
1974-1. Before driving
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53C61E)
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly
and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing
the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indicator on, and apply the parking
brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust
system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehicle
when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic mate-
rial of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the
vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical components.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a place such as
the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when luggage is loaded or the
seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
●Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place containers
such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard. Adhesive discs or con-
tainers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a metallized
film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause the glass to act as a
lens, causing a fire.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the hybrid system and
lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the hybrid system is operating.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the hybrid system is operating or immediately
after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
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2274-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53C61E)
This system allows the headlights and front position lights to be turned on for 30
seconds when the power switch is off.
Pull the lever toward you and release it
with the light switch is in or
after turning the power switch off.
Pull the lever toward you and release it
again to turn off the lights.
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the front position lights turn on auto-
matically (at an increased intensity) whenever the hybrid system is started and the park-
ing brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
●When the light switch is in or : The headlights and front fog lights turn off auto-
matically if the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
●When the light switch is in : The headlights and all lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light switch off
once and then back to or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is left open, the lights automatically turn off after 20 min-
utes.
Follow me home system
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything that
blocks the sensor is affixed to the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction.
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2604-5. Using the driving support systems
IS300h_EE(OM53C61E)
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 correctly detect these types of vehicles, the approach
warning (→P. 254) 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-vehicle distance control may not function cor-
rectly
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 a the surrounding vehicles hinders the functioning
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.
Otherwise, the system may not function correctly 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 surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may malfunction. If the sen-
sor or surrounding area is subject to a strong impact, always have the area inspected
and adjusted by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille cover or surrounding area.
●Do not modify or paint the sensor and grille cover.
●Do not replace them with non-genuine parts.
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2724-5. Using the driving support systems
IS300h_EE(OM53C61E)
■Sensor detection information
●The sensor’s detection areas are limited to the areas around the vehicle’s front corner
and rear bumpers.
●Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding 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 prob-
lem.)
• 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 abnormal
display, or obstacles 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 the bumpers is not detected.
• If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
• A non-genuine Lexus suspension (lowered 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 sensor to be closer than they are.
●The shape of the obstacle may prevent the sensor from detecting it. Pay particular
attention to the following obstacles:
• Wires, fences, ropes, etc.
• Cotton, snow and other materials that absorb sound waves
• Sharply-angled objects
• Low obstacles
• Tall obstacles with upper sections projecting outwards in the direction of your vehi-
cle
●The following situations may occur during use.
• Depending on the shape of the obstacle and other factors, the detection distance
may shorten, or detection may be impossible.
• Obstacles may not be detected if they are too close to the sensor.
• There will be a short delay between obstacle detection and display. Even at slow
speeds, there is a possibility that the obstacle will come within the sensor’s detection
areas before the display is shown and the warning beep sounds.
• Thin posts or objects lower than the sensor may not be detected when approached,
even if they have been detected once.
• It might be difficult to hear beeps due to the volume of the audio system or air flow
noise of the air conditioning system.
■If a message is displayed on the multi-information display
→P. 511, 512
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2874-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53C61E)
◆Adaptive Variable Suspension System (if equipped)
By independently controlling the damping force of the shock absorbers for
each of the 4 wheels according to the road and driving conditions, this system
helps riding comfort with superior steering stability, and helps good vehicle
posture (→P. 2 8 4 )
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRC, VSC, hill-start
assist control, and EPS systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes and hybrid system output
◆PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system) (if equipped)
→P. 2 9 2
◆Emergency brake signal
When the brakes are applied suddenly, the stop lights automatically flash to
alert the vehicle behind
◆BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) (if equipped)
→P. 2 9 9
The slip indicator light will flash while
the TRC/VSC/ABS systems are oper-
ating.
When the TRC/VSC/ABS systems are operating
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2884-5. Using the driving support systems
IS300h_EE(OM53C61E)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, the TRC and VSC systems may
reduce power from the hybrid system to the wheels. 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 TRC system only
To turn the TRC system off, quickly
press and release the switch.
The “TRC OFF” will be shown on the
multi-information display. Press the
switch again to turn the system back
on.
■Turning off both TRC and VSC systems
To turn the TRC 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 “TRC OFF” will be
shown on the multi-information dis-
play.
*
Press the switch again to turn the sys-
tems back on.
*: On vehicles with pre-crash safety system, pre-crash brake assist and pre-crash
braking will also be disabled. The pre-crash safety system warning light will come
on and the message will be shown on the multi-information display. (→P. 2 9 2 )
Disabling the TRC/VSC systems
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2914-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53C61E)
CAUTION
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as excessively
worn tires on a snow covered road).
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the following situations:
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■TRC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■Hill- start assist control does not operate effectively when
●Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may not operate
effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
●Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the vehicle
stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use hill-start assist con-
trol to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may lead to an accident.
■When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause an
accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■When the TRC/VSC systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As these
are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn the TRC/
VSC systems off unless necessary.
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire infla-
tion pressure level.
The ABS, TRC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are installed
on the vehicle.
Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect the driving
assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.
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2924-5. Using the driving support systems
IS300h_EE(OM53C61E)
◆Pre-crash warning
When a high possibility of a frontal
collision is detected, the pre-crash
safety system warning light flashes, a
buzzer sounds and a message is
shown on the multi-information dis-
play to urge the driver to take eva-
sive action.
◆Pre-crash 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.
The system may not warn the driver using a warning light, warning display and
buzzer when the system detects and judges braking operations.
◆Pre-crash braking
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system warns the
driver using a warning light, warning display and buzzer. If the system deter-
mines that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes are automatically applied to
reduce the collision speed.
◆Suspension control (vehicles with Adaptive Variable Suspension System)
When the system determines that there is a high possibility of a frontal colli-
sion, the operation of Adaptive Variable Suspension System (→P. 2 8 7 ) o p t i -
mally controls the damping force of the shock absorber.
PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system)∗
∗
: If equipped
When the radar sensor detects the possibility of a frontal collision, brakes are
automatically engaged to lessen impact as well as vehicle damage.
The pre-crash safety system can be turned on and off as necessary by operat-
ing the switch. (→P. 2 9 3 )
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