Lexus CT200h 2012 Owner's Manual (in English)

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Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in response to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and should
not be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal
is depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or
turning on slippery road surfaces
TRC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from
spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel

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VSC + (Vehicle Stability Control +)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery
road surfaces by controlling steering performance.
Hill-start assist control
P. 296
PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system) (if equipped)
P. 299
Emergency brake signal
When the brakes are applied suddenly, the stop lights automatically
flash to alert the vehicle behind.

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When the VSC/TRC systems are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of
slipping or if any of the drive
wheels spins, the slip indicator
light flashes to indicate that the
VSC/TRC systems are operat-
ing.
Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC and TRC
A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the hybrid
system is started, just after the vehicle begins to move, if the brake pedal
is depressed forcefully or repeatedly, or 1-2 minutes after the hybrid sys-
tem is stopped. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may
be heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur,
refrain from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid
system off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.

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Operating conditions of emergency brake signal
When the following three conditions are met, the emergency brake signal
will operate:
The emergency flashers are off.
Actual vehicle speed is over 55 km/h (35 mph).
The brake pedal is depressed in a manner that cause the system to judge
from the vehicle deceleration that this is a sudden braking operation.
Automatic system cancelation of emergency brake signal
The emergency brake signal will turn off in any of the following situations:
The emergency flashers are turned on.
The brake pedal is released.
The system judges from the vehicle deceleration that is not a sudden
braking operation.
CAUTION
The ABS does not operate effectively when
Tires with inadequate gripping ability are used (such as excessively worn
tires on a snow covered road).
The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick road.
Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal
conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following sit-
uations:
When driving on dirt, gravel 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

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CAUTION
TRC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be
lost.
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.
Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size and of the same brand, tread
pattern and total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are
inflated to the recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are
installed on the vehicle.
Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will
affect the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.

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Hill-start assist control
Hill-start assist control operating conditions
The system operates in the following situations:
• The shift position is in a position other than P.
• The parking brake is not applied.
• The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
Hill-start assist control cannot be operated while the slip indicator light
is illuminated.
Hill-start assist control helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling back-
wards when starting on an incline or slippery slope.
To engage hill-start assist
control, further depress the
brake pedal when the vehicle
is stopped completely.
A buzzer will sound once to
indicate the system is acti-
vated. The slip indicator will
also start flashing.

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Hill-start assist control
While hill-start assist control is operating, the brakes remain automati-
cally applied after the driver releases the brake pedal. The stop lights and
the high mounted stoplight turn on.
Hill-start assist control operates for about 2 seconds after the brake pedal
is released.
If the slip indicator does not flash and the buzzer does not sound when
the brake pedal is further depressed, slightly reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal (do not allow the vehicle to roll backward) and then firmly
depress it again. If the system still does not operate, check if the operat-
ing conditions explained above have been met.
Hill-start assist control buzzer
When hill-start assist control is activated, the buzzer will sound once.
In the following situations, hill-start assist control will be canceled and
the buzzer will sound twice.
• No attempt is made to drive the vehicle within approximately 2 sec-
onds of releasing the brake pedal.
• Push the P position switch.
• The parking brake is applied.
• The brake pedal is depressed again.
• The brake pedal has been depressed for more than approximately 3
minutes.
If the slip indicator comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.

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CAUTION
Hill-start assist control
Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may
not operate effectively on extremely steep inclines or roads covered in ice.
Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold
the vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to
use hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline for an
extended period of time, as doing so may lead to an accident.

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PCS (Pre-Crash Safety system)
: If equipped
When the radar sensor detects possibility of a frontal collision, the pre-
crash safety system such as the brakes and seat belts are automatically
engaged to lessen impact as well as vehicle damage.
Pre-crash seat belts (front seat belts only)
If the pre-crash sensor detects that a collision is unavoidable, the
pre-crash safety 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. 1 1 0 )
However, when the VSC system is disabled, the system will not
operate in the event of skidding.
Pre-crash 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.
Pre-crash braking
When there is a high possibility of a frontal collision, the system
warns the driver using a warning light, warning display and buzzer.
If the system determines that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes
are automatically applied to reduce the collision speed. Pre-crash
b ki b di bl d i h h b ki ff i h

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Disabling pre-crash braking
Pre-crash braking disabled
Pre-crash braking enabled
The “PCS” warning light will
turn on when pre-crash brak-
ing is disabled.
Radar sensor
The radar sensor detects vehi-
cles or other obstacles on or
near the road ahead and deter-
mines whether a collision is
imminent based on the position,
speed, and heading of the obsta-
cles.