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2414-1. Before driving
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic
material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of
the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical com-
ponents.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a place such
as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when luggage is loaded
or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
●Do not attach adhesive discs to the wind shield or windows. Do not place contain-
ers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard. Adhesive discs
or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a metal-
lized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause the glass to
act as a lens, causing a fire.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the hybrid system
and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the hybrid system is operating.
If the vehicle is parked with the shift lever in P but the parking brake is not set, the
vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the hybrid system is operating or immedi-
ately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
Page 247 of 676

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
Page 250 of 676

2504-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
■When the power switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional imme-
diately.
■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 any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 563
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 532
■If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated in a customized setting
P. 603
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 than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times
or more in succession. ( P. 547)
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 255 of 676
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)
Page 266 of 676

2664-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
Turns the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the system is
holding the brake, the brake hold
operated indicator (yellow) comes on.
■Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turned on in the following conditions:
●The trunk or hood is not closed.
●The driver’s door is not closed.
●The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
If any of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is enabled,
the system will turn off and the brake hold standby indicator light will go off. In addi-
tion, if any of the conditions are detected while the system is holding the brake, a
warning buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play. The parking brake will then be set automatically.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released for a period of about 3 minutes after the system
has started holding the brake, the parking brake will be set automatically. In this
case, a warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information
display.
●To turn the system off while the system is holding the brake, firmly depress the
brake pedal and press the switch again.
●The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep
incline. In this situation, it may be necessary for the driver to apply the brakes. The
multi-information display will inform the driver of this situation.
Brake Hold
The brake hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever is in
D, S or N with the system on and the brake pedal has been depressed to
stop the vehicle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator
pedal is depressed with the shift lever in D or S to allow smooth start off.
Page 311 of 676
3114-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
After the vehicle ahead of you starts
off, push the lever up.
Your vehicle will also resume follow-
up cruising if the accelerator pedal
is depressed after the vehicle ahead
of you starts off.
Resuming follow-up cruising when the vehicle has been stopped
by system control
Page 313 of 676

3134-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up to
approximately 120 m (400 ft.) ahead, determines the current vehicle-to-
vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain a suitable following
distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long downhill
slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehicle
distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When the vehicle ahead is driving slower than the set speed
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically decel-
erates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, the
system applies the brakes. The system will respond to changes in the speed of the
vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the
driver. A warning tone warns you when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently
to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead. When the vehicle
ahead of you stops, your vehicle will also stop. After the vehicle ahead starts off,
pushing the cruise control lever up or depressing the accelerator pedal will
resume follow-up cruising.
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
1
2
Page 338 of 676

3384-5. Using the driving support systems
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driv ing on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces
◆TRC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an
incline or slippery slope
◆VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering)
Adjusts the wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed
and steering wheel movement
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be
aware, however, that these system s are supplementary and should not
be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.