2017 LEXUS LS600H engine

2444-1. Before driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional 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.

247
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
4-2. Driving procedures
Turn the power switch to ON mode (P. 248) and check that the
parking 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 shortly
and firmly.
When operating the power switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It is not
necessary to press and hold the
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 operati ons 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

2524-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
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, driven 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 0C (32F) 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. 131)
●Vehicle speed is about 40 km/h (25 mph) 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 motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor pa rking lots etc. without concern for
noises and gas emissions.

2534-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
■Starting the hybrid system in EV drive mode
If the hybrid system is started when the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine
will automatically start in order to warm up. Follow the procedure below to start the
hybrid system. This will prevent the gasoline engine from warming up, allowing noise
to be minimized.
■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. 131)
●Vehicle speed becomes more than about 40 km/h (25 mph).
●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 distance ranges from a few hundred meters to
approximately 1 km (0.6 mile). Driving is possible at speeds of less than approxi-
mately 40 km/h (25 mph). However, depending 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 battery] 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.
Press the power switch while pressing the EV
drive mode switch and firmly depressing the
brake pedal.

2544-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the vehi-
cle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other
people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle starting off or
approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

2554-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
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 and
engine 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. 257)

2564-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle shift
switch while the shift lever is in the D position.
Changing the shift range allows restri ction of the highest shift range, pre-
venting unnecessary upshifting and en abling 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 operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift
switches.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to
D7, will be displayed in the meter.
To return to normal D position driving,
the “+” paddle shift switch must be
held down for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher shift
range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle shift
switches)
1
2
Meter displayFunction
D2 - D7
A gear in the range between D1 and the selected shift
range is automatically chosen depending on vehicle
speed and driving conditions
D1Setting the shift at D1

2574-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to the S position.
Changing the shift range allows restri ction of the highest shift range, pre-
venting unnecessary upshifting and en abling 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 or operating the “-” and
“+” paddle shift switches (if equipped).
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 provide 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