Lexus Safety Experience

Recently I was invited to the Lexus Safety Experience. I along with other bloggers from the area were given the chance to test the safety features that Lexus and its parent company Toyota incorporates in their vehicles. After a brief presentation and explanation of the various features, we were divided up in to three groups. Each group reported to a different station and there we were introduced to professional drivers.

First up was the Anti-Lock Braking course. Here we were given two Lexus IS 350's to drive. One of the cars had its anti-lock braking (abs) system disabled. We were instructed to speed down the course and once we hit a pre-determined spot, just slam on the brakes. On the car with no abs, you just kept going forward out of control. Boy did I kill a lot of cones. On the car with the abs you were still able to control the vehicle enough to maintain the course.

The Smart Stop course was next, I was happy to be getting into a larger car, being that the IS was way too small for me, but I'm sure it was fun to watch me squeeze in and out of it. Smart-Stop is a brake override system that reduces power to the car when the brakes and the accelerator pedal are pressed at the same time. To test this out they let us drive a GS350 and a ES 350. Our instructors explained how the system work and how we were to use it. First car up was the silver GS350. First part of the course was to speed up to 20 miles per hour and then press the car's start/stop button for 4 seconds. This completely turns off all of the power to the car. With the car off we managed to to steer it around the oval unti it stopped. After re-starting the car, it was off to the next part of the course. we sped up to 20 mph and at hit the brakes while pressing down on the gas pedal. The instructor said it would be a strange feeling to brake with the left foot and he didn't lie. The car slowed down as the Smart-Stop kicked in. Pretty neat.

Finally it was off to the final course, now this one seemed like it was going to be the most fun. A giant blue tarp was spread out over the tarmac. I was to test the the Vehicle Stability Control (vsc) and the Traction Control (trac). Once again our instructor explained how the system worked and the escorted us to identical RX350's. Once inside and secured, I was instructed to pull up to the edge of the blue tarp. The instructor turned off the traction control then someone squirted dish soap onto the front wheels. I was told to accelerate and the wheels started to spin as if I were driving in icy conditions. I stopped at the other end of the tarp. The next part of the course we tested the vsc. With the vsc turned off I pulled up to spot were it simulated a dirt road. The instructor told me to accelerate and turn the wheel which the RX just seemed like it was about to spin out of control (more dead cones). Once we recovered it was back to the blue tarp. With the traction control on and lots of dish soap, I stepped on the gas the wheels spun briefly but then became as sure footed as if we were driving on asphalt. With the VSC turned on we went to the dirt patch. Again I stepped on the gas then turned the wheel and again it was as if we were glued to the ground. The system was not intrusive all you heard was a small series of beeps to let you know the system was doing its job.

Now that the fun was over it was time for lunch. Which I must say was very delish. Overall I was very impressed with all of the safety feautres and the dedication to quality in the Lexus vehicles. I will definitely need to add Lexus to my wish list.