As installed in the Lexus RX 450h, Lexus’ Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System is a driver assistance that modifies the direction of the headlights in reaction to steering inputs and vehicle speed, effectively pointing the low-beam headlights towards the corner and improving your view.
The system is set to be activated by default, but if you’d like to temporarily turn it off, follow the instructions in the tutorial video below or continue reading for a step-by-step ‘how to’.
- Press the “MENU” button on the Lexus RX’s steering wheel, then use the arrow buttons to cycle through the options until “AFS” appears on the dash display.
- By pressing the “ENTER” button on the steering wheel, the system is turned off and the dash display indicator changes to “AFS OFF.”
- To return to the main display, click the “MENU” button one more time.
- Repeat the process to change the display from “AFS OFF” to “AFS ON” to re-activate the system. Resuming operation is the Intelligent Adaptive Front-Lighting System.
In This Article...
Where is the Lexus AFS off switch?
This switch is located next to the right vent. To activate or deactivate the AFS, press it. When you turn on the headlights when AFS is off, the AFS indicator illuminates as a reminder.
How should I interpret the AFS off light?
The term “adaptive front-lighting system” (AFS) refers to headlights that turn in the direction a car is turning, illuminating more of the road in that direction rather than straight ahead.
Many automakers, including Honda, Mazda, Toyota, and others, refer to adaptive front illumination. They are also known as adaptive headlights or curve-adaptive lights, and other manufacturers have their own brand names for them, like the Genesis Adaptive Cornering System and the Porsche Dynamic Light System.
On a Lexus IS250, how do you turn the headlights off?
Turn on the high lights by pulling the lever in your direction. To turn them off, pull back on the lever. With or without the headlights on, the high beams might flash.
How can I determine if I have AFS?
When you start the car with the lights on, if your lights move left and right before immediately returning to the center, you have AFS. According to my recall, the AFS won’t work when the car is at a stop; following initial calibration, the lamps must move when the car is going.
What does AFS in a car mean?
A well-illuminated field of view is one of the most crucial elements in reducing driver tiredness and enhancing safety during nighttime driving. According to the conditions of the road, the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) improves the distribution of headlight light. The device directs the low-beam headlights in the direction the driver desires to go based on vehicle speed and steering input.
The technology improves the driver’s field of vision and visibility around curves and at intersections during nighttime driving by illuminating a greater distance and brighter than halogen headlights do. When combined with auto-leveling, the technology provides a consistent light distribution that is unaffected by the location of the vehicle. When a car’s back is loaded down with a lot of people or luggage, its position varies when driving over a bump or up a slope, and the system maintains the lighting axis, it helps keep drivers of incoming vehicles from being blinded.
What is adaptive lighting in cars?
Adaptive headlights typically have bulbs that rotate in the direction of the vehicle’s movement or speed, expanding the driver’s field of vision by pivoting up to 15 degrees as the steering wheel is turned or embedded sensors detect a change in the environment. However, the technology is complicated and may vary between auto manufacturers.
What automobiles feature headlights that can curve?
Many of the vehicles made by high-end manufacturers come with or have adaptable lighting available. Many of the models offered by Porsche, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo include some form of adaptable headlights. Today’s common cars also include adaptable headlights. Even several entry-level cars from Ford, Subaru, Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda offer adjustable headlights. Each model year, there are more car models available with adaptable headlights.
What does VSC on a Lexus stand for?
VSC, or “Vehicle Stability Control,” is a safety function in your Lexus ES that aids in preventing skidding if you lose traction when driving through Long Beach.
What does Lexus’ ECT snow mean?
If at all feasible, we advise keeping off the roads when it’s icy. However, if you must brave the bitter cold while driving on snowy or icy streets, the following modern systems can keep you safe.
Snow mode on an electronically controlled transmission (ECT) throttle response is slowed down for more gradual acceleration on ice and snow to help prevent wheel spin. Additionally, the transmission will change into a higher gear more quickly than in regular mode. The road conditions we recently passed through were ideal in this situation.
