 seconds while the vehi-
cle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will
come on and the “TRAC OFF” will
be shown on the multi-information
display.
*
Press the switch again to turn the sys-
tems back on.
*: On vehicles with pre-collis ion system, pre-collision brak e assist and pre-collision
braking will also be disabled. The pre-co llision system warning light will come on
and the message will be shown on the multi-information display. (P. 2 4 0 )
Disabling the TRAC/VSC systems

2374-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
■VGRS is disabled when
VGRS may stop operating in the following situations.
In this event, the steering wheel may move from its straight forward position, but it will
return when the system restarts.
●When the steering wheel is operated for an extended period of time while the vehicle is
stopped or is moving very slowly
●When the steering wheel has been held fully to the left or right
The center position of the steering wheel may change when VGRS is disabled. However,
the position will return to normal after VGRS is reactivated.
■When the battery is disconnected
The steering wheel may move fr om its straight forward position, but this will be corrected
automatically when driving.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC, hill-start assist
control and VGRS systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the vehicle begins to
move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these sys-
tems.
●Any of the following condit ions may occur when the above systems are operating.
None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slig htly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down s lightly after the ABS is activated.
■EPS and VGRS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound may be heard. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
■Reactivation of the TRAC/VSC systems
Even after the TRAC/VSC systems have been turned off, turning the engine off and then
on again will automatically reactivate the TRAC/VSC systems.
■Reactivation of the TRAC system linked to vehicle speed
When only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when vehicle
speed increases. However, when both TRAC /VSC systems are turned off, the systems
will not turn on even when vehicle speed increases.

2384-5. Using the driving support systems
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering
wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input
or stop the vehicle and turn the engine of f. The EPS system should return to normal
within 10 minutes.
■Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will operate:
●The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/backward on
an upward incline).
●The vehicle is stopped.
●The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●The parking brake is not engaged.
■Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
●The shift lever is moved to P or N.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed.
●The parking brake is engaged.
●Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.

2534-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
■Conditions under which the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function will not detect a vehicle
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is no t designed to detect the following types of
vehicles and/or objects.
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.*
●Vehicles approaching from directly behind
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehi cles and similar stationary objects*
●Vehicles moving away from your vehicle
●Vehicles approaching from the parking spaces next to your vehicle*
●Vehicles backing up in the parking space next to your vehicle
*: Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■Conditions under which the Rear Cross Traf fic Alert function may not function cor-
rectly
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may not detect vehicles correctly in the following
conditions:
●During bad weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow etc.
●When ice or mud etc. is attached to the rear bumper
●When multiple vehicles approach continuously
●Shallow angle parking
●When a vehicle is approaching at high speed
●When parking on a steep incline, su ch as hills, a dip in the road etc.
●Directly after the BSM main switch is set to on
●Directly after the engine is started with the BSM main switch on
●Vehicles that the sensors cannot detect
because of obstacles

254
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)4-6. Driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside temperatures.
•Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the battery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire chains for
the rear tires.
*
Ensure that all tires are the specified size and brand, and that chains match the size
of the tires.
*: Tire chains cannot be mounted on the 18-inch tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen. Pour
warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away the water imme-
diately to prevent it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan, remove any
snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front of the windshield.
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accumulated on
the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the tires or on the brakes.
●Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before getting in the
vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle
ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road conditions.
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the vehi-
cle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the prevail-
ing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle
When driving the vehicle

2564-6. Driving tips
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of ve hicle control and cause death or serious injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■Driving with tire chains (except vehicles with 18-inch tires)
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being used, or 30
mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, ab rupt steering, sudden braking and shifting operations
that cause sudden engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a cu rve to ensure that vehicle control is main-
tained.
●Do not use LDA (Lane Departure Alert) system.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the operation of the
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■Fitting tire chains (except vehicles with 18-inch tires)
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly when tire
chains are fitted.

2645-1. Basic Operations
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
■When using the screen
●Under extremely cold conditions, the Lexus Display Audio controller may react slowly.
●If the screen is cold, the display may be dark, or the system may seem to be operating
slightly slower than normal.
●The screen may seem dark and hard to see when viewed through sunglasses. Change
your angle of viewing, adjust the display on the “Display” screen ( P. 2 7 2 ) o r r e m o v e
your sunglasses.
■Using cellular phones
Interference may be heard through the audio system's speakers if a cellular phone is
being used inside or close to the vehi cle while the audio system is operating.
CAUTION
■Using the Lexus Display Audio controller
Be careful when touching the Lexus Display Audio controller in extreme temperatures
as it may become very hot or cold due to the temperature inside the vehicle.
■Laser product
●USE OF CONTROL OR ADJUSTMENT OR PERFORMANCE OF PROCE-
DURES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED HEREIN MAY RESULT IN HAZARD-
OUS RADIATION EXPOSURE.
●THE USE OF OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH THIS PRODUCT WILL
INCREASE EYE HAZARD.
NOTICE
■To prevent Lexus Display Audio controller malfunction
●Do not allow the Lexus Display Audio controller to come into contact with food, liq-
uid, stickers or lit cigarettes as doing so may cause it to change color, emit a strange
odor or stop functioning.
●Do not subject the Lexus Display Audio controller to excessive pressure or strong
impact as the controller may bend or break off.
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the audio system on longer than necessary when the engine is off.
■To avoid damaging the audio system
Take care not to spill drinks or other fluids on the audio system.