2015 Lexus ES350 sensor

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
2474-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Raindrop sensor (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●If the wiper switch is turned to AUTO position while the “START STOP ENGINE”
<“POWER”> switch is in IGNITION ON mode, the wipers will operate once
to show that AUTO mode is activated.
●When the sensor sensitivity ring is turned toward high while in AUTO mode, the
wipers will operate once to indicate that the sensor sensitivity is enhanced.
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 185°F (85°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 mode.
■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.
●The raindrop sensor judges the amount of
raindrops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are
present on the windshield.
CAUTION
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in AUTO mode (vehicles with
rain-sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpect edly 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 ca ught in the windshield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fluid until the windshield becomes warm.
The fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause low visibility. This may lead to an
accident, resulting in death or serious injury.

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
2634-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
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 opera tes to maintain a suitable following
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-vehicle
distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
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 decel-
erates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, 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.
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
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ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Dynamic radar cruise control can be set when
●The shift lever is in D or range 4 or higher of S has been selected.
●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 following
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 wipers are in AUTO
mode or the high speed wiper operation).
If vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driv ing is automatically canceled for any other
reason, there may be a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
2674-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■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.
■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 ob structions, such as snow, ice and plastic
objects, cannot be detected by the obstruction sensor.)
Dynamic radar cruise control is cance led if an obstruction is detected.
■Warning messages and buzzers for dynamic radar cruise control
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or to
inform the driver of the need for caution while driving. ( P. 6 3 8 )
Grille cover
Radar sensor
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2

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ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
CAUTION
■To avoid inadvertent cruise control activation
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON/OFF” button when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate sp eed control and could cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●Except highway or expressway
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up and
down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●At entrances to expressways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors
from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
●When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
●During emergency towing

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
2714-5. 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. 264) 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
●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.)
■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 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

272
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
CAUTION
■Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the cruise control 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 malfunction. If the
sensor or surrounding 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.

273
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
LDA (Lane Departure Alert)
While driving on a road that has lane markers, this system recognizes the
lane markers using a camer a as a sensor to alert the driver when the vehi-
cle deviates from its lane.
If the system judges that the vehicle ma y deviate from its lane, it alerts the
driver using beeping and indications on the multi-information display.
Camera sensor

: If equipped
Summary of function