2015 Lexus ES350 Owner's Manual - ES 300h, ES 350

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Driving
CAUTION
■Cautions regarding the assist contents of the system
By means of alarms and brake control, the pre-collision system is intended to assist
the driver in avoiding collisions through the process of LOOK-JUDGE-ACT.
There are limits to the degree of assistance the system can provide, so please keep
in mind the following important points.
●Assisting the driver in watching the road
The pre-collision system is only able to detect obstacles directly in front of the
vehicle, and only within a limited range. It is not a mechanism that allows careless
or inattentive driving, and it is not a system that can assist the driver in low-visibil-
ity conditions. It is still necessary for the driver to pay close attention to the vehi-
cle’s surroundings.
●Assisting the driver in making correct judgment
When attempting to estimate the possibility of a collision, the only data available
to the pre-collision system is that from obstacles it has detected directly in front of
the vehicle. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for the driver to remain vigilant
and to determine whether or not there is a possibility of collision in any given situ-
ation.
●Assisting the driver in taking action
The pre-collision system’s braking assist feature is designed to help reduce the
severity of a collision, and so only acts when the system has judged that a collision
is unavoidable. This system by itself is not capable of automatically avoiding a col-
lision or bringing the vehicle to a stop safely. For this reason, when encountering a
dangerous situation the driver must take direct and immediate action in order to
ensure the safety of all involved.

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BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)∗
The Blind Spot Monitor is a system that has 2 functions;
●The Blind Spot Monitor function
Assists the driver in making the decision when changing lanes
●The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function
Assists the driver when backing up
These functions use same sensors.
∗
: If equipped
Summary of the Blind Spot Monitor
BSM main switch
Pressing the switch turns the system on or off. When the switch is set to on, the
switch’s indicator illuminates. Common switch for Blind Spot Monitor function
and Rear Cross Traffic Alert function.
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Outside rear view mirror indicator
Blind Spot Monitor function:
When a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, the outside rear view mirror indica-
tor comes on while the turn signal lever is not operated and the outside rear view
mirror indicator flashes while the turn signal lever is operated.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert function:
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left rear of the vehicle is detected,
the outside rear view mirror indicators flash.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert buzzer (Rear Cross Traffic Alert function only)
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left rear of the vehicle is detected,
a buzzer sounds from behind the rear seat.
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■The outside rear view mirror indicators visibility
When under strong sunlight, the outside rear view mirror indicator may be difficult to
see.
■Rear Cross Traffic Alert buzzer hearing
Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may be difficult to hear over loud noises such as
high audio volume.
■When there is a malfunction in the Blind Spot Monitor system
If a system malfunction is detected due to any of the following reasons, warning mes-
sages will be displayed: (→P. 640)
●There is a malfunction with the sensors
●The sensors have become dirty
●The outside temperature is extremely high or low
●The sensor voltage has become abnormal
■Certification for the Blind Spot Monitor system
XFor vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
FCC ID: OAYSRR2A
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC WARNING
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for com-
pliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
XFor vehicles sold in Canada
Applicable law: Canada 310
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s). Oper-
ation is subject to the following two condit ions: (1) this device may not cause interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that
may cause undesired operation of the device.
Frequency bands: 24.05-24.25 GHz
Output power: less than 20 milliwatts

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CAUTION
■Handling the radar sensor
One Blind Spot Monitor sensor is installed inside the left and right side of the vehi-
cle rear bumper respectively. Observe the following to ensure the Blind Spot
Monitor system can function correctly.
●Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area on the bumper to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may malfunction and
vehicles that enter the detection area may not be detected. If the sensor or sur-
rounding area is subject to a strong impact, always have the area inspected by
your Lexus dealer.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor or surrounding area on the
bumper.
●Do not modify the sensor or surrounding area on the bumper.
●Do not paint the sensor or surrounding area on the bumper.
●Keep the sensor and its surrounding area
on the bumper clean at all times.

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The Blind Spot Monitor function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles that
are traveling in an adjacent lane in the area that is not reflected in the out-
side rear view mirror (the blind spot), and advises the driver of the vehicles
existence via the outside rear view mirror indicator.
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of the detection area
extends to:Approximately 11.5 ft. (3.5 m)
from the side of the vehicle
The first 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from the side of
the vehicle is not in the detection area
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from
the rear bumper
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) for-
ward of the rear bumper
The Blind Spot Monitor function
The Blind Spot Monitor function detection areas
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■The Blind Spot Monitor function is operational when
●The BSM main switch is set to on
●Vehicle speed is greater than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h).
■The Blind Spot Monitor function will detect a vehicle when
●A vehicle in an adjacent lane overtakes your vehicle.
●Another vehicle enters the detection area when it changes lanes.
■Conditions under which the Blind Spot Monitor function will not detect a vehicle
The Blind Spot Monitor function is not designed to detect the following types of vehi-
cles and/or objects:
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.*
●Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles and similar stationary objects*
●Following vehicles that are in the same lane*
●Vehicles driving 2 lanes across from your vehicle*
*
: Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
CAUTION
■Cautions regarding the use of the system
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
The Blind Spot Monitor function is a supplementary function which alerts the
driver that a vehicle is present in the blind spot. Do not overly rely on the Blind Spot
Monitor function. The function cannot judge if it is safe to change lanes, therefore
over reliance could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
According to conditions, the system may not function correctly. Therefore the
driver’s own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

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■Conditions under which the Blind Spot Monitor function may not function cor-
rectly
●The Blind Spot Monitor 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 driving on a road surface that is wet due to rain, standing water etc.
• When there is a significant difference in speed between your vehicle and thevehicle that enters the detection area
• When a vehicle is in the detection area from a stop and remains in the detection area as your vehicle accelerates
• When driving up or down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, a dip in the road etc.
• When multiple vehicles approach with only a small gap between each vehicle
• When vehicle lanes are wide, and the vehicle in the next lane is too far away from your vehicle
• When the vehicle that enters the detection area is traveling at about the same speed as your vehicle
• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and the vehicle that enters the detection area
• Directly after the BSM main switch is set to on
• When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehicle
●Instances of the Blind Spot Monitor function unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/
or object may increase under the following conditions:
• When there is only a short distance between your vehicle and a guardrail, wall etc.
• When there is only a short distance between your vehicle and a following vehi- cle
• When vehicle lanes are narrow and a vehicle driving 2 lanes across from your vehicle enters the detection area
• When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehicle