LEXUS LS430 2006 Owners Manual

135
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■To avoid accidentally engaging the cruise control
Keep the ON-OFF switch OFF when not in use.
■To avoid death or serious injury
The following conditions are unsuitable for cruise control use:
• In bad weather (rain, fog, sno
w, sandstorms, etc.)
• If the wipers are operated at high speed (radar cruise control), or at high or low spe
eds (laser cruise control.) This includes when the wiper lever is set to the
“AUTO” position.
• In heavy traffic.
• On roads with sharp bends.
• On slippery road surfaces.
• On steep downhill slopes.
• When the warning tone sounds frequently.
• On roads with steep, short inclines and declines.
• When exiting from, or when ente ri
ng or merging onto a freeway.
■When using the dynamic radar/laser cruise control
Always drive carefully and attentively.
Do not rely on the system to avoid accidents or control the vehicle’s speed in emer -
gency situations. The cruise control is not a collision-av
oidance system.
■Conditions which hinder the radar cruise control's vehicle detection capability
●The rear section of the vehicle ahead is extremely small (unloaded trailer etc.)
●The vehicle ahead or other vehicles are flinging up water or snow.
●Heavy luggage in your trunk or on your rear seats causes the nose of your vehicle
to rise.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■Conditions which hinder the laser cruise control’s vehicle detection capability
A delay in detection of a vehicle may occur in the following situations. You must
ap
ply the brakes manually to avoid accidents.
• The vehicle ahead has higher ground clearance, meaning the reflectors are in a higher position
.
• The rear section of the vehicle ahead is extremely dirty.
• Surrounding vehicles are fl in
ging up water or snow.
• Your front view is obscured by excessive exhaust smoke.
• Protective film is attached to the reflectors of the vehicle ahead, or they are d
amaged.
• Reflectors are not installed on the vehicle ahead.
• Heavy luggage in your trunk or on your r
ear seats causes the nose of your vehi-
cle to rise.
• A vehicle cuts in at short range.
• A motorcycle is traveling along the side of the same lane
■To ensure the radar/laser cruise control system functions correctly
●Keep the radar sensor and grille cover/la ser sensor glass clean. When cleaning,
use a soft cloth and be careful not to damage the sensor or grille cover.
●Avoid strong impacts around the sensor, as incorrect sensor alignment will result
in system malfunction. A special device is required to adjust the sensor alignment.
See your Lexus dealer for adjustment.
●Do not disassemble the sensor.
●Do not affix stickers (including transparent stickers), or attach accessories
around the sensor or grille cover/sensor glass.
●Do not modify or paint the grille cover. When replacing the cover, be sure to use
a genuine Lexus cover. *
* Vehicles equipped with the radar cruise control only.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Approach warning
The system warns you to apply the brakes manuall
y to slow down, helping to ensure
that sufficient vehicle-to-vehicle distance is maintained.
Be careful of slow moving or stationary ve hi
cles or objects when traveling at high
speeds, e.g. vehicles at the end of the line in heavy traffic or at tollgates.
■The approach warning may not activate in the following situations
●Your vehicle and the vehicle ahead are cruising at almost the same speed.
●The vehicle ahead is cruising at a faster speed than yours.
●Immediately after setting the speed.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed, or immediately after release of the accelera -
tor pedal.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
Electronically modulated air suspension
The vehicle adjusts the action of the shock absorbers and maintains vehicle
height automatically in response to driving conditions to help provide
enhanced driving comfort and vehicle control.
■ Vehicle height adjustment
Vehicle’s height is maintained at the se lected le
vel regardless of the num-
ber of occupants and luggage weight.
High
Normal
■ D
amping mode selection
You can select the damping mo de of the shock absorbers.
Sport
Indicator light comes on.
Normal
1
2
1
2

