brake sensor Lexus ES350 2012 Owner's Manual

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Event data recorder
Your vehicle has computers that monitor and control certain aspects of your vehi-
cle. These computers assist in driving and maintaining optimal vehicle performance.
Besides storing data useful for troubleshooting, there is an event data recorder
(EDR) that records data in a crash or near crash event.
The SRS airbag sensor assembly contains the EDR. In a crash or near crash event,
this device may record the following information:
• Engine speed
• Whether the brake pedal was depressed or not
•Vehicle speed
• To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
• The transmission shift position
• Whether the driver and front passenger wore seat belts or not
• Driver’s seat position
• SRS airbag deployment data
• SRS airbag system diagnostic data
• Front passenger’s occupant classification
The information above is intended to be used for the purpose of improving vehicle
safety performance. Unlike general data recorders, the EDR does not record sound
data such as conversation between passengers.
●Disclosure of the EDR data
Lexus will not disclose the data recorded in an EDR to a third party except when:
• An agreement from the vehicle’s owner (or the leasing company for a leased vehicle) is obtained
• In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a government agency
• Necessary, for use as a defense for Lexus in a law suit
However, if necessary, Lexus may:
• Use the data for research on Lexus vehicle safety performance
• Disclose the data to a third party for research purposes without disclosing details of the vehicle owner, and that only when deemed necessary
• Disclose summarized data cleared of vehicle identification information to a non-
Lexus organization for research purposes

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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
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■Daytime running light system
●To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on auto-
matically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the parking
brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
●Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system offers
greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve fuel
economy.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after all doors are closed with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch switched to
ACCESSORY mode or turned OFF. (The light turns off immediately if
the button on the key is pressed after all doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is switched to ACCESSORY mode or turned
OFF and driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the light switch
OFF once and then back to the
or position.
■Automatic headlight leveling system (vehicles with discharge headlights)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere with other road users.
■If the indicator flashes... (veh icles with discharge headlights)
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer. The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight control system to mal-
function.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up
to approximately 400 ft. (120 m) ahead, determines the current vehicle-
to-vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain a suitable follow-
ing distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long
downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehi-
cle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol.
Example of deceleration cruising
When the vehicle ahead is driving slower than the set speed
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically
decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is nec-
essary, the system applies the brakes. A warning tone warns you when the
system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your vehicle from closing in
on the vehicle ahead.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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CAUTION
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice and snow
●On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up and
down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●At entrances to expressways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors
from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
●When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
●During emergency towing
■When the sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles are in
front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles, the
approach warning (→P. 169) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious accident
may result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
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CAUTION
■Conditions under which the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control may not function
correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the following conditions as the radar sensor may
not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and a fatal or serious accident may
result:
●When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the function-
ing of the sensor
●When your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the trunk etc.)
●When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
●When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
●When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly
■Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the cruise control system can function effectively.
Otherwise, the system may not function correctly and could result in an accident.
●Keep the sensor and grille cover clean at all times.
Clean the sensor and grille cover with a soft cloth so you do not mark or damage
them.
●Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may malfunction. If the
sensor or surrounding area is subject to a strong impact, always have the area
inspected and adjusted by a Lexus dealer.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille cover or surrounding
area.
●Do not modify or paint the sensor and grille cover.
●Do not replace them with non-genuine parts.

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■Sensor detection information
●Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where this
may occur are listed below.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor.
• The sensor is frozen.
•The sensor is covered in any way.
• The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass
• The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle engines,air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises producing ultrasonic waves.
• There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the vicinity.
• The sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain
• The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
• Towing eyelets are installed.
• The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of their
shapes, signs and other objects may be judged by the sensor to be closer than they
are.
●The shape of the obstacle may prevent the sensor from detecting it. Pay particu-
lar attention to the following obstacles.
• Wires, fences, ropes etc.
• Cotton, snow and other materials that absorb radio waves
• Sharply-angled objects
• Low obstacles
• Tall obstacles with upper sections projecting outwards in the direction of your
vehicle

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
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PCS (Pre-Collision System)∗
Radar sensorDetects vehicles or other obsta-
cles on or near the road ahead and
determines whether a collision is
imminent based on the position,
speed, and heading of the obsta-
cles. Grille cover
Radar sensor
When the radar sensor detects possibility of a frontal collision, the pre-col-
lision system such as the brake assi st and seat belts are automatically
engaged to lessen impact and injuries to occupants as well as vehicle dam-
age.
■ Pre-collision seat belts
If the pre-collision sensor detects that a collision is unavoidable, the pre-
collision system will retract the seat belt before the collision occurs.
The same will happen if the driver makes an emergency braking or loses
control of the vehicle. ( →P. 6 1 )
However, when the VSC systems are disabled, the system will not operate
in the event of skidding.
■ Pre-collision brake assist
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system applies
greater braking force in relation to how strongly the brake pedal is
depressed.
∗: If equipped

