
152 4-1. Before driving
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) WARNING■
When driving the vehicle●
Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with 
the location of the brake and accelera-
tor pedals to avoid depressing the 
wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelera-
tor pedal instead of the brake pedal 
will result in sudden acceleration that 
may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your 
body around, leading to a difficulty in 
operating the pedals. Make sure to 
operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving 
posture even when moving the vehicle 
only slightly. This allows you to depress 
the brake and accelerator pedals 
properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your 
right foot. Depressing the brake pedal 
using your left foot may delay 
response in an emergency, resulting in 
an accident.●
Do not drive the vehicle over or stop 
the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases 
can be extremely hot. These hot parts 
may cause a fire if there is any flamma-
ble material nearby.
●
Vehicles without Lexus Safety Sys-
tem+A: During normal driving, do not 
turn off the engine. Turning the engine 
off while driving will not cause loss of 
steering or braking control, but the 
power assist to these systems will be 
lost. This will make it more difficult to 
steer and brake, so you should putt 
over and stop the vehicle as soon as it 
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emer-
gency, such as if it becomes impossible 
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: 
→ P.410 ●
Vehicles with Lexus Safety System+A: 
During normal driving, do not turn off 
the engine. Turning the engine off 
while driving will not cause loss of 
steering or braking  control, however, 
power assist to the st eering 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.
In the event of an emergency, such as if 
it becomes impossible to stop the vehi-
cle in the normal way:  → P.410●
Use engine braking (downshift) to 
maintain a safe speed when driving 
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may 
cause the brakes to overheat and lose 
effectiveness. ( → P.163)●
Do not adjust the positions of the 
steering wheel, the  seat, or the inside 
or outside rear view mirrors while driv-
ing.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle 
control. ●
Always check that all passengers’ 
arms, heads or other parts of their 
body are not outside the vehicle. ●
Do not drive in excess of the speed 
limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 
km/h) unless your vehicle has 
high-speed capability tires. Driving 
over 85 mph (140 km /h) may result in 
tire failure, loss of control and possible 
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer 
to determine whether the tires on your 
vehicle are high-speed capability tires 
or not before driving at such speeds.
■
When driving on slippery road sur-
faces
●
Sudden braking, acceleration and 
steering may cause  tire slippage and 
reduce your ability to control the vehi-
cle.
●
Sudden acceleration, engine braking 
due to shifting, or changes in engine 
speed could cause the vehicle to skid. 

1534-1. Before driving
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4
Driving WARNING●
After driving through a puddle, lightly 
depress the brake pedal to make sure 
that the brakes are functioning prop-
erly. Wet brake pads may prevent the 
brakes from functioning properly. If the 
brakes on only one side are wet and 
not functioning properly, steering con-
trol may be affected.■
When shifting the shift position●
Do not let the vehicle roll backward 
while a forward driving position is 
selected, or roll forward while the shift 
position is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall 
or lead to poor brake and steering 
performance, resulting in an accident 
or damage to the vehicle.●
Do not shift the shift position to P while 
the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission 
and may result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol.●
Do not shift the shift position to R while 
the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission 
and may result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol.
●
Do not shift the shift position to a driv-
ing position while the vehicle is moving 
backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission 
and may result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol.
●
Changing the shift position to N while 
the vehicle is moving will disengage 
the engine from the transmission. 
Engine braking is not available when N 
is selected. ●
Be careful not to change the shift posi-
tion with the accelerator pedal 
depressed. Changing the shift posi-
tion to any positions other than P or N 
may lead to unexpected rapid acceler-
ation of the vehicle that may cause an 
accident and result in death or serious 
injury.
After changing the shift position, make 
sure to confirm the current shift posi-
tion displayed on the shift position indi-
cator inside the meter. ■
Brake pad wear
If any of the following situations occurs, 
have the brake pads visually checked and 
replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as 
possible. ●
If the thickness of the brake pads 
exceeds the brake pad wear limit when 
visually checking all four brake pads 
(for the brake pad wear limit, refer to 
P.453) ●
If a warning message is displayed on 
the multi-information display (only the 
right-side pads can be detected)
Rotor damage may result if the pads are 
not replaced when needed.
F SPORT models: Moderate levels of the 
brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced 
braking power. As a result, the discs may 
wear more quickly than conventional 
brake discs. Therefore, when replacing 
the brake pads, Lexus recommends that 
you also have the thickness of the discs 
measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when 
the wear limits of the brake pads and/or 
those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■
When the vehicle is stopped
●
Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P 
or N, the vehicle may accelerate sud-
denly and unexpectedly, causing an 
accident. 

