head Lexus IS250 2008 Owner's Guide

112
2-1. Driving procedures
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
CAUTION
●Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The brake booster system will not operate properly if the engine is not running.
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. (→P. 1 2 3 )
●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing an accident.
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents that may
result in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are
not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not a AWD vehicle designed for real off-road driving. Proceed with all due
caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.
●Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage the
engine or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
●Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-shifting
or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in an accident.

137
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the vehi-
cle’s various systems.
Turn signal indicator
(
→P. 1 2 8 )(vehicles with
an automatic
transmission)
“ECT SNOW” indicator
(
→P. 1 2 3 )
Headlight high beam indi-
cator (
→P. 1 4 3 )(vehicles with
a manual
transmission)
“ETCS SNOW” indicator
(
→P. 1 2 6 )
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
(
→P. 1 4 3 )(vehicles with
an automatic
transmission)
“ECT PWR” indicator
(
→P. 1 2 3 )
(CANADA)
Tail light indicator
(
→P. 1 4 3 )
Cruise control indicator
(
→P. 1 5 2 )
Front fog light indicator
(
→P. 1 4 6 ) (if equipped)
“AFS OFF” indicator light
(
→P. 144)
(vehicles with an automatic trans-
mission)
Shift position and shift range indica-
tors (
→P. 122)
(if equipped)
Intuitive parking assist
indicator (
→P. 1 6 4 )
Slip indicator (→P. 171)
“VSC OFF” indicator
(
→P. 1 7 2 )
SRS airbag on-off indica-
tor (
→P. 9 0 )
*
*
*
*

143
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch
Turning on the high beam headlightsWith the headlights on, push the
lever forward to turn on the high
beams.
Pull the lever back to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
Pull the lever toward you to turn
on the high beams.
Release to turn them off. You can
flash the high beams with the head-
lights on or off.
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
The side marker, parking,
tail, license plate and
instrument panel lights
turn on.
The headlights and all
lights listed above turn
on.
The headlights and park-
ing lights turn on and off
automatically.
(When the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is
in IGNITION ON
mode) U.S.A.
CANADA

144
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
AFS (vehicles with discharge headlights)AFS (Adaptive Front—lighting System) improves visibility at intersections
and on curves by automatically adjusting the level of the headlights
according to vehicle speed and the degree of the tire angle that are con-
trolled by steering input.
Operates at speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher.
■ Deactivating AFS
How to switch: →P. 2 4 5
turns on when the AFS is deactivated.
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on automati-
cally (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the parking brake
is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
■Headlight control sensor
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.

145
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights comes on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after a door is opened and closed if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
has been switched to ACCESSORY mode or turned OFF. (The light turns off
immediately if on the key is pressed after all doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is switched to ACCESSORY mode or turned
OFF and driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the light switch
off once and then back to or .
■Automatic headlight leveling system (vehicles with discharge headlights)
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 flashes... (vehicles with discharge headlights)
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.
436)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.

146
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Fog light switch
The fog lights improve visibility in difficult driving conditions, such as in rain
or fog. They can be turned on only when the headlights are on low beam.
To turn the front fog lights off
To turn the front fog lights on

151
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Headlight cleaner switch (if equipped)
■The headlight cleaner can be operated when
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 use this function when the washer fluid tank is empty. This may cause the
washer fluid pump to overheat.
Washer fluid can be sprayed on the headlights.
Press the switch to clean the
headlights.

155
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Dynamic radar cruise control (if equipped)
Dynamic radar cruise control supplements conventional cruise control
with a vehicle-to-vehicle distance control. In the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control mode, the vehicle automatically accelerates or decelerates
in order to maintain a set following distance from vehicles ahead.
■ Select cruise mode
Selecting vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control modeTurn the “ON-OFF” button
on.
Push the button once more to
deactivate.
Selecting conventional con-
stant speed control mode Turn the “ON-OFF” button
on.
Push the button once more to
deactivate.
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol mode is always reset when
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch is switched to IGNITION
ON mode.
Switch to constant speed
control mode.
(push and hold for approxi-
mately one second)

157
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■Changing the vehicle- to-vehicle distance
Each push 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
switched to 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

158
2-4. Using other driving systems
08_IS350/250_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.
Example of follow-up cruising (when following a vehicle driving slower
than the set speed): When the speed is set to 62 mph (100 km/h) and
the vehicle ahead is driving at 50 mph (80 km/h)