1454-2. Driving procedures
LC500_LC500h_OM_OM11405U_(U)
4
Driving
●To prevent the steering lock motor from
overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on
and off repeatedly in a short period of
time. In this case, refrain from operating
the power switch. After about 10 sec-
onds, the steering lock motor will resume
functioning.
■If there is a malfun ction in the smart
access system with push-button start
If “Access System with Elec. Key Malfunc-
tion” is displayed on the multi-information
display, the system may be malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come
on
In the event that the “READY” indicator
does not come on even after performing
the proper procedures for starting the vehi-
cle, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P.60
■Electronic key battery
P.318
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and
firmly, the power switch mode may not
change or the hybrid system may not
start.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid system
immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start
in some cases. After turning the power
switch off, please wait a few seconds
before restarting the hybrid system.
■Customization
If the smart access sy stem with push-button
start has been deactivated in a customized setting, refe
r to P.355.
1Stop the vehicle completely.
2 If the parking brake is in manual
mode, set the parking brake.
(P.162)
3 Shift the shift position to P.
(P.158)
Check that the shift position indicator
shows P. ( P.157)
4 Press the power switch.
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sit-
ting 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 result-
ing 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.
NOTICE
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to
start, have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction
with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operat-
ing somewhat differently than usual, such
as the switch sticking slightly, there may
be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus
dealer immediately.
Stopping the hybrid system
1464-2. Driving procedures
LC500_LC500h_OM_OM11405U_(U)The hybrid system will
stop, and the meter
display will be extinguished (the shift posi-
tion indicator will be extinguished a few
seconds after the meter display).
5 Check that “ACCESSORY” or
“IGNITION ON” is not shown on
the meter.
■Automatic P position selection function
P.158
Modes can be changed by pressing
the power switch with the brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each
time the switch is pressed.) 1
Off
The emergency flashers can be used.
2ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
meter.
3ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the
meter.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode
for more than 20 minutes or ON mode (the
hybrid system is not operating) for more
than an hour with the shift position in P, the
power switch will automatically turn off.
However, this function cannot entirely pre-
vent the 12-volt battery discharge. Do not
leave the vehicle with the power switch in
ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time when the hybrid system is not
operating.
WARNING
■Stopping the hybrid system in an
emergency
●If you want to stop the hybrid system in
an emergency while driving the vehi-
cle, press and hold the power switch
for more than 2 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succession.
( P.326)
However, do not touch the power
switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. 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 difficult to steer
smoothly, so you should pull over and
stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so.
●If the power switch is operated while
the vehicle is running, a warning mes-
sage will be shown on the multi-infor-
mation display and a buzzer sounds.
●When restarting the hybrid system
after an emergency shutdown, press
the power switch.
Changing power switch modes
1474-2. Driving procedures
LC500_LC500h_OM_OM11405U_(U)
4
Driving
■When the shift control system malfunc-
tions
When attempting to turn the power switch
off while there is a malfunction in the shift
control system, the power switch mode may
change to ACCESSORY mode. In this
case, ACCESSORY mode may be turned
off by applying the parking brake and press-
ing the power switch again. If there is a mal-
function in the system, have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on, the EV
drive mode indicator will come on. Press-
ing 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 can-
not be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive
mode on in the following situations. If it can-
not be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a
message will be shown on the multi-infor-
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the power switch in
ACCESSORY or ON mode for long
periods of time without the hybrid sys-
tem on.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION
ON” is displayed on the meter, the
power switch is not off. Exit the vehicle
after turning the power switch off.
EV drive mode (LC500h)
In EV drive mode, electric power is
supplied by the hybrid battery
(traction battery), and only the
electric motor (traction motor) is
used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in res-
idential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor park-
ing lots etc. without concern for
noises and gas emissions.
However, when the vehicle proxim-
ity notification system is active, the
vehicle may produce sound.
Operating instructions
1544-2. Driving procedures
LC500_LC500h_OM_OM11405U_(U)
ing unnecessary upshifting and
enabling the level of engine braking
force to be selected.
1Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift rang e, from D1 to D10,
will be displaye d in the meter.
To return to normal D position driving, the
“+” paddle shift switch must be held down
for a period of time.
A lower shift range will provide greater
engine braking forces than a higher shift
range.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range
selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will
be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for
more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is moved to D again
●When pressing and holding the “+” pad- dle shift switch
■Downshifting restriction warning
buzzer
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 paddle shift switch is operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
To enter M mode, shift the shift position
to M. Gears can be selected by oper-
ating the paddle shift switches, allowing
you to drive in the gear of your choos-
ing.
1 Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The gear changes once every time the
paddle shift switch is operated.
The selected gear, from M1 to M10, will be
fixed and displayed in the meter.
