156 4-1. Before driving
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 WARNING■
When driving the vehicle●
Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with
the location of the brake and accelera-
tor pedals to avoid depressing the
wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelera-
tor pedal instead of the brake pedal
will result in sudden acceleration that
may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your
body around, leading to a difficulty in
operating the pedals. Make sure to
operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving
posture even when moving the vehicle
only slightly. This allows you to depress
the brake and accelerator pedals
properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your
right foot. Depressing the brake pedal
using your left foot may delay
response in an emergency, resulting in
an accident.●
Do not drive the vehicle over or stop
the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases
can be extremely hot. These hot parts
may cause a fire if there is any flamma-
ble material nearby.
●
Vehicles without Lexus Safety System
+ A: During normal driving, do not turn
off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should putt
over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emer-
gency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way:
P.406 ●
Vehicles with Lexus Safety System + A:
During normal driving, do not turn off
the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, however,
power assist to the st eering will be lost.
This will make it more difficult to steer
smoothly, so you should pull over and
stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if
it becomes impossible to stop the vehi-
cle in the normal way: P.406●
Use engine braking (downshift) to
maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may
cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P.167)●
Do not adjust the positions of the
steering wheel, the seat, or the inside
or outside rear view mirrors while driv-
ing.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle
control. ●
Always check that all passengers’
arms, heads or other parts of their
body are not outside the vehicle. ●
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140
km/h) unless your vehicle has
high-speed capability tires. Driving
over 85 mph (140 km /h) may result in
tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your
vehicle are high-speed capability tires
or not before driving at such speeds.
■
When driving on slippery road sur-
faces
●
Sudden braking, acceleration and
steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehi-
cle.
●
Sudden acceleration, engine braking
due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
186 4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 ●
If the wiper is turned to AUTO mode
while the engine switch is in IGNITION
ON mode, the wipers will operate once
to show that AUTO mode is activated.●
If the temperature of the raindrop sensor
is 185°F (85°C) or higher, or 5°F
(-15°C) or lower, automatic operation
may not occur. In this case, operate the
wipers in any mode other than AUTO
mode.■
If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not
blocked if there is wash er fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
■
Front door opening linked windshield
wiper stop function
When is selected and the windshield
wipers are operating, if a front door is
opened while the vehicle is stopped and the
P shift position is sele cted, operation of the
windshield wipers w ill be stopped to pre-
vent anyone near the vehicle from being
sprayed by water from the wipers. When
the front door is closed, wiper operation will
resume.
■
When stopping the engine in an emer-
gency while driving
If the windshield wipers are operating when
the engine is stopped, the windshield wipers
will operate in high speed operation. After
the vehicle is stopped, operation will return
to normal when the engi ne switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, or operation will
stop when the driver’s door is opened. ■
Outside rear view mirror defogger acti-
vation linked to windshield wiper opera-
tion
The outside rear view mirror defoggers
automatically turn on when you operate the
windshield wipers.
The outside rear view mirror defoggers
automatically turn off approximately 15
minutes after the wipers stop.
For details about the outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers: P.314
WARNING■
Caution regarding the use of wind-
shield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate
unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subj ect to vibration in
AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers
or anything else do not become caught
in the windshield wipers. ■
Caution regarding the use of washer
fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer
fluid until the windshield becomes warm.
The fluid may freeze on the windshield
and cause low visibility. This may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■
When there is no washer fluid spray
from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may
be caused if the lever is pulled toward
you and held continually.
■
When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other
object. The nozzle will be damaged.
194 4-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 WARNING●
Do not attach objects, such as stickers,
transparent stickers, and so forth, to
the outer side of the windshield in front
of the front camera (shaded area in the
illustration).
