2017 LEXUS LS600H Owners Manual

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
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2

2584-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
■Sport mode/Comfort mode/Eco drive mode
 P. 334
■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.
■When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
The shift range is downshifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is
suitable to driving conditions.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range select ion in the D position (vehicles with pad-
dle shift switches)
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the “+” paddle shift switch is operated when the shift range is in range 7
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to other than D
■S mode
●When the shift range is 6 or lower, holdin g 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.
Selecting the driving mode

2594-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever or paddle shift switch (if equipped) is operated. (A buzzer will
sound twice.)
■When driving with cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or dynamic 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 because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise
control or dynamic radar cruise control with full speed range will not be canceled.
●While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. ( P. 289, 293, 307)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
( P. 334)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if th e power switch is turned off after driving
in snow mode.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift lever in
starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the power switch is in ON mode and
the brake pedal is being depressed.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a
problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional imme-
diately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift
lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Turn the power switch to ON mode ( P. 248) and check that the parking brake is
set.
Turn the power switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
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2
3

2604-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
Left-hand drive vehicles
Right-hand drive vehicles
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the
tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the but-
ton is pressed.
4
5
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the
tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the but-
ton is pressed.
4
5

2614-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
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.
■To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking brake
and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal when
the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted out of P, the
vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (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.

2624-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
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 befo re a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■To discontinue flashing of the turn signals during a lane change
Operate the lever in the opposite direction.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 634)
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
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2
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4

2634-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will
come on. ( P. 265)
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
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2

2644-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
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 the vehicle
 P. 234
■Parking brake operation
●When the power switch is not in ON mode, the parking brake cannot be released
using the parking brake switch.
●When the power switch is not in ON mode, 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 overheating. If this happens, refrain from operat-
ing the parking brake. Normal operation will return after about 1 minute.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
Automatic mode