2014 Lexus IS250C sensor

178
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
IS250C/350C_U
Turning on the high beam headlightsWith the headlights on, push the
lever forward to turn on the high
beams.
Pull the lever back to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
Pull the lever toward you to turn
on the high beams.
Release to turn them off. You can
flash the high beams with the head-
lights on or off.
■Daytime running light system
●Vehicles with halogen headlights: to make your vehicle more visible to other
drivers, the headlights turn on automatically (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.
Vehicles with discharge headlights: to make your vehicle more visible to other
drivers, the parking lights turn on automatically (at a increased intensity) when-
ever the engine is started and the parking brake is released. Daytime running
lights are not designed for use at night.
●Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system offers
greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve fuel
economy.
■Headlight control sensorThe 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 system to malfunction.

179
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
IS250C/350C_U
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after a door is opened and closed if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch has
been switched to ACCESSORY mode or turned OFF. (The light turns off
immediately if on the key is pressed after both side doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is switched to ACCESSORY mode or turned
OFF and driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the light switch
off once and then back to or
.
■Automatic headlight leveling system (vehicles with discharge headlights)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere with other road users.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 5 8 6 )
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.

184
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
IS250C/350C_U
Washer/wiper dual operation
Wipers operate automatically.
(After operating several times,
the wipers operate one more
time after a short delay to pre-
vent dripping.)
■Rain-sensing windshield wipers (if equipped)
When is selected, the wipers will operate automatically when
the sensor detects falling rain. The system automatically adjusts wiper
timing in according to rain volume and vehicle speed.
When is selected, the sensor sensitivity can be adjusted as fol-
lows by turning the switch ring:
Ty p e A Off
Rain-sensing wind-
shield wiper operation
Low speed windshield
wiper operation
High speed wind-
shield wiper operation
Temporary operation

186
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
IS250C/350C_U
■The windshield wipers and washer can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the following even when the wipers are not in “AUTO” mode.
●Intermittent wiper interval
●Wiper operation when the washer is being used (delay until drip prevention
wiper sweep occurs)
Low speed wiper operation selected, wiper operation will be switched from low
speed to intermittent wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
(However, the mode cannot be switched when the adjustment dial for the intermit-
tent wiper interval is set to the lowest setting.)
Sensor sensitivity (high)
Sensor sensitivity (low)
Washer/wiper dual operation
Wipers operate automatically.
(After operating several times,
the wipers operate one more
time after a short delay to pre-
vent dripping.)

187
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
IS250C/350C_U
■Raindrop sensor (vehicles with the rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●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 the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 194°F (90 °C) or higher, or -22 °F
(-30 °C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate
the wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”.
■Outside rear view mirror defogger activation linked to windshield wiper opera-
tion
The outside rear view mirror defogger automatically turns on when you operate the
windshield wipers.
■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.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. drip prevention function) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 5 8 6 )
CAUTION
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in “AUTO” mode (vehicles with
the rain-sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or the
windshield is subject to vibration in “AUTO” mode. Take care that your fingers or
anything else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
●The sensor judges the amount of raindrops.

199
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
IS250C/350C_U
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up
to approximately 400 ft. (120 m) ahead, determines the current vehicle-
to-vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain a suitable follow-
ing 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-vehi-
cle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol.
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 automatically
decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is nec-
essary, 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.

202
2-4. Using other driving systems
IS250C/350C_U
Adjusting the speed setting:
→P. 1 9 6
Canceling and resuming the speed
setting: →P. 1 9 8
■Dynamic radar cruise control can be set when
●The shift lever is in the D or range 4 or higher of S has been selected.
●Range 4 or higher has been selected by using the paddle shift.
●Vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (50 km/h).
■Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
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.
■Automatic cancelation of vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving is automatically canceled in the follow-
ing situations:
●Actual vehicle speed falls below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
●VSC is activated.
●The sensor cannot operate correctly because it is covered in some way.
●The windshield wipers are operating at high speed (when the wiper switch is set
to the “AUTO” mode or the high speed wiper operation position).
●When snow mode is set.
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.
■Automatic cancelation of constant speed control
The cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in the following situations:
●Actual vehicle speed is more than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) below the
set 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.

203
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
IS250C/350C_U
■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.
■Warning lights, messages and buzzers for dynamic radar cruise control
Warning lights, messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or
to inform the driver of the need for caution while driving. (→P. 500)
Grille cover
Radar sensor