2020 Lexus IS350 ESP

2884-5. Using the driving support systems
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
WARNING
■Handling the radar sensor
Blind Spot Monitor sensors ar e installed behind the left and right sides of the rear
bumper respectively. Observe the following to ensure the Blind Spot Monitor can
function correctly.
●Do not subject a sensor or its surrounding area on the rear bumper to a strong
impact.
If a sensor is moved even slightly off po sition, the system may malfunction and vehi-
cles may not be detected correctly.
In the following situations , have your vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
• A sensor or its surrounding area is subject to a strong impact.
• If the surrounding area of a sensor is sc ratched or dented, or part of them has
become disconnected.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach stickers to the sensor or surrounding area on the rear bumper.
●Do not modify the sensor or surrounding area on the rear bumper.
●Do not paint the rear bumper any colo r other than an official Lexus color.
●Keep the sensors and the surrounding areas
on the rear bumper clean at all times.
If a sensor or its surrounding area on the rear
bumper is dirty or covered with snow, the
Blind Spot Monitor may not operate and a
warning message (P. 543) will be dis-
played. In this situation, clear off the dirt or
snow and drive the vehicle with the operation
conditions of the BSM function ( P. 291) sat-
isfied for approximately 10 minutes. If the
warning message does not disappear, have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

2894-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
The BSM 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 th e vehicles existence via the outside rear
view mirror indicator.
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
*
*
: The area between the side of the vehicle and 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from the side of the
vehicle cannot be detected.
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from the
rear bumper
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) forward
of the rear bumper
BSM function
BSM function detection areas
1
2
3
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
The BSM function is a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a vehicle is in
a blind spot of the outside rear view mirrors or is approaching rapidly from behind into
a blind spot. Do not overly rely on the BSM function. As the function cannot judge if it is
safe to change lanes, over reliance could lead to an accident resulting in death or seri-
ous injury.
As the system may not function correctly under certain conditions, the driver’s own
visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

2934-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
■RCTA icon display
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is
detected, the following will be displayed on the audio system screen.
DisplayContent
A vehicle is approaching from the left at the rear of the vehicle
A vehicle is approaching from the right at the rear of the vehicle
Vehicles are approaching from both sides of the vehicle
The RCTA function is malfunctioning ( P. 287)
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
The RCTA function is only a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a vehi-
cle is approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle. As the RCTA function
may not function correctly under certain cond itions, the driver’s own visual confirma-
tion of safety is necessary. Over reliance on this function may lead to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.

2944-5. Using the driving support systems
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The buzzer can alert the driver of faster vehicles approaching from farther away.
Example:
■The RCTA function is operational when
The RCTA function operates when all of the following conditions are met:
●The BSM function is on.
●The shift lever is in R.
●The vehicle speed is less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
●The approaching vehicle speed is between approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) and 18 mph
(28 km/h).
RCTA 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)
1

2974-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
Vehicles without Adaptive Variable Suspension System
Normal mode
Provides an optimal balance of fuel economy, quietness, and dynamic perfor-
mance. Suitable for city driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode to normal mode when Eco drive mode or
sport mode is selected.
Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an eco-fr iendly manner and improve fuel econ-
omy through moderate throttle charact eristics and by controlling the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
Sport mode
Controls the transmission and engine to provide quick, powerful acceleration.
This mode also changes the steering feel, making it suitable for when agile
driving response is desired, such as wh en driving on roads with many curves.
When not in sport mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the right, the
“SPORT” indicator will comes on.
Driving mode select switch
The driving modes can be selected to suit driving condition.
Except
F SPORT models F SPORT
models
1
2
3

2994-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an eco-friendly manner and improve fuel econ-
omy through moderate throttle charact eristics and by controlling the opera-
tion of the air conditioning system (heating/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the left, the
Eco drive mode indicator will come on.
Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Controls the transmission and engine to provide quick, powerful accelera-
tion. This mode is suitable for when agile driving response is desired, such
as when driving on roads with many curves.
When not in SPORT S mode, if the driving mode select switch is turned to the
right, the “SPORT S” indicator will come on.
•SPORT S+ mode
Helps to ensure steering performanc e and driving stability by simultane-
ously controlling the steeri ng and suspension in addition to the transmis-
sion and engine. Suitable for sportier driving.
When in SPORT S mode, if the driving mo de select switch is turned to the
right, the “SPORT S+” indicator will come on.
FunctionSetting
Powertrain
Normal
Power
Eco
ChassisNormal
Sport
Air conditioning systemNormal
Eco
2
3

3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes 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 reduce the backward movement of the vehicle when starting on an
uphill
Driving assist systems
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.

3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IS350 AWD/IS350/IS300 AWD/IS300_U
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/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable wh ile driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC 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 control 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.
■When the TRAC/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
TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tire s are inflated to the recommended tire infla-
tion pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are
installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further in formation 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.