2015 Lexus IS300h Suspension system

481-1. For safe use
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS airbag compo-
nents.
Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.
●Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS airbags have
deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
●If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbags have deployed, open a door or
window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Wash off any resi-
due as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
●If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel pad and
front and rear pillar garnishes are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional.
■Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications without
consulting any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional. The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy (inflate) acciden-
tally, causing death or serious injury.
●Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags
●Repairs, modifications, removal or replace ment of the steering wheel, instrument
panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, fr ont, side and rear pillars or roof side rails
●Repairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the occupant
compartment
●Installation of a grille guard (bull bars, kangaroo bar, etc.), snow plows, winches
●Modifications to the vehicle’s suspension system
●Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios (RF-transmitter) and
CD players
●Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability

581-1. For safe use
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
■Po p U p H o o d p re c a u t i o n s
●Before scrapping your vehicle, make sure to contact any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
●The Pop Up Hood system cannot be reused once it has operated. Have it replaced by
any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional.
■Conditions under whic h the Pop Up Hood may not operate properly
The Pop Up Hood may not operate properly under the following conditions:
●If a pedestrian collides with the right or left corner of the front bumper or the side of the
vehicle. As such impacts may be difficult to detect, the system may not operate.
●If the vehicle speed is not detected correctly, such as if the vehicle is sliding sideways,
the system may not operate properly.
■Conditions under wh ich the Pop Up Hood may not operate
The Pop Up Hood may not operate in the following situations:
●Colliding with a lying pedestrian
●A frontal impact applied to the front bump er while driving at speeds outside of the
operational speed range
●A side impact or rear impact
●A vehicle rollover (In some accident situations, the Pop Up Hood may operate.)
NOTICE
■Pop Up Hood precautions
●Make sure to close the hood before driving, as the system may not operate properly if
the hood is not fully closed.
●Make sure that all 4 tires are of the specif ied size and inflated to the specified tire
pressure ( →P. 586). If tires of a different size are used, the system may not operate
properly.
●If something has hit the area around the front bumper, the sensors may be damaged
even if the Pop Up Hood has not operated. Have the vehicle inspected by any autho-
rized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
●Do not remove or repair the parts or wiring of the Pop Up Hood, as doing so may
cause accidental operation or prevent the system from operating properly. If repair or
replacement is necessary, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
●Do not remove such components as th e front bumper, hood or suspension, or
replace them with non-genuine parts, as doing so may prevent the system from oper-
ating properly.
●Do not install anything to the front bumper or hood, as doing so may prevent the sen-
sors from detecting an impact correctly and prevent the system from operating prop-
erly.
●Do not close the hood with force or apply load to the lifters, as doing so may damage
the lifters and prevent the system from operating properly.
●Do not modify the suspension, as changes made to the vehicle height may prevent
the system from operating properly.

2754-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to or incorrect operation of the LDA system
●Do not modify the headlights or attach stickers to the surface of the lights.
●Do not modify the suspension.
If any suspension parts need to be replaced, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
●Do not install or place anything on the hood or the grille. Also, do not install a grille
guard (bull bars, kangaroo bar etc.).
●If your windshield needs repairs, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Camera sensor
Observe the following to ensure that the LDA system functions correctly.
●Keep the windshield clean at all times.
Performance could be affected if the windshie ld is dirty, or if raindrops, condensation
or ice are adhering to the windshield.
●Do not spill liquid onto the camera sensor
●Do not attach window tinting to the windshield.
●Do not install an antenna in front of the camera lens.
●If area of the windshield in front of the camera sensor is fogged up, use the windshield
defogger to remove the fog.
When it is cold, using the heater with air blowing to the feet may allow the upper part
of the windshield to fog up. This will have a negative effect on the images.
●Do not scratch the camera lens, or let it get dirty.
When cleaning the inside of the windshield , be careful not to get any glass cleaner
etc. on the lens. Also, do not touch the lens.
For lens repair, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qual-
ified and equipped professional.
●Do not change the installation position or direction of the camera sensor or remove it.
The direction of the camera sensor is precisely adjusted.
●Do not subject the camera sensor to strong impact or force, and do not disassemble
the camera sensor.
●If the windshield needs to be replaced, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
●Do not attach a sticker or other items to the
windshield near the camera sensor.

2814-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
■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 (low ered 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 distancemay 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 obst acle detection and display. Even at slow
speeds, there is a possibility that the obstacl e 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. 530, 530

2934-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
XVehicles without Adaptive Variable Suspension System
Normal mode
For normal driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode to normal mode when selected to Eco
drive mode or sport mode.
Eco drive mode
Use Eco drive mode to help achieve low fuel consumption during trips that
involve frequent accelerating.
When not in Eco drive mode and the driving mode select switch is turned to the left,
the Eco drive mode indicator comes on.
Sport mode
Assists acceleration response by controlling the hybrid system and steering.
Suitable for when precise handling is desirable, for example when driving on
mountain roads.
When not in sport mode and the driving mode select switch is turned to the right, the
“SPORT” indicator comes on, and the hybrid system indicator changes to the
tachometer. ( →P. 1 0 9 )
Driving mode select switch
The driving modes can be select ed to suit driving condition.
Except
F SPORT modelsF SPORT
models
1
2
3

2944-5. Using the driving support systems
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
XVehicles with Adaptive Variable Suspension System
Normal mode
For normal driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode to normal mode when selected to Eco
drive mode or sport mode.
Eco drive mode
Use Eco drive mode to help achieve low fuel consumption during trips that
involve frequent accelerating.
When not in Eco drive mode and the driving mode select switch is turned to the left,
the Eco drive mode indicator comes on.
Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Assists acceleration response by controlling the hybrid system. Suitable for
when powerful acceleration is desirable.
When not in SPORT S mode an d the driving mode select switch is turned to the
right, the “SPORT S” indicator comes on, and the hybrid system indicator changes
to the tachometer. ( →P. 1 0 9 )
•SPORT S+ mode
Helps to ensure steering performance and driving stability by simulta-
neously controlling the steering and suspension in addition to the hybrid
system. Suitable for sporty driving.
When in SPORT S mode and the driving mode select switch is turned to the right,
the “SPORT S+” indicator comes on.
1
2
3

2974-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
◆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 9 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. 3 0 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. 3 1 0
The slip indicator light will flash while
the TRC/VSC/ABS systems are oper-
ating.
When the TRC/VSC/ABS systems are operating

3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
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 vehi cle’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 co ntrol 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 dr ive 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 specif ied 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 modi fying the suspension will affect the driving
assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.