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2254-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Example of follow-up cruising
When following a vehicle driving slower than the set speed
The system continues follow-up cruising while adjusting for changes in the speed
of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the
driver.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any vehi cles ahead driving slower than the
set speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then returns to
constant speed cruising.
When your vehicle is too close to a vehicle ahead, and sufficient auto-
matic deceleration via the cruise co ntrol is not possible, the display will
flash and the buzzer will sound to alert the driver. An example of this
would be if another driver cuts in front of you while you are following a
vehicle. Apply the brakes to ensure an appropriate vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance.
■Warnings may not occur when
In the following instance s, there is a possibility that the warnings will not
occur:
●When the speed of the vehicle ahea d matches or exceeds your vehi-
cle speed
●When the vehicle ahead is traveling at an extremely slow speed
●Immediately after the cruise control speed was set
●At the instant the accelerator is applied
Approach warning
3
4
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
CAUTION
■Before using dynamic radar cruise control
Do not overly rely on vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Be aware of the set speed. If automatic deceleration/acceleration is not appropri-
ate, adjust the vehicle speed, as well as the distance between your vehicle and vehi-
cles ahead by applying the brakes etc.
■Cautions regarding the driving assist systems
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Assisting the driver to measure following distance
The dynamic radar cruise control is only intended to help the driver in determin-
ing the following distance between the driver’s own vehicle and a designated
vehicle traveling ahead. It is not a mechanism that allows careless or inattentive
driving, and it is not a system that can assi st the driver in low-visibility conditions. It
is still necessary for driver to pay close attention to the vehicle’s surroundings.
●Assisting the driver to judge proper following distance
The dynamic radar cruise control determines whether the following distance
between the driver’s own vehicle and a designated vehicle traveling ahead is
appropriate or not. It is not capable of making any other type of judgement.
Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for the driver to remain vigilant and to deter-
mine whether or not there is a possibility of danger in any given situation.
●Assisting the driver to operate the vehicle
The dynamic radar cruise control has no capability to prevent or avoid a collision
with a vehicle traveling ahead. Therefore, if there is ever any danger, the driver
must take immediate and direct control of the vehicle and act appropriately in
order to ensure the safety of all involved.
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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. 225) 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-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 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.)
●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
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GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
Driving assist systems
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lo ck when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while dri ving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of br aking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces
◆Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road
surfaces by controllin g steering performance.
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control
P. 2 5 7
◆VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering) (if equipped)
Adjusts the front wheel turning angl e in accordance with the vehicle
speed and steering wheel movement
To help enhance driving safety an d performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be
aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and should not
be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
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◆DRS (Dynamic Rear Steering) (if equipped)
Contributes to the turning characteristics and responsiveness of the
vehicle by slightly adjusting the rear wheel angle of the vehicle in accor-
dance with steering wheel movement
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
◆AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension system) (if equipped)
By independently controlling the damping force of the shock absorbers
for each of the 4 wheel s according to the road and driving conditions,
this system helps riding comfort with superior steering stability, and
helps good vehicle posture
When SPORT S+ mode is selected by the driving mode select switch,
the damping force is suitable for sporty driving ( P. 246)
◆LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handlin g system) (if equipped)
Provides independent control of the VGRS, DRS and EPS. Contributes
to turning characteristics at low speeds, responsiveness at medium
speeds and safety at high speeds by controlling the steering angle of
the front and rear wheels in accorda nce with the steering wheel opera-
tion and vehicle speed
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the AB S, brake assist, TRAC, VSC, hill-
start assist control, EPS, VGRS (if equipped) and DRS (if equipped)
systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling the brakes, engine output, steering assist, and
steering ratio and rear wheel angle
◆PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
P. 2 5 9
GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)
2534-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■When the message is displayed on the multi-information display showing that
TRAC has been disabled even if the VSC OFF switch has not been pressed
TRAC cannot be operated. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■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.
●The steering wheel is operated for an extended period of time while the vehicle is
stopped or is moving very slowly.
●When force is continuously applied for a long time with the steering wheel turned
as far as it will go.
The center position of the steering wheel may change when VGRS is disabled. How-
ever, the position will return to normal after VGRS is reactivated.
■When the battery is disconnected
The steering wheel may move from its straight forward position, but this will be cor-
rected automatically when driving.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and VGRS sys-
tems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is started or
just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunc-
tion has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions 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 slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■EPS, VGRS and DRS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate 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.
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GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
Hill-start assist control
To engage hill-start assist control,
further depress the brake pedal
when the vehicle is stopped com-
pletely.
A buzzer will sound once to indicate
the system is activated. The slip indica-
tor will also start flashing.
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
●The system operates in the following situations:
• The shift lever is in a position other than P.
• The parking brake is not applied.
• The accelerator peda l is not depressed.
●Hill-start assist control cannot be operated while the slip indicator light is illumi-
nated.
■Hill-start assist control
●While hill-start assist control is operating, the brakes remain automatically applied
after the driver releases the brake pedal. The stop lights and the high mounted
stoplight turn on.
●Hill-start assist control operates for about 2 seconds after the brake pedal is
released.
●If the slip indicator does not flash and the buzzer does not sound when the brake
pedal is further depressed, slightly reduce the pressure on the brake pedal (do not
allow the vehicle to roll backward) and then firmly depress it again. If the system still
does not operate, check that the operating conditions explained above have been
met.
Assists with starting off and temporarily maintains braking power even
if the foot is removed from the brake pedal when starting off on an
incline or a slippery slope.
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■Hill-start assist control buzzer
●When hill-start assist control is activated, the buzzer will sound once.
●In the following situations, hill-start assist control will be canceled and the buzzer
will sound twice.
• No attempt is made to drive the vehicle within approximately 2 seconds ofreleasing the brake pedal.
• The shift lever is moved to P.
• The parking brake is applied.
• The brake pedal is depressed again.
• The brake pedal has been depressed fo r more than approximately 3 minutes.
■If the slip indicator comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■Hill-start assist control
●Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may not oper-
ate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
●Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the vehi-
cle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use hill-start
assist control to hold the vehicle on an in cline, as doing so may lead to an acci-
dent.