lexus LFA 2012 Owner's Manual / LEXUS 2012 LFA OWNERS MANUAL (OM77006U)

159
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
■Daytime running light system (Canada only)
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights and tail lights turn
on automatically whenever the engine is started and the parking brake is released.
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after a door is opened and closed if the ignition switch is turned to the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position. (The light turns off immediately if on the key is pressed
after both side doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and the driver’s door is
opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position, or turn the
light switch to once and then back to or
.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.

160
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Windshield wipers and washer
The wiper operation is selected by moving the lever as follows.
Off
Intermittent windshield wiper
operation
Low speed windshield wiper
operation
High speed windshield wiper
operation
Temporary operation
Increases the intermittent wind-
shield wiper frequency
Decreases the intermittent
windshield wiper frequency
Washer/wiper dual operation
The wipers operate automatically.
(After operating several times, the
wipers operate one more time
after a short delay to prevent drip-
ping.)
With the headlight cleaners:
If the headlights are on, the head-
light cleaners will operate once.

161
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
■The windshield wipers and wa sher can be operated when
The ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
The time until the drip prevention wiper sweep occurs is changed depending on
vehicle speed.
When low speed wiper operation is selected , wiper operation will be switched from
low speed to intermittent wiper operatio n only when the vehicle is stationary.
(However, when the intermittent wiper interv al adjuster is adjusted to the highest
level, the mode will not switch.)
■Wiper reverse motion
If snow or similar substances build up around the windshield and prevent the wiper
from moving smoothly, the wiper may reverse direction before the end of its stroke
in order to secure driver vi sibility and to protect the system. This is normal and does
not indicate a malfunction.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
■Lifting the wiper
Activate the wiper and turn the ignition
switch to the “LOCK” position when the
wiper approaches the upper reverse position.
The wiper will stop moving.
Lift and hold the main and sub blades. The blades will not remain in the up posi-
tion if released.STEP1
STEP2

162
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
■If there is a system malfunction
“Check wiper system” will be shown on the meter. (P. 325)
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled toward you
and held continually.
■Lifting the wiper
Make sure that the wiper is stopped near the
upper reverse position.
Do not lift up the wiper if it is in the retracted
position, because the wiper blade or front pil-
lar fin may be damaged.

163
2
When driving
2-4.Using other driving systems
Rear view monitor system
The rear view monitor assists the driver by displaying an image of the area
behind the vehicle while reversing. The image displayed on the screen is the
same as the image reflected in the rear view mirror.
The rear view image is displayed
when Reverse is selected.
If the gear is shifted out of Reverse,
the screen returns to the previous
one.
■Displayed area
The area covered by the camera is limited.
Objects that are close to either corner of the
bumper or under the bumper cannot be seen
on the screen.
The area displayed on the screen may vary
depending on vehicle orientation or road
conditions.
Corners of bumper
: If equipped

164
2-4. Using other driving systems
■Rear view monitor camera
■Smear effect
■Flicker effect
When the camera is used under fluorescent light, sodium lights, or mercury lights
etc., the lights and the illuminated areas may appear to flicker.
In the following cases, it may be difficult to
see images on the screen even when the sys-
tem is functioning correctly:
●The vehicle is in a dark area, such as at
night.
●The temperature near the lens is extremely
high or low.
●Water droplets are on the camera lens or
humidity is high, such as when it rains.
●Foreign matter, such as snow and mud,
adheres to the camera lens.
●When the camera has scratches or dirt on
it.
●The sun or headlights are shining directly
into the camera lens.
If a bright light, such as sunlight reflected off
the vehicle body, is picked up by the camera,
a smear effect* characteristic to the camera
may occur.
*: Smear effectA phenomenon that
occurs when a bright light is picked up by
the camera; when transmitted by the cam-
era, the light source appears to have a ver-
tical streak above and below it.

165
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■When using the rear view monitor system
Observe the following precautions to avoid an accident that could result in death or
serious injuries:
●Never depend solely on the monitor system when reversing.
●Always check visually and with the mirrors to confirm your intended path is clear.
●Depicted distances between objects and flat surfaces differ from actual dis-
tances.
■Conditions which may affect the rear view monitor system
●If the back of the vehicle has been hit, the camera’s position and mounting angle
may have changed. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
●Rapid temperature changes, such as when hot water is poured on the vehicle in
cold weather, may cause the system to function abnormally.
●If the camera lens is dirty, it cannot transmit a clear image. Rinse with water and
wipe with a soft cloth. If the camera lens is extremely dirty, wash with a mild
cleanser and rinse.
●The displayed image may be darker and mo ving images may be slightly distorted
when the system is cold.
NOTICE
■Camera precautions
●As the camera has a water proof constr uction, do not detach, disassemble or
modify it. This may cause incorrect operation.
●Do not allow organic solvent, car wax, window cleaner or glass coat to adhere to
the camera. If this happens, wipe it off as soon as possible.
●If a power washer is used for washing the vehicle, do not point it at or near the
camera as doing so may damage the camera.
●Do not use too much force when cleaning the camera lens.

166
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
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.
■ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the br akes 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 de tects 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)
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 reduce the vehicle’s rolling backward distance 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.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC, and hill-
start assist control systems.
Helps to maintain vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces
by controlling the brakes and engine output.
When switched to SPORT driving mode, the control characteristics of the
VDIM system are altered.
■ Active rear wing
 P. 1 7 1

167
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
When the ABS/VSC/TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are operating
The slip indicator flashes to indi-
cate that the ABS/VSC/TRAC/
hill-start assist control systems are
operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-start
assist control system is operating.
Disabling the VSC/TRAC systemsIf the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, VSC/TRAC 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.
Press the switch to turn off VSC
and TRAC.
The VSC off indicator light and
“TRAC OFF” indicator light should
come on.
Press the switch again to turn the
systems back on.

168
2-4. Using other driving systems
■Hill-start assist control operation conditions
●The vehicle rolls backward.
●A forward gear is selected.
●The brake pedal is not depressed.
■Automatic reactivation of the VSC/TRAC systems
If the VSC/TRAC systems are turned off, re-starting the engine will automatically
reactivate them.
■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 if the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly 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.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound may be heard. This does not
indicate a malfunction.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from over-
heating when there is frequent steering in put 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 EPS system should
return to normal within 10 minutes.
■If the slip indicator comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the VSC, TRAC or hill-start assist control system.
Contact your Lexus dealer.