
2514-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4
Driving *
:If equipped
Meter control switchesTurning the Blind Spot Monitor on/off. Outside rear view mirror indicators When a vehicle is dete cted in a blind spot
of the outside rear view mirrors or
approaching rapidly from behind into a
blind spot, the outside rear view mirror
indicator on the detected side will illumi-
nate. If the turn signal lever is operated
toward the detected side, the outside rear
view mirror indicator flashes.
BSM indicator Illuminates when the Blind Spot Monitor is
enabled ■
Outside rear view mirror indicator visi-
bility
In strong sunlight, the outside rear view mir-
ror indicator may be difficult to see. ■
When “BSM Not Available” is shown on
the multi-information display
Ice, snow, mud, etc., may be attached to the
rear bumper around the sensors. ( → P.252)
The system should return to normal opera-
tion after removing the ice, snow, mud, etc.
from the rear bumper. Additionally, the sen-
sors may not operate normally when driving
in extremely hot or cold environments. ■
Customization
Some functions can be customized.
( → P.468)BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) *
The Blind Spot Monitor is a system
that uses rear side radar sensors
installed on the inner side of the
rear bumper on the left and right
side to assist the driver in confirm-
ing safety when changing lanes. WARNING■
Cautions regarding the use of the sys-
tem
The driver is solely responsible for safe
driving. Always driv e safely, taking care
to observe your surroundings.
The Blind Spot Monitor is a supplemen-
tary function which alerts the driver that a
vehicle is in a blind spot of the outside
rear view mirrors or is approaching rap-
idly from behind into a blind spot. Do not
overly rely on the Blind Spot Monitor. As
the function cannot judge if it is safe to
change lanes, over reliance could lead to
an accident resulting in death or serious
injury.
As the system may not function correctly
under certain conditions, the driver’s own
visual confirmation of safety is necessary.
System components
A B
C

254 4-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) ■
Vehicles that can be detected by the Blind Spot Monitor
The Blind Spot Monitor uses rear side ra dar sensors to detect the following vehi-
cles traveling in adjacent lanes and advises the driver of the presence of such vehi-
cles via the indicators on th e outside rear view mirrors.
Vehicles that are traveling in areas that are not visible using the outside rear
view mirrors (the blind spots)
Vehicles that are approaching rapidly from behind in areas that are not visible
using the outside rear view mirrors (the blind spots) ■
The Blind Spot Monitor detection areas
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of each detection area is:
Approximately 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) to 11.5 ft. (3.5 m) from either side of the vehicle *1
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) forward of the rear bumper
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from the rear bumper
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) to 19 7 ft. (60 m) from the rear bumper *2*1
: The area between the side of the vehicle and 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from th e side of the vehicle
cannot be detected. *2
: The greater the difference in speed between your vehicle and the detected vehicle is, Blind Spot Monitor operation
A
B
A
B
C
D

2554-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4
Driving the farther away the vehicle will be detected, caus ing the outside rear view mirror indi-
cator to illuminate or flash.■
The Blind Spot Monitor is operational
when
The Blind Spot Monitor is operational when
all of the following conditions are met: ●
The Blind Spot Monitor is on.●
The shift position is in a position other
than R.●
The vehicle speed is greater than approx-
imately 10 mph (16 km/h).■
The Blind Spot Monitor will detect a
vehicle when
The Blind Spot Monitor will detect a vehicle
present in the detection area in the follow-
ing situations: ●
A vehicle in an adj acent lane overtakes
your vehicle.●
You overtake a vehicle in adjacent lane
slowly.●
Another vehicle enters the detection
area when it changes lanes.■
Conditions under wh ich the Blind Spot
Monitor will not detect a vehicle
The Blind Spot Monitor is not designed to
detect the following types of vehicles and/or
objects: ●
Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians,
etc. *
●
Vehicles traveling in the opposite direc-
tion●
Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles
and similar stationary objects *
●
Following vehicles th at are in the same
lane *
●
Vehicles traveling 2 lanes away from your
vehicle *
*
: Depending on the conditions, detection
of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■
Conditions under wh ich the Blind Spot
Monitor may not fu nction correctly
●
The Blind Spot Monitor may not detect
vehicles correctly in the following situa- tions:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a
strong impact to the sensor or its sur-
rounding area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is
covering the sensor or surrounding area
on the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is
wet with standing water during bad
weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When multiple vehicles are approaching
with only a small gap between each vehi-
cle
• When the distance between your vehicle
and a following vehicle is short
• When there is a significant difference in
speed between your vehicle and the vehi-
cle that enters the detection area
• Vehicles which are being overtaken rap-
idly by your vehicle.
• When the difference in speed between
your vehicle and another vehicle is
changing
• When a vehicle enters a detection area
traveling at about the same speed as your
vehicle
• As your vehicle starts from a stop, a vehi-
cle remains in the detection area
• When driving up and down consecutive
steep inclines, such as hills, dips in the
road, etc.
• When driving on roads with sharp bends,
consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When vehicle lanes are wide, or when
driving on the edge of a lane, and the
vehicle in an adjacent lane is far away
from your vehicle
• When an accessory (such as a bicycle
carrier) is installed to the rear of the vehi-
cle
• When there is a significant difference in
height between your vehicle and the
vehicle that enters the detection area
• Immediately after the Blind Spot Monitor
is turned on
●
Instances of the Blind Spot Monitor
unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/or
object may increase in the following situ-
ations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a
strong impact to the sensor or its sur-

