Vsc Lexus IS250 2008 Owner's Manual

08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
14
Pictorial indexInstrument panel
With navigation system Without navigation system
Telephone switch*
Cruise control switch P. 152, 155
Distance switch ∗
P. 155
“DISP” switch P. 140
Talk switch*
“DISP” switch P. 140
Distance switch ∗
P. 155
Cruise control switch P. 152, 155
Automatic transmission Manual transmission
TRAC/VSC OFF
switch
∗ P. 172
ECT switch P. 123
TRAC/VSC OFF
switch
∗ P. 172
ETCS switch P. 126
B
C

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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 )
*
*
*
*

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■Cruise control can be set when
●The shift lever is in the D or 4, 5 or 6 range of S. (vehicles with an automatic
transmission)
●Vehicle speed is between approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) and 125 mph
(200 km/h).
■Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally.
■Automatic cruise control cancellation
The set speed is automatically cancelled in any of the following situations.
●Actual vehicle speed falls more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset vehicle
speed
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Actual vehicle speed is below 25 mph (40km/h)
●VSC is activated
■Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Push the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied or the clutch (manual
transmission) is depressed.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push the
lever up.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
The system continues follow-up cruising while adjusting for changes in the
speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance set by the driver.
Example of acceleration (when there are no longer vehicles driving
slower than the set speed in the lane ahead): Wh en the speed is set to
62 mph (100 km/h) and the vehicle ahead driving at 50 mph (80
km/h) is out of the lane
When the vehicle ahead of you executes a lane change, the system slowly
accelerates until the set vehicle speed is reached. The system then returns to
fixed speed cruising.
■Dynamic radar cruise control warning lights, messages and buzzers
Warning lights, messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or
to alert you to the need for caution while driving. (
→P. 3 6 9 )
■The dynamic radar cruise can be set when
●The shift lever is in D or the 4, 5 or 6 range of S.
●Vehicle speed is between approximately 30 mph (45 km/h) and 85 mph (135
km/h).
■Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally.
■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.
●The “ECT SNOW” switch is set to snow mode.
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.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■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.
■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.
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 164 ft. (50 m)
MediumApproximately 132 ft. (40 m)
ShortApproximately 100 ft. (30 m)
Grille cover
Radar sensor

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2-4. Using other driving systems
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
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)
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 rear wheels (2WD models) or all
wheels (AWD models) from spinning wh en starting the vehicle or acceler-
ating on slippery roads.
■ Hill-start assist control (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an incline or
slippery slope.
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
When the VSC/TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are operatingIf the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, rolling backwards when
starting on an incline, or if the rear
wheels (2WD) or 4 wheels
(AWD) spin, the slip indicator light
flashes to indicate that the VSC/
TRAC/hill-start assist control sys-
tems have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC is operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-start
assist control system is operating.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) (IS350)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC, hill-start
assist control, and EPS systems.
Maintains vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes and engine output.
■PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
→P. 1 76

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To disable TRAC and/or VSCIf the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC and VSC may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn the
system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
■ Turning off TRAC
Quickly push and release the but-
ton to turn off TRAC.
The slip indicator light should come
on.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.
■Turning off TRAC and VSC
Push and hold the button for more
than 3 seconds while the vehicle is
stopped to turn off TRAC and
VSC.
The slip indicator light and “VSC
OFF” indicator light should come
on.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.

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When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC
Turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF after turning off the TRAC and
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 vehicle
speed increases.
■Automatic TRAC and VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on even when
vehicle speed increases.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and hill-start
assist control 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.

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08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
CAUTION
■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.
■If hill-start assist control does not operate effectively
(vehicles with an automatic transmission)
The hill-start assist control may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads
covered in ice.
■When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes and a warning buzzer sounds. Always drive carefully.
Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indica-
tor light flashes and a buzzer sounds.
■When TRAC and VSC are off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As
there are systems to ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn off TRAC
and VSC unless necessary.
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire
pressure level.
The ABS and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are fitted on
the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect the driv-
ing assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.