The ABS sensors are used by TRACTraction Control System (TRAC) to continuously track each wheel’s rotational speed. The algorithm instantly determines the optimal approach to regain traction as soon as they notice that one or more wheels are starting to slip. The brake actuator then applies the necessary amount of braking pressure to the best-suited wheel (or wheels) until traction is regained, after which the engine’s computer control unit adjusts the throttle as necessary. Only shut off if you’re stranded and you need to shake the car to get out.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) helps you when you turn too quickly or have to brake hard in the middle of a corner. Sensors track and compare speed, steering angle, yaw rate, and deceleration continually. When the system detects a loss of control, VSC intervenes and temporarily sets the amount of braking force applied to each wheel individually. Additionally, until the tendency of the front to go wide (understeer) or the rear to break away (oversteer) is controlled, the throttle is moderated.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our Park Place Lexus Technology Specialists at Park Place Lexus Grapevine and Park Place Lexus Plano if you have any questions about how the technology features in your Lexus vehicle work.
What is Toyota’s AFS?
To enhance vision while cornering at night, intelligent AFS reroutes low-beam light units in line with the steering angle and vehicle speed.
Bits of Knowledge
Depending on the cornering direction and the nation in which you reside, the angle of the irradiation axis can be altered. These variations exist because, for right-hand drive vehicles, the left light is designed to illuminate a wider area than the right light. Toyota has therefore made the left light less movable to prevent blinding oncoming motorists.
Does front adaptive lighting merit the cost?
Do adaptable headlights make financial sense? According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, adaptive headlights could contribute to the avoidance of up to 90% of nighttime curve crashes. For the cars that have them, insurance firms observe a 510% decrease in crashes.
What does a malfunctioning adaptive headlight mean?
The most frequent reason for adaptive headlamp failure is water or condensation inside the headlight because the moisture can harm the adaptive headlight module. If the headlamp does not contain any moisture or condensation, a broken or worn-out component may be to blame for the adaptive headlights’ failure. The potential causes of your adaptive headlights failing and malfunctioning include the following:
- Damaged or improperly closed headlight access door: The headlight access door has a seal that keeps moisture and water out of the headlamp. It is possible for water to enter the headlamp and harm the adaptive headlight module if the seal is broken or the access door is not closed completely.
- Malfunctioning Adaptable Stepper Motor: The adaptive stepper motor, which is also housed in the headlamp, rotates the light projector to the left or right. The projector cannot be turned if the motor is damaged or the connection between the motor and the projector breaks down.
- Broken or cracked headlight: If water enters the headlight of your car, it could harm the adaptive headlight module.
- Failed Adaptive Headlight Module/Stepper Motor Controller: Water may enter the headlight when you drive through a car wash, flood, or a lot of rain. The adaptive headlight module, also known as the stepper motor controller, is found near the bottom of the headlamp, where the water will flow straight downward. The module will thereafter be damaged and shortened by the water.
THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND IT
Adaptive headlights are not permanently locked in place like regular headlights, which are only able to illuminate the area directly in front of you. These headlights use electronic sensors that use your steering angle to determine which way to swivel in accordance with the direction of your car.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
Use these headlights as you normally would, and be aware of any objects or other cars they may be shining on, especially when driving around curves. Always look ahead when driving to check for potential risks or impediments.
TIPS FOR USING IT
- It’s a good habit to look toward the white lines on the side of the road in front of you when approaching oncoming automobiles with your high lights on to assist protect you from being blinded.
- As you approach a curve, slow down and exercise caution.
- Avoid oversteering at all costs or you risk losing control if you don’t respond quickly enough to a hazard.
Purpose
The user is alerted by the AFS OFF indication light when the adaptive front lighting system (AFS) is halted or experiences a problem (AFS).
Function
The AFS OFF indicator light turns on when the adaptive front lighting system (AFS) or the headlamp auto leveling system is turned off, and it flashes when either of those systems experiences a problem.
Operation
NOTE:
The AFS control module turns on the ignition (engine on or off) and illuminates the AFS OFF indicator light for three seconds to test the light bulb. It then alerts the user that the light bulb is fine.
When an issue with the adaptive front lighting system (AFS) arises or the headlamp auto leveling system is stopped, the AFS control module sends a signal to the instrument cluster that requests the illumination or flashing of the AFS OFF indication light.
Based on the request signal for AFS OFF indicator light lighting or flashing, the instrument cluster turns on or flashes the AFS OFF indicator light.