2015 LEXUS LS600H Owners Manual

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
While the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever with the
brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is
completely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in D for normal
driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control accelerating forces andengine braking forces.
Hybrid transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionPurpose and condition
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NCondition in which the power is not transmitted
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (  P. 2 2 4 )

2244-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to the S position.
Changing the shift range allows restriction of the highest shift range, pre-
venting unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking
force to be selected.
Also, by controlling the transmission so that engine speed is higher when
compared with normal driving, acceleration response is improved.
The shift range can be selected by the shift lever.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to
S8, will be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is
automatically set to S4, S5, S6 or S7
according to vehicle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 8 levels of accelerating force and engine brak-
ing force.
●A lower shift range will provid e greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine speed
will also increase.
●If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 5, the shift range may automati-
cally range up in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
Selecting shift ranges in S mode
1
2

2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■Sport mode/Comfort mode/Eco drive mode
P. 2 8 3
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the conditions when driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, such as on snow.
Press the switch.
The snow mode indicator light will
come on.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Selecting the driving mode

2264-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■S mode
●When the shift range is 6 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to 8.
●When the shift lever is moved toward “-”, the shift range is downshifted to a range
that enables engine braking force that is suitable to driving conditions.
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving perfor mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with cruise control or dyna mic radar cruise control with full speed
range activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine brak-
ing, engine braking will not activate beca use cruise control or dynamic radar cruise
control with full speed range will not be canceled.
●While driving in S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. (  P. 253, 257)
●When switching the driving mode to sp ort mode while driving in D position.
(  P. 2 8 3 )
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if th e power switch is turned off after driving
in snow mode.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 5 1 9
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehi-
cle skidding to the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid ba ttery (traction battery) will not be charged
even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever
in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge,
and this may result in the vehicle not being able to start.

2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■To discontinue flashing of the tu rn signals during a lane change
Operate the lever in the opposite direction.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flas h during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 5 6 4 )
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

2284-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will
come on. (P. 2 3 0 )
Press and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and it is
necessary to operate the parking
brake while driving. The parking brake
is applied only while the switch is
being pressed.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake indi-
cator light goes off.
Parking brake
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
U.S.A. Canada
1
2

2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
The parking brake is set or released automatically according to shift lever
operation.
Turns automatic mode on/off
When automatic mode is turned on,
the indicator on the switch comes
on and it operates in the following
manner:
●When the shift lever is moved into
P, the parking brake will be set.
●When the shift lever is moved out
of P, the parking brake will be
released.
Operate the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed.
■Parking brake operation
●When the power switch is not in ON mo de, the parking brake cannot be released
using the parking brake switch.
●When the power switch is not in ON mo de, automatic mode (automatic brake set-
ting and releasing) is not available.
●If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the system
may restrict operation to prevent overheatin g. If this happens, refrain from operat-
ing the parking brake. Normal operatio n will return after about 1 minute.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a moto r sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
Automatic mode

2304-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■Parking brake indicator light
●Depending on the power switch mode, the parking brake indicator light will come
on and stay on as described below:
ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds.
●When the power switch is turned off with the parking brake set, the parking brake
indicator light will stay on for about 15 seconds. This does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is dr iven at a speed of approximately 3 mph (5
km/h) or more with the parking brake engaged.
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning message will turn on or flash. ( P. 495, 503)
Depending on the condition, the parking brake indicator light may flash.
■Usage in winter time
 P. 3 2 6
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, set the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P and
make sure that the vehicle does not move.
■When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and check the warning messages.
■When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Use the parking brake release tool to manually release the parking brake.
( P. 5 2 0 )
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.