From the top of the windshield to
approximately 0.4 in. (1 cm) below
the bottom of the front camera
Approximately 14.2 in. (36 cm)
(Approximately 7.1 in. [18 cm] to the
right and left from the center of the
front camera)●
If the part of the windshield in front of
the front camera is fogged up or cov-
ered with condensation or ice, use the
windshield defogger to remove the
fog, condensation or ice. ( P.314)
●
If water droplets cannot be properly
removed from the area of the wind-
shield in front of the front camera by
the windshield wipers, replace the
wiper insert or wiper blade.
If the wiper inserts or wiper blades need
to be replaced, contact your Lexus
dealer.
●
Do not attach window tint to the wind-
shield.
●
Replace the windshield if it is damaged
or cracked.
If the windshield needs to be replaced,
contact your Lexus dealer.
●
Do not allow liquids to contact the
front camera. A
B ●
Do not allow bright lights to shine into
the front camera. ●
Do not dirty or damage the front cam-
era.
When cleaning the inside of the wind-
shield, do not allow glass cleaner to
contact the lens of the front camera.
Also, do not touch the lens.
If the lens is dirty or damaged, contact
your Lexus dealer. ●
Do not subject the front camera to a
strong impact. ●
Do not change the installation position
or direction of the front camera or
remove it. ●
Do not disassemble the front camera. ●
Do not modify any components of the
vehicle around the front camera
(inside rear view mirror, etc.) or ceiling. ●
Do not attach any accessories to the
hood, front grille or front bumper that
may obstruct the front camera. Con-
tact your Lexus dealer for details. ●
If a surfboard or other long object is to
be mounted on the roof, make sure
that it will not obstruct the front cam-
era.
●
Do not modify the headlights or other
lights.
200 4-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 WARNING●
If the part of the windshield in front of
the front camera is fogged up or cov-
ered with condensation, or ice, use the
windshield defogger to remove the
fog, condensation, or ice. ( P.314)●
If water droplets cannot be properly
removed from the area of the wind-
shield in front of the front camera by
the windshield wipers, replace the
wiper insert or wiper blade.
If the wiper inserts or wiper blades need
to be replaced, contact your Lexus
dealer. ●
Do not attach window tint to the wind-
shield.●
Replace the windshield if it is damaged
or cracked.
If the windshield needs to be replaced,
contact your Lexus dealer.●
Do not allow liquids to contact the
front camera.●
Do not allow bright lights to shine into
the front camera.●
Do not dirty or damage the front cam-
era.
When cleaning the inside of the wind-
shield, do not allow glass cleaner to
contact the lens of the front camera.
Also, do not touch the lens.
If the lens is dirty or damaged, contact
your Lexus dealer.
●
Do not subject the front camera to a
strong impact.
●
Do not change the installation position
or direction of the front camera or
remove it.
●
Do not disassemble the front camera.
●
Do not modify any components of the
vehicle around the front camera
(inside rear view mirror, etc.) or ceiling. ●
Do not attach any accessories to the
hood, front grille or front bumper that
may obstruct the front camera. Con-
tact your Lexus dealer. ●
If a surfboard or other long object is to
be mounted on the roof, make sure
that it will not obstruct the front cam-
era. ●
Do not modify the headlights or other
lights.
2134-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 4
Driving • If a vehicle ahead has extremely high
ground clearance
• 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 a vehicle ahead is a child sized bicycle,
a bicycle that is carrying a large load, a
bicycle ridden by more than one person,
or a uniquely shaped bicycle (bicycle with
a child seat, tandem bicycle, etc.)
