200
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
Two types of sensors, located behind the front grille and windshield, detect infor-
mation necessary to operate the drive assist systems.
Sensors
Radar sensor
Camera sensor12
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
2014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WA R N I N G
■To avoid malfunction of the radar sensor
Observe the following precautions.
Otherwise, the radar sensor may not operate properly, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●Keep the radar sensor and front grille emblem clean at all times.
●Do not attach accessories, stickers (including transparent stickers) or other items to
the radar sensor, front grille emblem or surrounding area.
●Do not subject the radar sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the radar sensor, front grille, or front bump er has been subjected to a strong impact,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
●Do not disassemble the radar sensor.
●Do not modify or paint the radar sensor, front grille emblem or surrounding area.
●If the radar sensor, front grille, or front bu mper needs to be removed and installed, or
replaced, contact your Lexus dealer.
■To avoid malfunction of the camera sensor
Observe the following precautions.
Otherwise, the camera sensor may not operate properly, possibly leading to an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury.
●Keep the windshield clean at all times.
• If the windshield is dirty or covered with an oily film, water droplets, snow, etc., clear the windshield.
• If a glass coating agent is applied to the wi ndshield, it will still be necessary to use
the windshield wipers to remove water droplets, etc. from the area of the wind-
shield in front of the camera sensor.
• If the inner side of the windshield where th e camera sensor is installed is dirty, con-
tact your Lexus dealer.
Radar sensor
Front grille emblem
If the front of the radar sensor or the front or
back of the front grille emblem is dirty or
covered with water droplets, snow, etc., clean
it.
Clean the radar sensor and front grille
emblem with a soft cloth so you do not mark
or damage them.1
2
205
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
PCS (Pre-Collision System)∗
◆Pre-collision warning
When the system determines that
the possibility of a frontal collision is
high, a buzzer will sound and a warn-
ing message will be displayed on the
multi-information display to urge the
driver to take evasive action.
◆Pre-collision brake assist
When the system determines that the possi
bility of a frontal collision is high,
the system applies greater braking force in relation to how strongly the brake
pedal is depressed.
∗: If equipped
The pre-collision system uses a radar sensor and camera sensor to detect
vehicles and pedestrians
*1 in front of your vehicle. When the system deter-
mines that the possibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle or pedestrian is
high, a warning operates to urge the driver to take evasive action and the
potential brake pressure is increased to help the driver avoid the collision. If
the system determines that the possibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle or
pedestrian is extremely high, the brakes are automatically applied to help
avoid the collision or help reduce the impact of the collision.
The pre-collision system can be disabled/enabled and the warning timing can
be changed. ( →P. 2 0 8 )
*1: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was sold, the pedestrian detection
function may not be available. See the following table for details.
Countries/areasFunction availabilityRegions
U.S. mainland, Canada, HawaiiThe pedestrian detection function is
availableRegion A
Guam, Saipan, Puerto RicoThe pedestrian detection function is
not availableRegion B
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
2074-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WA R N I N G
■When to disable the pre-collision system
In the following situations, disable the system, as it may not operate properly, possibly
leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
●When the vehicle is being towed
●When your vehicle is towing another vehicle
●When transporting the vehicle via truck, boat, train or similar means of transportation
●When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the hybrid system on and the tires are allowed
to rotate freely
●When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chassis dynamometer or
speedometer tester, or when using an on vehicle wheel balancer
●When a strong impact is applied to the front bumper or front grille, due to an accident
or other reasons
●If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehicle has been
in an accident or is malfunctioning
●When the vehicle is driven in a sporty manner or off-road
●When the tires are not properly inflated
●When the tires are very worn
●When tires of a size other than specified are installed
●When tire chains are installed
●When a compact spare tire is used
●If equipment (snow plow, etc.) that may obstruct the radar sensor or camera sensor is
temporarily installed to the vehicle
214
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Situations in which the system may not operate properly
●In some situations such as the following, a vehicle may not be detected by the radar
sensor and camera sensor, preventing the system from operating properly:
• If an oncoming vehicle is approaching your vehicle
• If a vehicle ahead is a motorcycle or bicycle
• When approaching the side or front of a vehicle
• If a preceding vehicle has a small rear end, such as an unloaded truck
• If a vehicle ahead is carrying a load which protrudes past its rear bumper
• If a vehicle ahead is irregularly shaped, such as a tractor or side car
• If the sun or other light is shining directly on a vehicle ahead
• If a vehicle cuts in front of your vehicle or emerges from beside a vehicle
• If a vehicle ahead makes an abrupt maneuver (such as sudden swerving, accelera-
tion or deceleration)
• When suddenly cutting behind a preceding vehicle
• When driving in inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or a sandstorm
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a vehicle ahead
• When driving through steam or smoke
• When driving in a place where the surrou nding brightness changes suddenly, such
as at the entrance or exit of a tunnel
• When a very bright light, such as the sun or the headlights of oncoming traffic, shines directly into the camera sensor
• When the surrounding area is dim, such as at dawn or dusk, or while at night or in a
tunnel
• If a preceding vehicle has a low rear end,
such as a low bed trailer
• If a vehicle ahead has extremely high ground clearance
• When a vehicle ahead is not directly in front of your vehicle
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
2154-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
• After the hybrid system has started the vehicle has not been driven for a certainamount of time
• While making a left/right turn and for a few seconds after making a left/right turn
• While driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving on a curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the camera sensor
• The vehicle is wobbling.