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
■High mode
●This mode is suitable for driving on gravel or bumpy roads.
●“Height Hi” appears on multi-information display when the high mode selected.
●The vehicle adjusts its height between high and normal depending on driving
conditions.
●The damping mode is set slightly firmer in the high mode so you may feel more
road vibration compared to the normal mode. This is not a malfunction.
■Normal mode
●This mode suitable for driving on roads with a normal surface.
●The height remains at normal height at all driving speeds.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
Driver assist systems
When VSC or TRAC is operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping or the rear wheels spin, the
slip indicator ligh t flash to indicate
that the s

ystems have been
engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds
when VSC is operating.
To help enhance improve vehicle safety, the following systems operate auto-
matically in certain driving conditions.
■ ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Help ensure steering performance in th e event of sudden braking or driving
on slippery road surfaces.
■ BA (Brake Assist)
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
pushed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding wh en swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps maintain drive power and prevents spinning the rear wheels when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Pre-collision system (if equipped)
( P. 1 4 3 )

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
To disable VSC and TRAC
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, VSC and TRAC may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn VSC
and TRAC off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free the vehi-
cle.
Push the button to turn off VSC
and TRAC.
The TRAC OFF indicator light
turns on.
Push the button again to turn the
sy
stem back on.
1
■Operating sounds and vibrations caus ed by the ABS, VSC & TRAC 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 ABS, VSC and TRAC sys -
tems are operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• A sound may be heard.
• 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 while the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move forward slightly after the ABS is activated.
■Failure warning for VSC or TRAC system
If an error in the VSC or TRAC systems is
detected, the master warning light and
TRAC OFF indicator light comes on, a warning tone sounds. (P.334 )

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2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
Any of the following conditions may result in-an accident which could cause death
or serious injury:
■The ABS may not operate effectively when:
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded.
●If the vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed while the road is wet or
slick.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is activated will exceed that of normal condi -
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the v
ehicle’s stopping distance. Always main -
tain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, particularly in the
fo
llowing 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
• When towing a trailer
■TRAC may not operate effectively when:
Directional control and power may not be ac hi
evable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating. 
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where control and power may be lost.
■When the slip indicator flashe s and a warning buzzer sounds
This situation occurs immediately before VSC is activated. Always drive carefully.
R
eckless driving may cause an at the recommended level. 
Exercise particular care when an indicator light flashes and a buzzer sounds.
■Replacing tires
Ensure that all tires are the same size an d
brand, have the same tread pattern, and
that the level of tire pressure is at the recommended level. 
The ABS and VSC systems may not operate no rmal
ly if different tires are installed
to the vehicle. 
Contact your Lexus dealer for further info rmati
on when replacing tires or wheels.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
Pre-collision system (if equipped)
■The pre-collision system may not operate effectively in the following situations:
●When traveling through a curve with objects on the edge of the road.
●When traveling through a curve with another vehicle passing in the opposite
direction.
●Narrow iron bridges.
●Metallic objects on the road.
●A steel plate on the road (e.g., at a construction site).
●When waiting to turn to the left in an in tersection with another vehicle passing in
the opposite direction.
●If your vehicle approaches another vehicle ahead very quickly.
The vehicle reacts to a frontal collision the instant before it happens using fol-
lowing components.
■ Pre-collision sensor
Uses the radar to detect possible obst acles ahead. Sensors then determine in
advance whether a crash is unavoidable.
■ Pre-collision seat belts (Front seat belts only)
Helps enhance their restraint performance by quickly retracting if an acci -
dent is calculated to be inevitable.
■ Pre-collision brake assist system
Once an accident is calculated to be inevitable, increased braking force will
be applied once the brake pedal is pressed.
■ Electronically modulated air suspension control
Once an accident is calculated to be inevitable, the vehicle adjusts the damp -
ing action of the shock absorbers to help keep the vehicle level.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■Pre-collision system limitations
●The Pre-Collision System is designed to help reduce the crash speed and dam-
age in certain frontal collisions only. It is not a collision avoidance system and is
no
t a substitute for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on
many factors, such as speed, dr iver input and road conditions.
●The sensor is able to detect objects in front of the vehicle within 10 degrees on
either side. If the object is out of range, or there is little to no millimeter wave
reflection, the sensor will not detect the object.
●Even if the system is operative in a collisio n, unless the seat belts are worn and the
brake pedal is depressed, the pre-collision seat belts and brake assist system will
operate.
■Failure Warning
If an error is detected, the master warn i
ng light comes on, a warning tone sounds
and the following warning message appears on the multi-information display.
(  P.334 )