Lexus RX (RX 350L, RX450h) 2016-2024 Owners Manual: Intelligent Clearance Sonar function

If the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function detects that a collision with a wall or other stationary object is possible, the hybrid system output will be restricted to restrain any increase in the vehicle speed. (Hybrid system output restriction control: See A below.) Additionally, if the accelerator pedal continues to be depressed, the brakes will be applied automatically to reduce the vehicle speed. (Brake control: See B below.)

1. Accelerator pedal
2. Brake pedal
3. Hybrid system output
4. Braking force
5. Start of control
6. High possibility of a collision
7. Extremely high possibility of a collision

■ The Intelligent Clearance Sonar function will operate when The function will operate when the ICS OFF indicator is not illuminated or flashing and all of the following conditions are met:

• Hybrid system output restriction control
  • The Intelligent Clearance Sonar system is enabled.
  • The vehicle speed is 10 mph (15 km/h) or less.
  • There is a stationary object in the traveling direction of the vehicle and 6 to 13 ft. (2 to 4 m) away.
  • The system determines that a stronger-than-normal brake operation is necessary to avoid a collision.
• Brake control
  • Hybrid system output restriction control is operating.
  • The system determines that an emergency brake operation is necessary to avoid a collision.

■ The Intelligent Clearance Sonar function will stop operating when The function will stop operating if any of the following conditions are met:

• Hybrid system output restriction control
  • The Intelligent Clearance Sonar system is disabled.
  • The collision becomes avoidable with normal brake operation.
  • The stationary object is no longer 6 to 13 ft. (2 to 4 m) away in the traveling direction of the vehicle.
• Brake control
  • The Intelligent Clearance Sonar system is disabled.
  • Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the vehicle is stopped by brake control.
  • The brake pedal is depressed after the vehicle is stopped by brake control.
  • The stationary object is no longer 6 to 13 ft. (2 to 4 m) away in the traveling direction of the vehicle.

■ Detection range of the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function The detection range of the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function differs from the detection range of the intuitive parking assist. Therefore, even if the intuitive parking assist detects an object and provides a warning, the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function may not start operating.

■ If the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function has operated If the vehicle is stopped due to operation of the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function, the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system will be disabled and the ICS OFF indicator will illuminate.

■ Re-enabling the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system To re-enable the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system when it is disabled due to operation of the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function, either enable the system again, or turn the power switch off and then back to ON mode.

Additionally, if the object becomes no longer in the traveling direction of the vehicle or if the traveling direction of the vehicle changes (such as changing from moving forward to backing up, or from backing up to moving forward), the system will be re-enabled automatically.

■Objects that the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function may not detect The sensors may not be able to detect certain objects, such as the following.

• Cotton cloth, snow, and other materials that are poor reflectors of ultrasonic waves.

  (People may also not be detected depending on the type of clothing they are wearing.)

• Objects which are not perpendicular to the ground, are not perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle, are uneven or are waving.
• Low objects
• Thin objects such as wires, fences, ropes and signposts
• Objects that are extremely close to the bumper

■ Intuitive parking assist buzzer Regardless of whether the intuitive parking assist system is enabled or not, if the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system is enabled, the front or rear sensors detect an object and brake control is performed, the intuitive parking assist buzzer will sound to notify the driver of the approximate distance to the object.

■ Situations in which the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function may operate even if there is no possibility of a collision In some situations such as the following, the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function may operate even though there is no possibility of a collision.

• Vehicle surroundings

• When driving on a narrow road

• When driving on a gravel road or in an area with tall grass

• When driving toward a banner, flag, low-hanging branch or boom barrier (such as those used at railroad crossings, toll gates and parking lots).
• When driving on a narrow path surrounded by a structure, such as in a tunnel or on an iron bridge
• When parallel parking
• When there is a rut or hole in the surface of the road
• When driving on a metal cover (grating), such as those used for drainage ditches
• When driving on a steep slope
• If a sensor is hit by a large amount of water, such as when driving on a flooded road

• Weather

• If a sensor is covered with ice, snow, dirt, etc. (when cleared, the system will return to normal)
• If heavy rain or water strikes a sensor
• When driving in inclement weather such as fog, snow or a sandstorm

• Other ultrasonic waves sources

• When vehicle horns, vehicle detectors, motorcycle engines, air brakes of large vehicles, the clearance sonar of other vehicles or other devices which produce ultrasonic waves are near the vehicle
• If a sticker or an electronic component, such as a backlit license plate (especially fluorescent type), fog lights, a fender pole or wireless antenna is installed near a sensor

• Changes in the vehicle posture

• If the vehicle is significantly tilted
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered due to the carried load
• If the orientation of a sensor has been changed due to a collision or other impact

■ If the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function operates unnecessarily such as at a railroad crossing Even in the event that the Intelligent Clearance Sonar function operates unnecessarily, such as at a railroad crossing, brake control will be canceled after approximately 2 seconds, allowing you to proceed forward and leave the area, Brake control can also be canceled by depressing the brake pedal. Depressing the accelerator pedal again will allow you to proceed forward and leave the area.

■ Situations in which the Intelligent Clearance Sonar Brake function may not operate properly In some situations such as the following, this function may not operate properly.

• Weather

• When a sensor or the area around a sensor is extremely hot or cold

• When strong winds are blowing

• If a sensor is covered with ice, snow, dirt, etc. (when cleared, the system will return to normal)
• If heavy rain or water strikes a sensor
• When driving in inclement weather such as fog, snow or a sandstorm

• Vehicle surroundings

• When an object that cannot be detected is between the vehicle and a detected object
• If an object such as a vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian cuts in front of the vehicle or runs out from the side of the vehicle.

• Other ultrasonic waves sources

• When vehicle horns, vehicle detectors, motorcycle engines, air brakes of large vehicles, the clearance sonar of other vehicles or other devices which produce ultrasonic waves are near the vehicle
• If a sticker or an electronic component, such as a backlit license plate (especially fluorescent type), fog lights, a fender pole or wireless antenna is installed near a sensor

• Changes in the vehicle posture

• If the vehicle is significantly tilted
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered due to the carried load
• If the orientation of a sensor has been changed due to a collision or other impact

■ If a 12-volt battery terminal has been disconnected and reconnected The system needs to be initialized.

To initialize the system, drive the vehicle straight ahead for 5 seconds or more at a speed of approximately 22 mph (35 km/h) or more.

■ If "ICS Unavailable" is displayed on the multi-information display and the ICS OFF indicator is flashing

• A sensor may be covered with ice, snow, dirt, etc. Remove the ice, snow, dirt, etc., from the sensor to return the system to normal.

  Also, due to ice forming on a sensor at low temperatures, a warning message may be displayed or the sensor may not be able to detect an object. Once the ice melts, the system will return to normal.

• If this message continues to be displayed even after cleaning the sensor, or is displayed even though the sensor is clean, have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
• Initialization may not have been performed after a 12-volt battery terminal was disconnected and reconnected. Initialize the system.

■ If "ICS Malfunction Visit Your Dealer" is displayed on the multi-information display and the ICS OFF indicator is flashing The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

WARNING

■ Limitations of the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system Do not overly rely on the system, as doing so may lead to an accident.

• The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive carefully, taking care to observe your surroundings. The Intelligent Clearance Sonar system is designed to provide support to lessen the severity of collisions. However, it may not operate in some situations.
• The Intelligent Clearance Sonar system is not designed to stop the vehicle completely.

  Additionally, even if the system has stopped the vehicle, it is necessary to depress the brake pedal immediately as brake control will be canceled after approximately 2 seconds.

■ To ensure the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system can operate properly Observe the following precautions regarding the sensors. Failure to do so may cause a sensor to not operate properly, and may cause an accident.

• Do not modify, disassemble or paint the sensors.
• Do not replace a sensor with a part other than a genuine part.
• Do not subject a sensor or its surrounding area to a strong impact.
• Do not damage the sensors, and always keep them clean.

Observe the following precautions regarding the radar sensors. Failure to do so may cause a radar sensor to not operate properly, and may cause an accident.

• Do not modify, disassemble or paint the sensors.
• Do not replace a radar sensor with a part other than a genuine part.
• Do not subject a radar sensor or its surrounding area to a strong impact.
• Do not damage the radar sensors, and always keep the radar sensors and their surrounding area on the bumper clean.

■ Handling the suspension Do not modify the suspension, as changes to the height or inclination of the vehicle may prevent the sensors from detecting objects correctly or cause the system to not operate or operate unnecessarily.

NOTICE

■ To prevent the system from malfunctioning

• If the area around a sensor is subjected to an impact, the system may not operate properly due to the sensor being misaligned. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
• When using a high pressure washer to wash the vehicle, do not spray the sensors directly, as doing so may cause a sensor to malfunction.
• When using steam to clean the vehicle, do not direct steam too close to the sensors as doing so may cause a sensor to malfunction.

■ To prevent a radar sensor from malfunctioning

• If the area around a radar sensor is subjected to an impact, the system may not operate properly due to a sensor malfunction. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
• Observe the radar sensor handling precautions.

■ To prevent unnecessary operation of the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system In the following situations, disable the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system as the system may operate even though there is no possibility of a collision.

• When inspecting the vehicle using a chassis roller, chassis dynamo or free roller
• When loading the vehicle onto a boat, truck or other transport vessel
• If the suspension has been modified or tires of a size other than specified are installed
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered due to the carried load
• If towing eyelets are installed