Lexus ES350 2008 Owner's Manual

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When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
CAUTION
■Before using dynamic radar cruise control
Do not overly rely on vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Be aware of the set vehicle speed. If automatic deceleration/acceleration is not
appropriate, adjust the vehicle speed, as well as the distance between your vehicle
and vehicles ahead by applying the brakes, etc.
■To avoid inadvertent cruise control activation
Keep the ON-OFF button off when not in use.
■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 control of speed and could cause serious or
fatal accident.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow.
●Where there are sudden changes between sharp up and down gradients
●At entrances to expressways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors
from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, etc.)
●Where buzzer can be heard often

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CAUTION
■When the radar 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 prox-
imity alarm (→P. 373) will not be activated, and an 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
■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 an 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
■To ensure the radar sensor functions correctly
Do not do the following to the sensor or grille cover as doing so may cause the sen-
sor not to function correctly and could result in an accident.
●Stick or attach anything to them
●Leave them dirty
●Disassemble, subject them to strong shocks
●Modify or paint them
●Replace them with non-genuine parts

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ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Intuitive parking assist (if equipped)
The distance to obstacles measured by the sensors is communicated via
the multi-information display and a buzzer when parallel parking or
maneuvering into a garage. Always check the surrounding area when
using this system.
For vehicles equipped with a navigation system, refer to the separate
“Navigation System Owner’s Manual” for further details.
■Types of sensors
Front corner sensors
Rear corner sensors
Back sensors
■ Multi-information display ( →P. 1 2 8 )
Front corner sensor opera-
tion
Rear corner sensor operation
Back sensor operation

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The display and buzzer system■ Corner sensor operation displa y and distance to an obstacle
The system operates when the vehicle approaches within approxi-
mately 1.6 ft. (50 c m) of an obstacle.
Approximately 1.6 ft. (50 cm) to
1.2 ft. (37.5 cm) from the obsta-
cle
Approximately 1.2 ft. (37.5 cm)
to 0.8 ft. (25 cm) from the
obstacle
Flashing: Within 0.8 ft. (25 cm)
of the obstacle
■Intuitive parking assist switch
ON/OFF
When ON, an indicator on the
switch comes on to inform the
driver that the function is opera-
tional.

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ES350_U_(L/O_0708)■
Back sensor operation display and distance to an obstacle
The system operates when the vehicle approaches within approxi-
mately 4.9 ft. (150 cm) of an obstacle.
Approximately 4.9 ft. (150 cm) to
2.0 ft. (60 cm) from the obstacle
Approximately 2.0 ft. (60 cm) to
1.5 ft. (45 cm) from the obstacle
Approximately 1.5 ft. (45 cm) to
1.2 ft. (35 cm) from the obstacle
Flashing: Within 1.2 ft. (35 cm) of
the obstacle
■ Buzzer operation and di stance to the obstacle
A buzzer sounds when the corner sensors and back sensor are oper-
ating.
● The buzzer beeps faster as the vehicle approaches an obstacle.
When the vehicle comes within the following distance of the obsta-
cle, the buzzer sounds continuously.
•Corner sensors: Approximately 0.8 ft. (25 cm)
• Back sensors: Approximately 1.2 ft. (35 cm)
● When two or more obstacles are detected simultaneously, the
buzzer system responds to the nearest obstacle.
● If multiple obstacles are detected within 0.8 ft. (25 cm) in front and
behind the vehicle at the same time, the warning buzzer will change
in the following manner:
• If a continuous beep is sounding, and a new obstacle is detected
near a different area of the vehicle, the warning buzzer will sound
6 beeps then one continuous beep.
• If a continuous beep is sounding, and a new obstacle is detected within 0.8 ft. (25 cm) of a different area of the vehicle, the warn-
ing buzzer will sound 2 beeps then one continuous beep.

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Detection range of the sensorsApproximately 1.6 ft. (50 cm)
Approximately 4.9 ft. (150 cm)
Approximately 1.6 ft. (50 cm)
The diagram shows the detection
range of the sensors. Note that the
sensors cannot detect obstacles
that are extremely close to the
vehicle.
The range of the sensors may
change depending on the shape of
the object etc.

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ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
■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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■When the display flashes and a message is displayed
→P. 3 7 3
■Certification (Canada only)
This ISM device compiles with Canadian ICES-001.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. buzzer volume) can be changed. (Customizable features →P. 4 3 3 )
CAUTION
■Caution when using the intuitive parking assist
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely and possi-
bly cause an accident.
●Do not use the sensor at speeds in excess of 6 mph (10 km/h).
●Do not attach any accessories within the sensor range.
NOTICE
■Notes when washing the vehicle
Do not apply intensive bursts of water or steam to the sensor area.
Doing so may result in the sensor malfunctioning.

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ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Driving assist systems
When the VSC and TRAC systems are operatingIf the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, or if the front wheels spin, the
slip indicator light flashes to indi-
cate that the VSC and TRAC sys-
tems have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC is operating.
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are suppl ementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Restrains the vehicle from slipping when driving on slick road surfaces or
in the event of sudden braking.
■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.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the front wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
→ P. 1 6 0

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■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC and TRAC systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. 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 operat-
ing. 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.
CAUTION
Any of the following conditions may result in an accident which could cause death or
serious injury:
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded.
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick road.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating will exceed that of normal condi-
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situations.
●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 roads with uneven roads
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.