2015 LEXUS LS600H Owners Manual

2154-1. Before driving
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.

216
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Turn the power switch to ON mode (P. 217) and check that the park-
ing brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
The power switch indicator will turn green. If the indicator does not turn green,
the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the power switch.
After a while, the “READY” indicator
comes on with a beep sound.
The vehicle can move when the
“READY” indicator is on even if the
engine is stopped.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the hybrid system is completely
started.
The hybrid system can be started from
any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is on.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic key
on your person starts the hybrid system or changes power switch
modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5

2174-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (P. 2 2 8 )
Press the power switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the indicator on the power
switch is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing th e power switch with brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as
the audio system can be used.
The power switch indicator turns
amber.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
The power switch indicator turns
amber.
*: If the shift lever is in a position otherthan P when turning off the hybrid sys-
tem, the power switch will be turned to
ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3

2184-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes with the shift
lever in P, the power switch will automatically turn off.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 7 9
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 1 3 7
■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving conditions
It may take time until the “READY” indicator comes on.
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 1 3 4
■Notes for the entry function
P. 1 3 5
■If the hybrid system does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 8 8 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering
wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the power switch
again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from ov erheating, the motor may be suspended if
the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this
case, refrain from operating the hybrid sy stem. After about 10 seconds, the steering
lock motor will resume functioning. The green indicator light on the power switch
will flash and a message will be shown on the
multi-information display. Press the power
switch again while turning the steering wheel
left and right.

2194-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■When the power switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the power switch with
the shift lever in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact your Lexus dealer imme-
diately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
 P. 5 0 3
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 4 7 2
■If the smart access system with push-but ton start has been deactivated in a cus-
tomized setting
 P. 5 2 4
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering
lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the power switch for more th an 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times
or more in succession. ( P. 485)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emergency.
Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking
control, however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more dif-
ficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so.

2204-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on.
■When starting the hybrid system
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
●If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as
the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer
immediately.

2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on.
Pressing the switch when in
EV drive mode will return the vehicle
to normal driving (using the gasoline
engine and electric motor [traction
motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it cannot
be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driv en on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32
F (0C) for a long
period of time etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
(  P. 113)
●Vehicle speed is about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode the electric moto r (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in re sidential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor pa rking lots etc. without concern for
noises and gas emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity notification system is active, the
vehicle may produce sound.

2224-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the
following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound and the
EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
( P. 113)
●Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a prior
notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
■Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distan ce ranges from a few hundred meters to
approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). Driving is possible at speeds of less than approxi-
mately 25 mph (40 km/h). However, depend ing on vehicle conditions, there are sit-
uations when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that is possible depends
on the hybrid battery [traction ba ttery] level and driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
Your Lexus is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engi ne noise is made. As such, pedestrians,
people riding bicycl es or other people and vehicles in the surrounding area may
not be aware of the vehicle starting off or approaching them. Therefore, take extra
care while driving even if the vehicle proximity notification system is active.