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■Obstacles not detected
The sensor cannot detect plastic obstacles such as pylons. There may also be occa-
sions when the sensor cannot detect pedestrians, animals, bicycles, motorcycles,
trees, or snowdrifts.
■The pre-collision system is operational when
●Pre-collision seat belt (type A)
• Vehicle speed is above 4 mph (5 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or oncomingvehicle exceeds 19 mph (30 km/h).
• The front occupants are wearing a seat belt.
●Pre-collision seat belts (type B)
• Vehicle speed is above 19 mph (30 km/h).
• The system detects sudden braking or skidding.
• The front occupants are wearing a seat belt.
●Pre-collision brake assist
• Vehicle speed is above 19 mph (30 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehicle is greater than about 19 mph (30 km/h).
• The brake pedal is depressed.
■Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no possibility of co llision
●When there is an object by the roadside at the entrance to a curve
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a curve
●When driving over a narrow iron bridge
●When there is a metal object on the road surface
●When there is a metal plate in the road in front of the vehicle on a downhill slope
●When there is a metal object such as a sign board in front of the vehicle on an
uphill slope
●When driving on an uneven road surface
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a left-turn
●When your vehicle rapidly closes on the vehicle in front
●When a grade separation/interchange, sign, billboard, or other structure
appears to be directly in the vehicle's line of travel.

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When driving
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●When climbing a steep hill causes an overhead billboard or other metallic struc-
ture to appear directly in the vehicle's line of travel.
●When an extreme change in vehicle height occurs
●When the axis of the radar is out of adjustment
●When passing through certain toll gates
When the system is activated in the situations described above there is also a possi-
bility that the seat belts will retract quickly and the brakes will be applied with a force
greater than normal. When the seat belt is locked in the retracted position, stop the
vehicle in a safe place, release the seat belt and refasten.
■Situations in which the pre-collision system does not function properly
The system may not function effectively in situations such as the following:
●On roads with sharp bends or uneven surfaces
●On slippery roads such as those covered with ice or snow
●If a vehicle suddenly moves in front of your vehicle, such as at an intersection
●If a vehicle suddenly cuts in front of your vehicle, such as when overtaking
●In inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or sand storms
■Automatic cancelation of the pre-collision system
When a malfunction occurs due to sensor contamination, etc. that results in the
sensors being unable to detect obstacles, the pre-collision system will be automati-
cally disabled. In this case, the system will not activate even if there is a collision pos-
sibility.
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning messages will turn on or flash. ( →P. 439, 449)

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Alphabetical index
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Light bulbsReplacing............................................... 420
Wattage.................................................. 495
Lights
Door courtesy lights........................... 312
Emergency flasher switch .............430
Fog light switch.....................................154
Hazard light switch ...........................430
Headlights switch ................................149
Interior light switch.............................. 314
Outer foot lights ................................... 312
Personal light switch .......................... 314
Replacing light bulbs........................ 420
Shift lever lighting ................................ 312
Turn signal lever ...................................135
Vanity lights .......................................... 323
Wattage.................................................. 495
Load capacity .......................................... 195
Maintenance
Do-it-yourself ma intenance ......... 370
General maintenance .....................366
Maintenance data..............................486
Maintenance requirements .......... 364
Meter Instrument panel light control .......139
Meters ...................................................... 138
Mirrors
Inside rear view mirror....................... 66
Side mirror heater ............................... 213
Side mirrors ............................................. 68
Vanity mirrors...................................... 323
Moon roof ................................................... 73
MP3 disc* ................................................. 231
Multi-information display ................... 144 Noise from under vehicle ......................18
Odometer ................................................ 138
Oil
Engine oil................................................379
Opener
Fuel filler door .........................................78
Hood ........................................................374
Trunk............................................................46
Outer foot lights
Outer foot lights................................... 312
Wattage ................................................. 495
Outside rear view mirrors Adjusting and folding ......................... 68
Mirror position memory ..................... 51
Outside temperature display ............146
Overhead console ................................ 318
Overheating, Engine ..........................480
Parking assist sensors........................... 176
Parking brake...........................................136
Parking lights
Switch........................................................ 149
Wattage ................................................. 495
PCS ..............................................................187
Personal lights Switch........................................................ 314
Wattage ................................................. 495
Power outlet ........................................... 327
Power steering fluid ............................385
Power windows ........................................ 70
Pre-collision system ..............................187L
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