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--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Q & A Q1: Why is Lexus conducting a Safety Recall? A1: On specific late 2009 and certain 2010 Model Year Lexus LS 460 and LS 600h vehicles equipped with VGRS, under certain limited circumstances the steering wheel may temporarily become off-centered. In extreme conditions, it can be off-center by a maximum of up to 90 degrees. Q2: What are the certain limited circumstances that this can occur? A2: If the steering wheel is fully turned in one direction to the end of its travel (full lock position) and then very quickly turned in the opposite direction, the driver may observe that the center position of the steering wheel is temporarily off-centered. The VGRS system will self-correct the steering wheel off-center condition as the vehicle is driven for a few seconds (approximately five seconds). Due to the limited circumstances that this can occur, this condition will not occur during normal driving such as lane changes or turning left or right at intersections. Q2a: Will this occur if a customer is making a u-turn? A2a: This may occur in situations, for example, as pulling into a tight parking space, a very sharp intersection or a very tight u-turn where the steering wheel is fully turned in one direction to the end of its travel (full lock position) and then suddenly the driver turns the steering wheel in the opposite direction. The steering wheel itself will continue to respond, and the driver will not lose steering control; however, the customer may observe that the steering wheel is temporarily off-center. Q2b: What if the steering wheel seems to be off-center in other conditions? A2b: The steering wheel may become temporarily off-center under any of the following conditions: a. The steering wheel is turned when the engine switch is off. b. The steering wheel is turned quickly. These conditions DO NOT indicate a malfunction. The VGRS system will self correct the steering wheel off-center condition as the vehicle is driven for a few seconds (approximately five seconds). Q3: What is the cause of this condition? A3: The condition is caused by the VGRS programming logic that protects the system when greater than normal steering effort is applied. Q3a: What is a Variable Gear Ration Steering (VGRS)? A3a: The VGRS system enhances the relationship between the amount the steering wheel must turn and the reaction of the vehicle's front wheels, which varies depending on the situation. For example, VGRS increases the gear ratio at high speeds to make handling less sensitive and twitchy. It can also lower its gear ratio to make less turning of the steering wheel necessary while maneuvering at slow speeds. Q4: Are there any warnings that this condition will occur? A4: No. There are no specific warnings for when this condition will occur. Q5: Are there any steps a driver may take to minimize the occurrence of this condition? A5: Until the remedy has been completed on the vehicle, drivers can take the following steps to minimize the likelihood that this condition will occur: 1. When turning left or right at sharp intersections, when making a tight u-turn, or when parallel parking the vehicle, the steering wheel may reach the end of travel (full lock position). If this occurs, the driver should slowly turn the steering wheel back in the opposite direction and slowly exit the turn. 2. If possible, avoid quickly turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction, especially if the steering wheel was turned to the end of travel (full lock position). 3. Do not attempt to duplicate this condition. Q6: Are there any steps a driver may take if they experience this condition? A6: 1. If the driver notices an apparent steering wheel off-center condition when driving straight, please carefully steer the vehicle and not make any sudden maneuvers. Steering should be based on the vehicle direction of travel rather than the steering wheel position. The VGRS will correct the steering wheel off-center condition automatically (approximately 5 seconds). The driver may notice this correction as the steering wheel center moves slowly by itself to the center position when driving straight during the correction operation. 2. If the driver notices that the vehicle does not go straight even though the steering wheel is in the centered position, the driver should make the necessary steering corrections so the vehicle will go straight or in the path intended. Q7: What is the production period of the affected vehicles? A7: The vehicles covered by this Safety Recall were produced from late August, 2009 to late Sept. 2009 and November, 2009 to May, 2010. Q8: Are there any other Toyota or Lexus vehicles involved? A8: No, there are no other Lexus or Toyota vehicles covered by this Safety Recall in the North American market. However, Lexus will be conducting a similar recall for certain Lexus LS vehicles equipped with the VGRS in Australia, Canada, and Japan as well as other countries. Q9: What is Lexus going to do? A9: In late June, 2010, Lexus will begin sending out owner notification letters by first class mail. The letter will advise owners to bring their vehicle to a Lexus dealer to have the Steering Control ECU replaced with a newly designed one at no charge. Q10: Have any production changes been implemented? A10: Yes, a production change was implemented for this condition recently (May, 2010).
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