I don't know if this is true on Lexus but it might be so I will throw it out there. In Honda/Acura products its important to actually have the ABS master cylinder activate a few times a year just to free up and lubricate its internal seals. An Acura service manager told me the ABS systems on cars driven in the South sometimes go more than a year without activating and the internal seals in the ABS master dry out and then tear when it finally does activate. When the seals tear the ABS system throws a code showing Master cylinder needs replacement. An ABS master cylinder is a complex expensive device, on an Acura its $2500+ - on a Lexus I bets its a similar complex and high $$$ part.

Up North it doesn't matter because ABS fires plenty on normal snow and ice but in the South and Southwest a car can go for a long time without running the ABS.

I thought about this today because its rainy in DFW area today so it will be a little slippery, so I will take the LS out (its dirty anyway) and brake it hard a couple of times on water just until I feel the ABS system buzz.

 

I've never heard of that and ABS equipped cars have been around for a while now. I believe that the ABS systrem does a "self check" on start-up that exercises the components for proper service. If ABS systems failed for lack of use, there would be more lawsuits than even John Edwards could handle.

 

GeorgeT - Good point, you are likely correct. I think the service manager told me about being careful to give the ABS system a workout every once in a while back in early 90's so it may not be a problem on more modern cars. But I still hit the brakes sometimes when it is slippery out as my cars are always driven in the South.