2018 Lexus GS350 ESP

GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
2814-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
The Blind Spot Monitor function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles that are
traveling in an adjacent lane in the area that is not reflected in the outside rear
view mirror (the blind spot), and advises the driver of the vehicle’s existence via
the outside rear view mirror indicator.
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of the detection area
extends to:
Approximately 11.5 ft. (3.5 m) from
the side of the vehicle
The first 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from the side of
the vehicle is not in the detection area
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from the
rear bumper
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) forward
of the rear bumper
The Blind Spot Monitor function
The Blind Spot Monitor function detection areas
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2
3
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the system
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
The Blind Spot Monitor function is a supp lementary function which alerts the driver
that a vehicle is present in the blind spot. Do not overly rely on the Blind Spot Monitor
function. The function cannot judg e if it is safe to change lanes, therefore over reliance
could cause an accident resultin g in death or serious injury.
According to conditio ns, the system may not function correctly. Therefore the driver’s
own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
2834-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert functions when your vehicle is in reverse. It can
detect other vehicles approaching from the right or left rear of the vehicle. It uses
radar sensors to alert the driver of the other vehicle’s existence through flashing
the outside rear view mirror indicators and sounding a buzzer.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function
Approaching vehicles Detection areas
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the system
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is only an assist and is not a replacement for care-
ful driving. The driver must be careful when backing up, even when using the Rear
Cross Traffic Alert function. The driver’s ow n visual confirmation of behind you and
your vehicle is necessary and be sure ther e are no pedestrians, other vehicles etc.
before backing up. Failure to do so could cause death or serious injury.
According to conditio ns, the system may not function correctly. Therefore the driver’s
own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.
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GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
To give the driver a more consistent time
to react, the buzzer can alert for faster
vehicles from farther away.
Example:
■The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is operational when
●The BSM function is turned on.
●The shift lever is in R.
●Vehicle speed is less than ap proximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
●Approaching vehicle speed is between approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) and 18 mph
(28 km/h).
■Conditions under which the Re ar Cross Traffic Alert function will not detect a vehicle
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is no t designed to detect the following types of
vehicles and/or objects.
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.*
●Vehicles approaching from directly behind
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehi cles and similar stationary objects*
●Vehicles moving away from your vehicle
●Vehicles approaching from the parking spaces next to your vehicle*
●Vehicles backing up in the parking space next to your vehicle*
*
: Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function detection areas
Approaching vehicleSpeedApproximate
alert distance
Fast18 mph (28 km/h)65 ft. (20 m)
Slow5 mph (8 km/h)18 ft. (5.5 m)
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286
GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
TVD (Torque Vectoring Differential) (GS F)
With the engine switch in IGNITION
ON mode, pressing the TVD switch
changes the TVD control mode.
The current TVD control mode will be
displayed on the meters.
STANDARD mode
This is the default mode and provides
an optimum balance of driving agility
and stability.
SLALOM mode
This mode emphasizes enhanced
steering response.
TRACK mode
This mode emphasiz
es stability for
high speed sporty driving.
The multi-information display shows the di stribution of driving force between the
right and left rear wheels. ( →P. 113)
The TVD system distributes driving force (torque) between the right an\
d left
rear wheels automatically. This syst em contributes to enhanced steering
response while cornering and increased traction when exiting a corner, pro-
viding an agile driving experience.
Changing TVD control modes
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2
3
TVD control status on the multi-information display

GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
2874-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Automatic cancelation of the selected TVD control mode
SLALOM and TRACK mode are canceled when the engine switch is turned off. When
the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, the TVD system will be in STAN-
DARD mode.
■Automatic disabling of the TVD system
If a malfunction is detected in the TVD system, a warn ing message will be displayed on
the multi-information display (→ P. 441) and the TVD system will be disabled automati-
cally. If the system is disabled, driving force will not be distributed by the TVD but through
normal differential operation.
■To protect the system
If the TVD fluid temperature becomes excessively high due to driving for a long time
under extremely high load conditions, a warn ing message will be displayed on the multi-
information display. ( →P. 441)
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the system
The driver is solely responsible for safe driv ing. Do not overly rely on the TVD system.
Always drive safely, taking care to observe your surroundings.

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GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving assist systems
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the br
akes are applied suddenly, or if the
brakes are applied while drivin g 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 contro l 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 sur-
faces by controlling steering performance.
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and pr event the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to prevent the vehicle from ro lling backward when starting on an
incline.
To help enhance driving safety and perf ormance, the following systems oper-
ate automatically in response to variou s driving situations. Be aware, however,
that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied upon too heav-
ily when operating the vehicle.

GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)
2894-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
◆VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering) (if equipped)
Adjusts the front wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed
and steering wheel movement
◆DRS (Dynamic Rear Steering) (if equipped)
Contributes to the turning characteristi cs and responsiveness of the vehicle
by slightly adjusting the rear wheel angle of the vehicle in accordance 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 dampin g force of the shock absorbers for
each of the 4 wheels according to the ro ad and driving conditions, this system
helps riding comfort with superior a high level of stability, and helps good vehi-
cle posture
When SPORT S+ mode is selected by the driving mode select switch, the
damping force is suitable for sporty driving (→P. 273)
◆LDH (Lexus Dynamic Hand ling 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 th e steering angle of the front and rear
wheels in accordance with the steeri ng wheel operation and vehicle speed
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, 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 surfaces by
controlling the brakes, engine output, steering assist, steering ratio and rear
wheel angle

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GS350_300_GS F_OM_OM30G34U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
WARNING
■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, grav el 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
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable wh ile driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC 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 the hill-start assist control. The 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 exte nded period of time. Do not atte mpt 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 drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause an
accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.