Lexus GS350 2016 Owner's Manual

GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)
3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
The Blind Spot Monitor function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles that are
traveling in an adjacent lane in the area that is not reflected in the outside rear
view mirror (the blind spot), and advises the driver of the vehicle’s existence via
the outside rear view mirror indicator.
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of the detection area
extends to:
Approximately 11.5 ft. (3.5 m) from
the side of the vehicle
The first 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from the side of
the vehicle is not in the detection area
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from the
rear bumper
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) forward
of the rear bumper
The Blind Spot Monitor function
The Blind Spot Monitor function detection areas
1
2
3
WA R N I N G
■Cautions regarding the use of the system
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
The Blind Spot Monitor function is a supp lementary function which alerts the driver
that a vehicle is present in the blind spot. Do not overly rely on the Blind Spot Monitor
function. The function cannot judg e if it is safe to change lanes, therefore over reliance
could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
According to conditions, the system may not function correctly. Therefore the driver’s
own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

302
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■The Blind Spot Monitor function is operational when
●The BSM function is turned on.
●Vehicle speed is greater than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h).
■The Blind Spot Monitor function will detect a vehicle when
●A vehicle in an adjacent lane overtakes your vehicle.
●Another vehicle enters the detection area when it changes lanes.
■Conditions under which the Blind Spot Monitor function will not detect a vehicle
The Blind Spot Monitor function is not designed to detect the following types of vehicles
and/or objects:
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.*
●Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehi
cles and similar stationary objects*
●Following vehicles that are in the same lane*
●Vehicles driving 2 lanes across from your vehicle*
*
: Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■Conditions under which the Bl ind Spot Monitor function may not function correctly
●The Blind Spot Monitor function may not dete ct vehicles correctly in the following con-
ditions:
• During bad weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow etc.
• When ice or mud etc. is attached to the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet due to rain, standing water etc.
• When there is a significant difference in speed between your vehicle and the vehicle that enters the detection area
• When a vehicle is in the detection area from a stop and remains in the detection
area as your vehicle accelerates
• When driving up or down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, a dip in the road
etc.
• When multiple vehicles approach with only a small gap between each vehicle
• When vehicle lanes are wide, and the vehicl e in the next lane is too far away from
your vehicle
• When the vehicle that enters the detection area is traveling at about the same speed as your vehicle
• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and the vehicle
that enters the detection area
• Directly after the BSM function is turned on
●Instances of the Blind Spot Monitor function unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/or
object may increase under the following conditions:
• When there is only a short distance between your vehicle and a guardrail, wall etc.
• When there is only a short distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle
• When vehicle lanes are narrow and a vehicle driving 2 lanes across from your vehi-
cle enters the detection area
• When items such as a bicycle carrier ar e installed on the rear of the vehicle

GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)
3034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert functions when your vehicle is in reverse. It can
detect other vehicles approaching from the right or left rear of the vehicle. It uses
radar sensors to alert the driver of the other vehicle’s existence through flashing
the outside rear view mirror indicators and sounding a buzzer.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function
Approaching vehiclesDetection areas
WA R N I N G
■Cautions regarding the use of the system
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is only an assist and is not a replacement for care-
ful driving. The driver must be careful when backing up, even when using the Rear
Cross Traffic Alert function. The driver’s ow n visual confirmation of behind you and
your vehicle is necessary and be sure ther e are no pedestrians, other vehicles etc.
before backing up. Failure to do so could cause death or serious injury.
According to conditions, the system may not function correctly. Therefore the driver’s
own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.
12

304
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
To give the driver a more consistent time to react, the buzzer can alert for faster
vehicles from farther away.
Example:
■The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is operational when
●The BSM function is turned on.
●The shift lever is in R.
●Vehicle speed is less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
●Approaching vehicle speed is between ap
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) and 18 mph
(28 km/h).
■Conditions under which the Rear Cross Traffi c Alert function will not detect a vehicle
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is no t designed to detect the following types of
vehicles and/or objects.
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.*
●Vehicles approaching from directly behind
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehi cles and similar stationary objects*
●Vehicles moving away from your vehicle
●Vehicles approaching from the parking spaces next to your vehicle*
●Vehicles backing up in the parking space next to your vehicle*
*
: Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function detection areas
Approaching vehicleSpeedApproximate
alert distance
Fast18 mph (28 km/h)65 ft. (20 m)
Slow5 mph (8 km/h)18 ft. (5.5 m)
1

GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)
3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Conditions under which the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may not function cor-
rectly
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may not detect vehicles correctly in the following
conditions:
●During bad weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow etc.
●When ice or mud etc. is attached to the rear bumper
●When multiple vehicles approach continuously
●Shallow angle parking
●When a vehicle is approaching at high speed
●When parking on a steep incline, su ch as hills, a dip in the road etc.
●Directly after the BSM function is turned on
●When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehicle
●Directly after the engine is started with the BSM function is turned on
●When the sensors cannot detect vehicles
because of obstacles

306
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
TVD (Torque Vectoring Differential) (GS F)
With the engine switch in IGNITION
ON mode, pressing the TVD switch
changes the TVD control mode.
The current TVD control mode will be
displayed on the meters.
STANDARD mode
This is the default mode and provides
an optimum balance of driving agility
and stability.
SLALOM mode
This mode emphasizes enhanced
steering response.
TRACK mode
This mode emphasizes stability for
high speed sporty driving.
The multi-information display shows the distribution of driving force between the
right and left rear wheels. (
P. 113)
The TVD system distributes driving force (torque) between the right and left
rear wheels automatically. This syst em contributes to enhanced steering
response while cornering and increased traction when exiting a corner, pro-
viding an agile driving experience.
Changing TVD control modes
1
2
3
TVD control status on the multi-information display

GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)
3074-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Automatic cancelation of the selected TVD control mode
SLALOM and TRACK mode are canceled when the engine switch is turned off. When
the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, the TVD system will be in STAN-
DARD mode.
■Automatic disabling of the TVD system
If a malfunction is detected in the TVD system, a warn ing message will be displayed on
the multi-information display ( P. 459) and the TVD system will be disabled automati-
cally. If the system is disabled, driving force will not be distributed by the TVD but through
normal differential operation.
■To protect the system
If the TVD fluid temperature becomes excessively high due to driving for a long time
under extremely high load conditions, a warn ing message will be displayed on the multi-
information display. ( P. 4 5 9 )
WA R N I N G
■Cautions regarding the use of the system
The driver is solely responsible for safe driv ing. Do not overly rely on the TVD system.
Always drive safely, taking care to observe your surroundings.

308
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving assist systems
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if the
brakes are applied while drivin
g 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
◆Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling steering performance.
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an
incline.
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems oper-
ate 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.

GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)
3094-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
◆VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering) (if equipped)
Adjusts the front wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed
and steering wheel movement
◆DRS (Dynamic Rear Steering) (if equipped)
Contributes to the turning characteristics and responsiveness of the vehicle
by slightly adjusting the rear wheel angle of the vehicle in accordance with
steering wheel movement
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn the
steering wheel
◆AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension system) (if equipped)
By independently controlling the dampin g force of the shock absorbers for
each of the 4 wheels according to the road and driving conditions, this system
helps riding comfort with superior st eering stability, and helps good vehicle
posture
When SPORT S+ mode is selected by the driving mode select switch, the
damping force is suitable for sporty driving ( P. 2 9 3 )
◆LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handling system) (if equipped)
Provides independent control of th e VGRS, DRS and EPS. Contributes to
turning characteristics at low speeds, responsiveness at medium speeds and
safety at high speeds by controlling the steering angle of the front and rear
wheels in accordance with the steering wheel operation and vehicle speed
◆VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC, hill-start
assist control, EPS, VGRS (if equi pped) and DRS (if equipped) systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, engine output, steering assist, and steering ratio and
rear wheel angle

310
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E86U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
The slip indicator light will flash while
the TRAC/VSC systems are operating.
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC system may reduce
power from the engine to the wheels. Pressing to turn the system off may
make it easier for rock the vehicle in order to free it.
When the TRAC/VSC systems are operating
Disabling the TRAC system
GS350/GS200tGS F