Start Lexus GS350 2011 Workshop Manual

157
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
GS_G_U (OM30C11U)
October 28, 2011 5:15 pm
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after all doors are closed if the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch has been switched to ACCESSORY mode or
turned OFF while the headlights are turned on. (The lights turn off immediately if
the button on the key is pressed after all doors are locked.)
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
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...
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 6 1 9 )
NOTICE
■To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is off.
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 system to malfunction.

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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
GS_G_U (OM30C11U)
October 28, 2011 5:15 pm
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■Dripping prevention wiper sweep
After washing and wiping operation several times, the wipers operate one more
time after a short delay to prevent dripping.
However, the last sweep will not happen if the vehicle is traveling above 106 mph
(170 km/h).
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the following even when the wipers are not “AUTO” mode.
●Intermittent wiper interval ( mode)
●Wiper operation when the washer is being used (delay until drip prevention
wiper sweep occurs)
With selected, wiper operation will be switched from low speed to intermit-
tent wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
■Rain drop sensor (vehicles equipped with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●If the wiper switch is turned to the “AUTO” position while the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode, the wipers will operate once to show
that “AUTO” mode is activated.
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 167°F (75°C) or higher, or 14°F
(-10°C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate the
wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”.
●The raindrop sensor judges the amount of
raindrops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are
present on the windshield.

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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
GS_G_U (OM30C11U)
October 28, 2011 5:15 pm
Headlight cleaner switch∗
■The headlight cleaner can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode and the headlight
switch is turned ON.
NOTICE
■When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do not press the switch continually, as the washer fluid pump may overheat.
∗: If equipped
Washer fluid can be sprayed on the headlights.
Press the switch to clean the
headlights.

171
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_G_U (OM30C11U)
October 28, 2011 5:15 pm
■Selecting conventional cons tant speed control mode
Press the “ON-OFF” button
to activate the cruise control.
Press the button once more to
deactivate the cruise control.
Switch to constant speed
control mode.
(Push the lever away from
you and hold for approxi-
mately 1 second.)
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol mode is always reset when
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch is switched to IGNITION
ON mode.
■Adjusting the speed setting
Increase speed
Decrease speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is displayed.
In the constant speed control
mode, fine adjustment of the set
speed can be made by lightly
pressing the lever up or down
and releasing it.

172
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U (OM30C11U)
October 28, 2011 5:15 pm
■Canceling and resuming the speed setting
Cancel
Pull the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The setting is also canceled
when the brake pedal is
depressed.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push the
lever up.
■Changing the vehicle- to-vehicle distance
Each pull of the switch changes
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
Long
Medium
Short
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance
is automatically set to the long
mode when the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is set to
the IGNITION ON mode.
A mark will be displayed to indi-
cate the presence of the vehicle
if a vehicle is running ahead of
you.
Preceding
vehicle mark

190
2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U (OM30C11U)
October 28, 2011 5:15 pm
■The intuitive parking assist can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in the IGNITION ON mode.
■When the system malfunctions
●If a malfunction occurs and no obstacles have been detected, a warning is dis-
played, and a malfunction beep sounds for 7 seconds.
If an obstacle has been detected, or another malfunction occurs in a different
sensor, the malfunction beeps will not sound.
●In the following circumstances the displayed warning will disappear:
• If you switch the screen to a different mode.
• If you turn off the intuitive parking assist main switch.
• If the vehicle speed exceeds 6 mph (10 km/h). Once the vehicle speed dropsbelow 6 mph (10 km/h), the warning will be displayed again.
●If the malfunction screen is displayed, the detection range of the dual sensors is
shortened. In this case, the necessity for obstacle evasion (whether the obstacle
will come within 0.8 ft. [25 cm] of the vehicle or not) will not be calculated.
■When using the intuitive parking assist
●The sensors’ detection areas and reaction times are limited. When moving for-
ward or reversing, check the areas surrounding the vehicle (especially the sides
of the vehicle) for safety, and drive slowly, using the brake to control the vehicle’s
speed.
• The sensors’ detection areas are limited to the areas around the vehicle’s frontand rear bumpers.
• Depending on the shape of the obstacle and other factors, the detection dis-
tance may shorten, or detection may be impossible.
• There will be a short delay between obstacle detection and display. Even at slow speeds, there is a possibility that the obstacle will come within 0.8 ft. (25
cm) of the vehicle before the display is shown and the warning beep sounds.
• Braking distance may differ according to the road conditions (rain, gravel etc.).
• It might be difficult to hear beeps due to the volume of audio system or air flow noise of air conditioning system.
• For long obstacles such as walls, the obstacle warning may change as the obstacle gets closer.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_G_U (OM30C11U)
October 28, 2011 5:15 pm
Driving assist systems
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 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.
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the rear wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at maxi-
mum.
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■Active stabilizer suspensi on system (if equipped)
Reduces sway when cornering according to steering wheel movement
and the selected suspension damping mode, in order to maintain a stable
vehicle posture.
■PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
→ P. 2 0 6

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2-4. Using other driving systems
GS_G_U (OM30C11U)
October 28, 2011 5:15 pm
When the Enhanced VSC/TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are
operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, rolling backwards when
starting on an incline, or if the rear
wheels (2WD models) or all
wheels (4WD models) spin, the
slip indicator light flashes to indi-
cate that the Enhanced VSC/
TRAC/hill-start assist control sys-
tems have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that Enhanced VSC is
operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-start
assist control system is operating.
GS460: The slip indicator lightflashes as well when
ABS is operating.
■VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering) (GS460)
Adjusts the wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed and
steering wheel movement.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, Enhanced VSC, TRAC, hill-start
assist control, VGRS (GS460) and EPS systems.
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling the brakes, engine output, and the movement of the
front wheels.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GS_G_U (OM30C11U)
October 28, 2011 5:15 pm
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and Enhanced VSC
Turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF after turning off the TRAC and
Enhanced VSC systems will automatically re-enable them.
■Automatic TRAC reactivation
If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when the vehi-
cle speed increases.
■Automatic TRAC and Enhanced VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and Enhanced VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on
even when the vehicle speed increases.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, Enhanced VSC, TRAC,
hill-start assist control and VGRS (GS460) 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.
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
This system comes into operation under the following conditions after the brake
pedal has been depressed and the vehicle has come to a stop:
●The shift lever is in the “D” or “S”.
●The system has detected that the vehicle is moving backwards.
●GS350: The brake pedal is not depressed.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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October 28, 2011 5:15 pm
■Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS 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 engine off. The system should return to normal about
10 minutes.
■GS460: VGRS is disabled in the following situations
●During stopping or the steering wheel has been moved for a long time while
driving at lower speeds.
●After the engine is restarted at less than -22°F (-30°C).
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 a 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 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 is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.