sensor Lexus ES350 2008 User Guide

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When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles
within 328 ft. (100 m) ahead and to judge the distance between your
vehicle and those vehicles.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close when traveling on long down-
hill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising (when there are no vehicles
ahead): When set to 62 mph (100 km/h)
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
switch.
Example of deceleration cruising (when the vehicle ahead is driving
slower than the set speed): When fixed speed cruising is set at 62 mph
(100 km/h) and the vehicle ahead is driving at 50 mph (80 km/h)
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, in the same lane, the sys-
tem automatically decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in
vehicle speed is necessary, the system applies the brakes. A warning tone
warns you when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your
vehicle from closing on the vehicle ahead.

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When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
■Automatically canceling vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving is automatically canceled in the follow-
ing situations.
●Vehicle speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h)
●VSC is activated
●The sensor cannot operate correctly because it is covered in some way.*
●The windshield wipers are operating at high speed.*
*
: Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving must be reset by turning the ON-OFF button on again.
If vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving is automatically canceled for any other
reason, there may be a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Automatically cancelling constant speed control
The set speed is automatically canceled in the following situations.
●Actual vehicle speed is more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset vehicle
speed
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Vehicle speed falls below 25 mph (40 km/h)
●VSC is activated
■Vehicle-to-vehicle distance settings
Select a distance from the table below. Note that the distances shown correspond
to a vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). Vehicle-to-vehicle distance increases/
decreases in accordance with vehicle speed.
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 210 ft. (65 m)
MediumApproximately 150 ft. (45 m)
ShortApproximately 100 ft. (30 m)

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■Radar sensor and grille cover
Always keep the sensor and grille cover clean to ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control operates properly. (Some obstructions, such as snow, ice or plastic
objects, cannot be detected by the obstruction sensor.)
Dynamic radar cruise control is canceled if an obstruction is detected.
■CertificationFor vehicles sold in USA
For vehicles sold in Canada Grille cover
Radar sensor
FCC WARNING
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
FCC RF exposure information
This device complies with the FCC RF exposure requirements.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions;
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation of the device.

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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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■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