• If a pedestrian/or the riding height of a
bicyclist ahead is shorter than approxi-
mately 3.2 ft. (1 m) or taller than approxi-
mately 6.5 ft. (2 m)
• If a pedestrian/bicyclist is wearing over-
sized clothing (a rain coat, long skirt,
etc.), making their silhouette obscure
• If a pedestrian is bending forward or
squatting or bicyclist is bending forward
• If a pedestrian/bicyclist is moving fast
• If a pedestrian is pushing a stroller, wheel-
chair, bicycle or other vehicle
• When driving in incl ement weather such
as heavy rain, fog, snow or a sandstorm
• When driving through steam or smoke
• When the surrounding area is dim, such
as at dawn or dusk, or while at night or in
a tunnel, making a vehicle, pedestrian or
bicyclist appear to be nearly the same
color as its surroundings
• When driving in a place where the sur-
rounding brightness changes suddenly,
such as at the entrance or exit of a tunnel
• When driving in a lo cation where there are many objects which reflect radar,
such as a tunnel or parking garage
• After the engine has started the vehicle
has not been driven for a certain amount
of time
• While making a left/r ight 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 front of the vehicle is raised or low-
ered
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the front cam-
era
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely
high speeds.
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or front camera is mis-
aligned
• If the headlights are misaligned
• When approaching a guardrail at a wide
or narrow angle
• When a vehicle approaches your vehicle
from the front left or right side while your
vehicle is entering an intersection with
poor visibility
• When a vehicle approaches your vehicle
from the rear left or right side
• When a vehicle approaches the side of
your vehicle at a shallow angle
• When driving on a road with a grade that
changes sharply (sha rp incline/decline)
• Pedestrians and bicyclists which are not
illuminated by the head lights at night, in a
tunnel, etc.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists which change
speed or direction abruptly
• Pedestrians and bicyclists which suddenly
emerge from behind a vehicle or large
object
• Pedestrians and bicyclists which are
extremely close to the side of the vehicle
(outside rear view mirror, etc.)
214 4-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 ●
In some situations, such as the following,
the sensors may not detect the lane lines
or a safe space the vehicle can be steered
into, preventing the ac tive steering assist
from operating properly:
• When the white (yellow) lane lines are
difficult to see, such as when they are
faint, diverging/merging, or a shadow is
cast upon them
• When the lane is more wide or narrow
than normal
• When there is a light and dark pattern on
the road surface, such as due to road
repairs
• If the system determines that a collision
can be avoided by only using the brakes
• When a pedestrian is detected near the
centerline of the vehicle●
In some situations such as the following,
sufficient braking force or steering force
may not be obtained, preventing the sys-
tem 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
• If there are deep ruts in the road
• When driving on a slope
• When driving on a horizontally slanted
road●
Some guardrails, such as the following,
may not be detected by the sensors, pre-
venting the system from operating prop-
erly:
• Guardrails which are less than approxi-
mately 1.9 ft. (60 cm) tall
• Short guardrails
• Irregularly-shaped guardrails (wire cable
guardrails, guardrails made of thin poles,
etc.)
• Guardrails which are not illuminated by
the headlights at night, in a tunnel, etc.
• Guardrails which appear to be nearly the
same color or brig htness as their sur-
roundings
• Guardrails which appear to be nearly the
same shape as their surroundings (walls,
etc.) • Guardrails which are over a metal object
(manhole cover, steel plate, etc.)
• Guardrails which are hidden behind thick
grass
• Guardrails which are extremely close to
the side of the vehicle (outside rear view
mirror, etc.)
• Curved guardrails or guardrails at the
entrance of a curve ●
In some situations su ch as the following,
the system may detect a pedestrian and
display a warning on the head-up display,
even though no pedestrian exists:
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or low-
ered, such as when the road surface is
uneven or undulating (due to ruts, etc.)
• When driving on a slope
• When driving on a horizontally slanted
road
• If the driver’s posture (driver seat posi-
tion) is extreme, such as excessively
reclined
• If the head-up display position is set
extremely high ■
If VSC is disabled ●
If VSC is disabled ( P.294), the pre-col-
lision brake assist and pre-collision brak-
ing functions are also disabled. ●
The PCS warning light will turn on and
“VSC Turned Off Pre-Collision Brake
System Unavailable” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
250 4-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 *
: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.251)
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.466)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
2534-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 4
Driving ■
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