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4-5. Using the driving support systems
CAUTION
Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range is designed to detect motor vehi-
cles intended for use on public highways, with the exception of motorcycles. It will not
detect: stationary objects, pedestrians, motorcycles, bicycles, animals, and similarly
sized, or smaller, moving objects. The driver must always be aware of surroundings
and in control of the vehicle.
■Before using dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
Do not overly rely on vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Be aware of the set vehicle speed. If automatic deceleration/acceleration is not
appropriate, adjust the vehicle speed, as well as the distance between your vehicle
and vehicles 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.
The system, even in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, only assists the
driver:
●To measure following distance
The dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range is only intended to help
the driver in determining the following distance between the driver’s own vehicle
and a designated vehicle traveling ahead. It is not a mechanism that allows care-
less or inattentive driving, and it is not a system that can assist the driver in low-vis-
ibility conditions. It is still necessary for driver to pay close attention to the
vehicle’s surroundings.
●To judge proper following distance
The dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range 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 determine whether or not there is a possibility of danger in any given situa-
tion.
●To operate the vehicle
The dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range has no capability to pre-
vent 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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4-5. Using the driving support systems
CAUTION
■When the radar 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. 261) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious accident
may result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Details about other people/objects the system will not detect:
→ P. 2 6 6
■Conditions under which the vehicle-to-vehicle 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 splashed by the surrounding vehicles hinders the function-
ing of the radar sensor
●When your vehicle is tilted upwards (due to 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 decelerates suddenly as the system is not able to
respond to sudden braking.
Details about limitations:
→P. 2 6 6
Details about unsuitable conditions:
→ P. 2 6 7
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4
Driving
Driving assist systems
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when th e brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking 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) (if equipped)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road
surfaces by controlling 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
◆VGRS (Variable Gear Rati o Steering) (if equipped)
Adjusts the front wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle
speed and steering wheel movement
To help enhance driving safety and 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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4-5. Using the driving support systems
◆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)
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
When SPORT S+ mode is selected by the driving mode select switch,
the damping force is suitable for sporty driving ( →P. 2 8 0 )
◆LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handling 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 accordance with the steering wheel opera-
tion and vehicle speed
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC and
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, hybrid system output, steering assist,
and steering ratio
◆PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
→ P. 2 9 0
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
PCS (Pre-Collision System)∗
◆Pre-collision seat belts (front seat only)
If the pre-collision sensor detects that a collision is unavoidable, the
pre-collision system will retract the seat belt before the collision occurs.
The same will happen if the driver makes an emergency braking or
loses control of the vehicle. (→P. 3 4 )
◆Pre-collision 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.
◆Pre-collision 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 sys-
tem determines that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes are automati-
cally applied to reduce the collision speed.
∗
: If equipped
When the radar sensor detects the possibility of a frontal collision, the
pre-collision system such as the brakes and seat belts are automatically
engaged to lessen impact as well as vehicle damage.
The pre-collision system can be turned on and off as necessary by oper-
ating the switch. ( →P. 2 9 2 )
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2954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no danger of a collision
●When there is an object by the roadside at the entrance to a curve
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a curve
●When driving over a narrow iron bridge
●When there is a metal object on the road surface
●When driving on an uneven road surface
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a left-turn
●When your vehicle rapidly closes on the vehicle in front
●When a grade separation/interchange, sign, billboard, or other structure appears
to be directly in the vehicle’s line of travel
●When climbing a steep hill causes an overhead billboard or other metallic structure
to appear directly in the vehicle’s line of travel
When the system is activated in the situations described above, there is also a possi-
bility that the seat belts will retract quickly and the brakes will be applied with a force
greater than normal. When the seat belt is locked in the retracted position, stop the
vehicle in a safe place, release the seat belt and refasten it.
■Obstacles not detected
The sensor cannot detect plastic obstacles such as traffic cones. There may also be
occasions when the sensor cannot detect pedestrians, animals, bicycles, motorcy-
cles, trees, or snowdrifts.
■Situations in which the pre-collision system does not function properly
The system may not function effectively in situations such as the following:
●On roads with sharp bends or uneven surfaces
●If a vehicle suddenly moves in front of your vehicle, such as at an intersection
●If a vehicle suddenly cuts in front of your vehicle, such as when overtaking
●In inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or sand storms
●When your vehicle is skidding
●When your vehicle is steeply inclined
●When the radar sensor moves off position due to its surrounding area being sub-
jected to a strong impact
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4-6. Driving tips
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the acceler-
ator pedal depression amount can be generated more smoothly than it
is in normal conditions. In addition, the operation of the air conditioning
system (heating/cooling) will be minimized, improving the fuel econ-
omy. (→P. 2 8 0 )
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the indicate of Hybrid
System Indicator within Eco area. ( →P. 9 4 )
◆When braking the vehicle
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and in good time. A greater
amount of electrical energy can be retained when slowing down.
◆Delays
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at traffic
lights, will lead to bad fuel consumption. Check traffic reports before
leaving and avoid delays as much as possible. When encountering a
delay, gently release the brake pedal to allow the vehicle to move for-
ward slightly while avoiding overuse of the accelerator pedal. Doing so
can help control excessive gasoline consumption.
◆Highway driving
Control your speed and keep at a constant speed. Also, before stop-
ping at a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to release the acceler-
ator and gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of electrical energy
can be retained when slowing down.
For economical and ecological drivin g, pay attention to the following
points:
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3194-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away the
water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan, remove
any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front of the wind-
shield.
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accumu-
lated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the tires or on
the brakes.
●Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before getting
in the vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and the
vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road conditions.
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the parking
brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being
released. If necessary, block the wheels to prevent inadvertent sliding or
creeping.
Before driving the vehicle
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
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