264 4-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) *
:If equipped
Meter control switchesTurning the RCTA function on/off.
When the RCTA function is disabled, the
RCTA OFF indicator illuminates.
Outside rear view mirror indicatorsWhen a vehicle approaching from the right
or left at the rear of the vehicle is detected,
both outside rear view mirror indicators
will flash.
Center Display If a vehicle approaching from the right or
left at the rear of th e vehicle is detected,
the RCTA icon ( → P.265) for the detected
side will be displayed on the Center Dis-
play. This illustration shows an example of a
vehicle approaching from both sides of the
vehicle.
RCTA buzzer If a vehicle approaching from the right or
left at the rear of th e vehicle is detected, a
buzzer will sound. The buzzer also sounds
for approximately 1 second immediately
after the RCTA function is turned on.
Use the meter control switches to
enable/disable the RCTA function.
( → P.77)
1 Press or to select .
2 Press or to select “PKSA”
and then press .
3 Press or to select “RCTA”
and then press . When the RCTA function is disabled, the
RCTA OFF indicator ( → P.64) illuminates
on the multi-informat ion display. (Each
time the engine switch is turned off then
changed to IGNITION ON mode, the
RCTA function will be enabled automati-
cally.)RCTA (Rear cross traffic
alert) function *
The RCTA function uses the BSM
rear side radar sensors installed
behind the rear bumper. This func-
tion is intended to assist the driver
in checking areas that are not easily
visible when backing up.
System components
A
B
C Turning the RCTA function
on/off D

2654-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4
Driving ■
Outside rear view mirror indicator visi-
bility
In strong sunlight, the outside rear view mir- ror indicator may be difficult to see. ■
Hearing the RCTA buzzer
The RCTA buzzer may be difficult to hear
over loud noises, such as if the audio system
volume is high. ■
When “RCTA NOT AVAILABLE” is
shown on the multi-information display
Water, snow, mud, etc., may be attached to
the rear bumper around the sensors.
( → P.253) Removing the water, snow, mud,
etc., from the attached to the rear bumper
around the sensors to normal.
Additionally, the function may not function
normally when used in extremely hot or
cold environments. ■
Rear side radar sensors
→ P.253
■
Operation of the RCTA function
The RCTA function uses rear side radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching
from the right or left at the rear of the ve hicle and alerts the driver of the presence
of such vehicles by flashing the outside rear view mirror indi cators and sounding a
buzzer.
Approaching vehicles
Detection areas of approaching vehicles ■
RCTA icon display
When a vehicle approaching from the
right or left at the rear of the vehicle is detected, the following will be dis-
played on the Center Display.
Example (Lexus parking assist mon-WARNING■
Cautions regarding the use of the
function
The driver is solely responsible for safe
driving. Always driv e safely, taking care
to observe your surroundings.
The RCTA function is only a supplemen-
tary function which alerts the driver that a
vehicle is approaching from the right or
left at the rear of the vehicle. As the
RCTA function may not function cor-
rectly under certain conditions, the
driver’s own visual confirmation of safety
is necessary. Over reli ance on this func-
tion may lead to an accident resulting
death or serious injury.
RCTA function
A
B

3135-3. Using the air conditio ning system and defogger
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 5
Interior features 5-3.Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Left-hand side temperature control switch
Automatic mode switch
Off switch
Fan speed decreases switch
Fan speed increases switch
Windshield defogger switch
Rear window defogger and outside rear view mirror defoggers switch
Outside/recirculated air mode switch
Right-hand side temp erature control switch■
Adjusting the temperature
Operate the temperature control
switch upwards to increase the tem-
perature and downwards to decrease
the temperature. ■
Setting the fan speed
Operate the switch to increase the
fan speed and the switch to
decrease the fan speed.
Press the off switch to turn the fan off.Front automatic air conditioning system Air outlets and fan speed are automati cally adjusted according to the tem-
perature setting.
Press the “MENU” button on the Remote Touch to display the main menu and
move the cursor to to display the climate control shortcut buttons. Then,
select to display the air conditioning control screen.
The air conditioning system can be displa yed and operated on the side display.
Air conditioning controls
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I