When in the M position, the gear will
not change unless the paddle shift
switches are operated.
However, even when in the M position,
the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situation:
When vehicle speed drops (down-
shift only).
When a gear change is necessary to
Meter dis-
playFunction
D2 - D10
A gear in the range between D1 and the selected shift
range is automatically cho- sen depending on vehicle
speed and driving conditions
D1Setting the shift range at D1
Selecting gears in the M position
1554-2. Driving procedures
LC500_LC500h_OM_OM11405U_(U)
4
Driving
protect the engine or automatic
transmission when the engine cool-
ant temperature is low, the auto-
matic transmission fluid
temperature is high or low, or other
reasons.
Also, the gear will not shift when the
vehicle speed is low, even if an upshift
operation is performed.
■Downshifting restriction warning
buzzer
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 paddle shift switch is operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce
noise, set the shift position in D for nor-
mal driving. You can choose gear range
suitable for your driving situation by
operating the paddle shift switches.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driv-ing in M mode.
■For the shift positions
●When the power switch is off, the shift
position cannot be changed.
●When the power switch is in ON mode
(the hybrid system is not operating), the
shift position can only be changed to N.
●When the “READY” indicator is on, the
shift position can be changed from P to D,
N or R.
●When the “READY” indicator is flashing,
the shift position cannot be changed from
P to another position even if the shift lever
is operated. Wait until the “READY” indi-
Hybrid transmission
(LC500h)
Select the shift position depending
on your purpose and situation.
Shift position purpose and func-
tions
Shift posi-
tionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral (Condition in which
the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 ( P.160)
1574-2. Driving procedures
LC500_LC500h_OM_OM11405U_(U)
4
Driving
■Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can
be changed.
(Customizable features: P.391)
Shift lever
Operate the shift lever gently and securely
in the direction of the arrow on the shift
position indicator.
To shift to N, slide the shift lever in the
direction of the arrow and hold it.
Release the shift lever after each shifting
operation to allow it to return to its regular
position ( ).
Shifting to M is only possible when the shift
position is in D.
When shifting from P to N, D or R, from N,
D or R to P, from D to R, or from R to D,
ensure that the brake pedal is being
depressed and the vehicle is stationary.
Shift position indicator
Meter display:
The current shift position is highlighted.
When any shift position other than D or M
is selected, the arrow toward M and M
position indicator are displayed in gray.
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road sur-
faces
Do not accelerate or shift the shift posi-
tion suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may
cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting
in an accident.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
charge
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) will not be
charged. To help prevent the battery
from discharging, avoid leaving the N
position selected for an extended period
of time.
■Situations where sh ift control system
malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs,
shift control system malfunctions are
possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place on level ground, apply the parking
brake, and then contact your Lexus
dealer.
●When the warning message indicating
the shift control syst em appears on the
multi-information display.
●The display indicates that no shift posi-
tion is selected for more than a few
seconds.
Shifting the shift lever
A
B
1604-2. Driving procedures
LC500_LC500h_OM_OM11405U_(U)
ing unnecessary upshifting and
enabling the level of engine braking
force to be selected.
1Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift rang e, from D1 to D10,
will be displaye d in the meter.
To return to normal D position driving, the
“+” paddle shift switch must be held down
for a period of time.
A lower shift range will provide greater
engine braking forces than a higher shift
range.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range
selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will
be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for
more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is moved to D again
●When the “+” paddle shift switch is pressed and held
●When dynamic radar cruise control with
full-speed range is operating
■Downshifting restriction warning
buzzer
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 paddle shift switch is operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
To enter M mode, shift the shift position
to M. Gears can be selected by oper-
ating the paddle shift switches, allowing
you to drive in the gear of your choos-
ing.
1 Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The gear changes once every time the
paddle shift switch is operated.
The selected gear, from M1 to M10, will be
fixed and displayed in the meter.
When in the M position, the gear will
not change unless the paddle shift
switches are operated.
However, even when in the M position,
the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situation:
When vehicle speed drops (down-
Meter dis-
playFunction
D2 - D10
A gear in the range between D1 and the selected shift
range is automatically cho- sen depending on vehicle
speed and driving conditions
D1Setting the shift range at D1
Selecting gears in the M position
1614-2. Driving procedures
LC500_LC500h_OM_OM11405U_(U)
4
Driving
shift only).
When vehicle speed increases
(upshift only).
When the accelerator pedal is firmly
depressed.
When a gear change is necessary to
protect the transmission fluid tem-
perature is high or low, or other rea-
sons.
Also, the gear will not shift when the
vehicle speed is low, even if an upshift
operation is performed.
■Downshifting restrictions warning
buzzer
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 paddle shift switch is operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
1 Right turn
2 Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
3Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
4Left turn
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions