Hi: I bought a used 2016 es300h recently..
I am trying to adjust the default setting for the PCS distance..to "long"
according to the manual, I went to settings to look for PCS... but nothing is there..
The car came with blind spot monitor, lane departure assist and other safety features..
VIN checking clearly shows PCS was installed - factory option..
The window sticker at the dealership shows as equipped with PCS...
so how do I access this feature to see the different distance settings?
Thx
sam

 

The settings for the distance for the PCS are not located with the settings that you access via the car's menu and view on the navigation screen. Instead, they are included in the settings for the multi-information display (between the speedometer and odometer), and you navigate to those settings and make changes with the buttons on the right side of the steering.

 

Lesz:
Thanks for the quick response...
I did exactly what you described... the up, down, left & right navigation button plus center button to move to settings..
I see units, etc... but NO PCS link...
Thats why I asked the question...
Thx

 

In that case, it would appear that your car is not equipped with the PCS. The Lexus Safety System +, including the Radar Cruise Control, PCS and Lane Departure Assist became standard on the ES starting with the 2017 model year. Before that, it was an add-on option.

 

lesz:
Thanks again...
But the window sticker on the car, carfax and factory installed options based on VIN @ lexus.com ALL show the car came wth PCS....
the sticker reads
Installed options..:
Lexus safety system + includes Pre collision SYS (PCS) W/pedestrian Detection , high speed dynamic cruise ctrl , lane departure alert w/ steering assist, Bi led Headlamps

Any way to check for PCS on the car ? what warning light comes on during starting indicates PCS ? like tire pressure , ABS , etc .. Where ?
Thanks again
Sam

 

If it says on the window sticker that it has the Safety System +, I can't imagine that you don't have it on your car.

To make sure that my memory wasn't failing me, I just went out and checked my car (it is a 2017 ES, but it should be the same as a 2016).

I started by using the right arrow on the steering wheel to get to the settings (the one that looks like a gear). The settings contain 5 items, LDA, PCS, Ambient Lighting, Vehicle Settings, and Meter Settings (from top to bottom). When I select PCS, there are two possible settings. One gives the option of turning the PCS on or off, and the other gives the 3 distance choices.

If your car doesn't have the same choices, I'm not sure what is going on. My only additional suggestion would be to check with a Lexus Dealer. You might start with just making a call and asking to speak with the dealer's tech specialist.

As far as warning lights are concerned, there is a PCS off warning light that is near the bottom and right side of the fuel gauge and it is supposed to light up briefly when the ignition switch is turned on (per page 75 of the 2017 ES manual. For your 2016 ES manual, the exact page might be different, but it should be close.)

 

I have a 2014 ES with PCS and everything (wasn't free back then.... =) Anyway, when you engage cruise control (press in on the little stick) then a green light comes on the dash indicating cruise control is "ready". The green light on the dash--for my 2013-2015 models--looks like a little speedometer icon. Since I have PCS, there is a little car on top of the speedometer symbol. Then, the distance selection button is on the bottom of the steering wheel on the right (for me), below the volume buttons, etc. I think on the 2016-2018 models it is below the arrow buttons and looks like a car beaming something or headlights coming out of it. If you do not have that button, you do not have PCS. You should have at least two buttons below the arrow buttons.

Note: To turn on "normal" cruise control, first press in the little stick to activate cruise control, then press the stick forward and hold it for two or three seconds. Then the green dash icon removes the "car" and becomes a normal speedometer looking icon indicating normal cruise control. To reset that, turn off cruise control and turn it back on and it will go back to PCS.

Note 2: Inside the glove compartment, on the left, you should see a button (hard to see 'cause it is all black) that will disable PCS completely. I guess it is more of a valet feature, otherwise, not sure why that button exists.

 

I believe that there are some differences between the way that it is on the 2013-2015 ES compared to the 2016-2018 ES, including a completely different steering wheel button layout for 2016-2018, and, on the 2016 to 2018, there is no button inside the glove box to disable the PCS. Instead that is done through the multi-information display between the speedometer and odometer, and that is also completely different on the 2016-2018 ES from the way it was on the 2013-2015 ES.

However, what should be, at least, similar to the earlier model years is that, when you activate the cruise control by pressing the button on the end of the cruise control stalk, you should get a "radar ready" alert in the multi-information display (provided that PCS has not been disabled).

 

If you have PCS you will have the button on the right spoke of the steering wheel as below. The highlighted button will set the distance, it will cycle through the distances.

 

Thanks to ALL of you..
I definitely have PCS !! Yes --Jollick-- I have the distance button next to the LDA on/off buttom..
Most importantly I looked at ALL the warning lights that come on and goes away after starting the car..,
In the engine Hot/Cold meter , next to the Tachometer, I saw briefly the PCS off yellow light come on and go away..
So I definitely have PCS..
the distance button next to LDA switch for the cruise control sure is there -and I can change it..
But how to enable/disable is the new question...
Reading through the manual, a couple of things come to mind..
May be the previous owner did some custom settings and thus I am not seeing it in the settings menu..

Any downside to just set all settings to DEFAULT settings to see what happens ?
What about disconnect the battery and reconnect.. Good idea ??
Thanks again for all your suggestions...
A ton of things to learn !!
sam

 

In the Multi-Information Display settings, which of the 5 items that should be there actually do appear in your car?
I believe that some of those items may disappear if the car's transmission is not in park. So, it almost sounds like your car's computer might be "confused", and it might be thinking that the transmission is in drive.

If that could be the case, your idea about disconnecting the battery might be worth a try, but doing so will likely also mean having to re-set a good number of other settings.

Also, when you push the button at the end of the cruise control stalk, does the "radar ready" message appear on the multi-information display?

 

Anyone have a pic of what the 2013 Model Buttons look like?

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...39133631918771

 

Thanks. So is it the Button on the left Steering below the up/down Volume and Mode. Labeled LDA?