314 5-3. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) ■
Changing the air flow mode
→ P.316 ■
Switching between outside air and
recirculated air modes
Press the outside/recirculated air
mode switch. The mode changes as follows each time
the switch is pressed.
automatic mode → (outside air
mode) → (recirculated air mode)
→ automatic mode
When the system is switched to automatic
mode, the air conditioning system operates
automatically. ■
Defogging the windshield
Defoggers are used to defog the wind-
shield and front side windows.
Press the windshield defogger switch. Set the outside/reci rculated air mode
switch to outside air mode if the recircu-
lated air mode is used. (It may switch auto-
matically.)
To defog the windshield and the side win-
dows quickly, turn the air flow and tem-
perature up.
To return to the previous mode, press the
windshield defogger switch again when the
windshield is defogged.
■
Defogging the rear window and
outside rear view mirrors
Defoggers are used to defog the rear
window, and to remove raindrops, dew
and frost from the outside rear view
mirrors.
Press the rear window and outside rear
view mirror defoggers switch.
The defoggers will automatically turn off after a while. The operation time changes
according to the ambient temperature and
vehicle speed. ■
Windshield wiper de-icer (if
equipped)
→ P.319 ■
When the outside temperature exceeds
75°F (24°C) and the air conditioning
system is on ●
In order to reduce the air conditioning
power consumption, the air conditioning
system may switch to recirculated air
mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption. ●
It is possible to switch to outside air mode
at any time by pressing the outside/recir-
culated air mode switch. ■
Fogging up of the windows
The windows will easily fog up when the
humidity in the vehicle is high. Turning “A/C”
on will dehumidify the air from the outlets
and defog the windshield effectively. ●
If you turn “A/C” off, the windows may fog
up more easily. ●
The windows may fog up if the recircu-
lated air mode is used. ■
Outside/recirculated air mode ●
When driving on dusty roads such as tun-
nels or in heavy traffic, set the out-
side/recirculated air mode switch to the
recirculated air mode. This is effective in
preventing outside air from entering the
vehicle interior. During cooling opera-
tion, setting the recirc ulated air mode will
also cool the vehicle interior effectively.
●
Outside/recirculated air mode may auto-
matically switch depending on the tem-
perature setting or the inside
temperature.
■
Registering air conditioning settings to
electronic keys
●
Unlocking the vehicle using an electronic
key and turning the engine switch to
IGNITION ON mode will recall that
key’s registered air conditioning settings.

3155-3. Using the air conditio ning system and defogger
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 5
Interior features ●
When the engine switch is turned off, the
current air conditioning settings will auto-
matically be registered to the electronic
key that was used to unlock the vehicle.●
The system may not operate correctly if
more than one electr onic key is in the
vicinity or if the smart access system with
push-button start is used to unlock a pas-
senger door.●
The doors that can recall the air condi-
tioning setting *
when unlocked using the
smart access system with push-button
start can be changed. For details, contact
your Lexus dealer. *
: The doors that can recall the driving
position memory are changed at the
same time.■
Operation of the air conditioning sys-
tem in Eco drive mode
In Eco drive mode, the air conditioning sys-
tem is controlled as follows to prioritize fuel
efficiency: ●
Engine speed and compressor operation
controlled to restri ct heating/cooling
capacity●
Fan speed restricted when automatic
mode is selected
To improve air condit ioning performance,
perform the following operations: ●
Turn off eco air conditioning mode
( → P.316) ●
Adjust the fan speed●
Turn off Eco drive mode ( → P.289)
■
When the outside temperature falls to
nearly 32°F (0°C)
The dehumidification function may not
operate even when “A/C” is selected.
■
Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●
To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning
system to the outside air mode.
●
During use, various odors from inside and
outside the vehicle may enter into and
accumulate in the air conditioning sys-
tem. This may then cause odor to be
emitted from the vents.
●
To reduce potential odors from occur- ring:
• It is recommended that the air condition-
ing system be set to outside air mode
prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be
delayed for a short pe riod of time imme-
diately after the air conditioning system is
started in automatic mode or with the
micro dust and pollen filter on. ●
When parking, the system automatically
switches to outside air mode to encour-
age better air circulation throughout the
vehicle, helping to reduce odors that
occur when starting the vehicle. ■
Using the voice command system
Air conditioning system can be operated
using voice commands. For details, refer to
the “NAVIGATION AND MULTIMEDIA
SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”. ■
Air conditioning filter
→ P.402 ■
Customization
Some functions can be customized.
( → P.468)
WARNING■
To prevent the windshield from fog-
ging up
Do not use the windshield defogger
switch during cool air operation in
extremely humid weather. The difference
between the temperature of the outside
air and that of the windshield can cause
the outer surface of the windshield to fog
up, blocking your vision.
■
When the outside rear view mirror
defoggers are operating
Do not touch the outside rear view mir-
ror surfaces, as they can become very
hot and burn you.