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds.
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or ca mera sensor is misaligned
●In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking force may not be obtained,
preventing the system from performing properly:
• If the braking functions cannot operate to their full extent, such as when the brake
parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If the vehicle is not properly maintained (brakes or tires are excessively worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven on a gravel road or other slippery surface
●Some pedestrians such as the following may not be detected by the radar sensor and
camera sensor, preventing the system from operating properly
*2:
• Pedestrians shorter than approximately 3.2 ft. (1 m) or taller than approximately 6.5 ft. (2 m)
• Pedestrians wearing oversized clothing (a rain coat, long skirt, etc.), making their sil-
houette obscure
• Pedestrians who are carrying large baggage, holding an umbrella, etc., hiding part of their body
• Pedestrians who are bending forward or squatting
• Pedestrians who are pushing a stroller, wheelchair, bicycle or other vehicle
• Groups of pedestrians which are close together
• Pedestrians who are wearing white and look extremely bright
• Pedestrians in the dark, such as at night or while in a tunnel
• Pedestrians whose clothing appears to be nearly the same color or brightness as their surroundings
• Pedestrians near walls, fences, guardrails, or large objects
• Pedestrians who are on a metal object (manhole cover, steel plate, etc.) on the road
• Pedestrians who are walking fast
• Pedestrians who are changing speed abruptly
• Pedestrians running out from behind a vehicle or a large object
• Pedestrians who are extremely close to the side of the vehicle (outside rear view mirror, etc.)
*2: For countries/areas specified as Region B ( →P. 205), the pedestrian detection
function may not be available.
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or low-
ered
216
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■If the PCS warning light flashes and a warnin
g message is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The pre-collision system may be temporarily unavailable or there may be a malfunction
in the system.
●In the following situations, th e warning light will turn off, the message will disappear and
the system will become operational when normal operating conditions return:
• When the radar sensor or camera sensor or the area around either sensor is hot, such as in the sun
• When the radar sensor or camera sensor or the area around either sensor is cold,
such as in an extremely cold environment
• When the radar sensor or front grille emblem is dirty or covered with snow, etc.
• When the part of the windshield in front of the camera sensor is fogged up or cov-
ered with condensation or ice (Defogging the windshield: →P. 3 9 2 )
• If the camera sensor is obstructed, such as when the hood is open or a sticker is
attached to the windshield near the camera sensor
●If the PCS warning light continues to flash or the warning message does not disappear,
the system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If VSC is disabled
●If VSC is disabled ( →P. 278), the pre-collision brake as sist and pre-collision braking
functions are also disabled.
●The PCS warning light will turn on and “V SC Turned Off Pre-Collision Brake System
Unavailable” will be displayed on the multi-information display.
226
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
Dynamic radar cruise control∗
In vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the vehicle automatically acceler-
ates and decelerates to match the speed changes of the preceding vehicle even
if the accelerator pedal is not depresse
d. In constant speed control mode, the
vehicle runs at a fixed speed.
Use the dynamic radar cruise control on freeways and highways.
●Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode ( →P. 2 2 9 )
●Constant speed control mode ( →P. 2 3 4 )
Display
Set speed
Indicators
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance but-
ton
Cruise control switch
∗: If equipped
Summary of functions
1
2
3
4
5