Page 210 of 620
2084-1. Before driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause
the following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
transfer, differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
Page 218 of 620
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
Page 219 of 620
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
Page 221 of 620

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.
Page 225 of 620
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 )
Page 230 of 620
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
Page 231 of 620

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
Page 232 of 620

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.