156 4-1. Before driving
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) Cargo capacity depends on the total 
weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capac-
ity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load 
Limit —
(1) Locate the statement “The com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo 
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX 
lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of 
the driver and passengers that will be 
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of 
the driver and passengers from XXX 
kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the 
available amount of cargo and luggage 
load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount 
equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 
150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the 
amount of available cargo and luggage 
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400  −  750 
(5  ×  150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of 
luggage and cargo being loaded on 
the vehicle. That weight may not safely 
exceed the available cargo and lug-NOTICE
Information on what to do in case of a flat 
tire ( → P.432)■
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 vehi-
cle: ●
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 fol-
lowing: ●
Brake function●
Changes in quantity and quality of oil 
and fluid used for the engine, transmis-
sion, transfer (AWD models), differen-
tial, etc.●
Lubricant condition for the propeller 
shaft, bearings and suspension joints 
(where possible), and the function of 
all joints, bearings, etc.
If the shift control system is damaged by 
flooding, it may not  be possible to shift 
the shift position to P, or from P to other 
positions. In this case, contact your Lexus 
dealer.
■
When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift 
the shift position to P. Failure to do so 
may cause the vehicle to move or the 
vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the 
accelerator pedal is accidentally 
depressed. Cargo and luggage Take notice of the following infor-
mation about storage precautions, 
cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution 

160 4-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4-2.Driving procedures
1 Press the parking brake switch to 
check that the parking brake is set. 
( → P.170)The parking brake indicator will come on.
2 Firmly depress the brake pedal.  and a message will be displayed on 
the multi-information display. 
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be 
started.
3 Press the engine switch shortly and 
firmly.When operating the engine switch, one 
short, firm press is enough. It is not neces-
sary to press and hold the switch.
The engine will crank until it starts or for up 
to 30 seconds, whichever is less.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until 
the engine is completely started.
The engine can be started from any engine 
switch mode. ■
Engine switch illumination
According to the situation, the engine 
switch illumination operates as follows. ●
When a door is opened, or the engine 
switch mode is changed from ACCES-
SORY or IGNITION ON mode to off, 
the engine switch illumination slowly 
blinks. ●
When depressing the brake pedal with 
carrying the electronic key on your per-
son, the engine switch illumination rapidly 
blinks. ●
When the engine sw itch is in ACCES-
SORY or IGNITION ON mode, the 
engine switch illumination illuminates. ■
If the engine does not start ●
The engine immobilizer system may not 
have been deactivated. ( → P.58) 
Contact your Lexus dealer. ●
If a message related to  start-up is shown 
on the multi-information display, read the 
message and follow the instructions. ■
If the battery is discharged
The engine cannot be started using the 
smart access system with  push-button start. 
Refer to P.438 to restart the engine. ■
Electronic key battery depletion
→ P.92 ■
Conditions affecting operation
→ P.108 ■
Notes for the entry function
→ P.109
■
Steering lock function
●
After turning the engine switch off and 
opening and closing the doors, the steer-
ing wheel will be lock ed due to the steer-
ing lock function. Operating the engine 
switch again automatically cancels the 
steering lock.
●
When the steering lock cannot be 
released, “Push Engine Switch While 
Turning Steering Whee l in Either Direc-
tion” will be displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display. 
Press the engine switch  shortly and firmly Engine (ignition) switch Performing the following opera-
tions when carryin g the electronic 
key on your person starts the 
engine or changes engine switch 
modes.
Starting the engine 

1614-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4
Driving while turning the steering wheel left and 
right.
●
To prevent the steering lock motor from 
overheating, operation of the motor may 
be suspended if the engine is turned on 
and off repeatedly in  a short period of 
time. In this case, refrain from operating 
the engine switch. After about 10 sec-
onds, the steering lock motor will resume 
functioning.■
Electronic key battery
→ P.403■
Operation of the engine switch●
If the switch is not pressed shortly and 
firmly, the engine switch mode may not 
change or the engine may not start.●
If attempting to restart the engine imme-
diately after turning the engine switch off, 
the engine may not start in some cases. 
After turning the engine switch off, please 
wait a few seconds before restarting the 
engine.■
Customization
If the smart access sy stem with push-button 
start has been deactivated in a customized 
setting, refer to P.436. 1 Stop the vehicle completely.
2 If the parking brake is in manual 
mode, set the parking brake. 
( → P.170)
3 Shift the shift position to P. 
( → P.166) Check that the shift position indicator 
shows P. ( → P.165)
4 Press the engine switch. The engine will stop, and the meter display 
will be extinguished (the shift position indi-
cator will be extinguished a few seconds 
after the meter display).
5 Release the brake pedal and check 
that “ACCESSORY” or “IGNI-
TION ON” is not shown on the 
meter.WARNING
■
When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in 
the driver’s seat. Do not depress the 
accelerator pedal while starting the 
engine under any circumstances. 
Doing so may cause an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury. ■
Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle 
is moving, do not lock or open the doors 
until the vehicle reaches a safe and com-
plete stop. Activation of the steering lock 
in this circumstance may lead to an acci-
dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE■
When starting the engine ●
Do not race a cold engine. ●
If the engine becomes difficult to start 
or stalls frequently, have your vehicle 
checked by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately. ■
Symptoms indicating a malfunction 
with the engine switch
If the engine 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 engine 

166 4-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) The current shift position is illuminated.
When selecting the shift position, make 
sure that the shift position has been 
changed to the desired position by check-
ing the shift position indicator provided on 
the instrument cluster.
P position switch
■
When shifting the shift position to P
Fully stop the vehicle and set the park-
ing brake, and then press the P position 
switch. When the shift position is changed to P, the 
switch illuminates.
Check that the shift position indicator 
shows P. ■
Shifting the shift position from P to 
other positions
 While depressing the brake pedal 
firmly, operate the shift lever. If the 
shift lever is operated without 
depressing the brake pedal, the 
buzzer will sound and the shifting 
operation will be disabled.
 When selecting the shift position, 
make sure that the shift position has 
been changed to the desired posi-
tion by checking the shift position 
indicator provided on the instru-
ment cluster.
 The shift position cannot be 
changed from P to M directly. ■
Automatic P position selection function
In the following situations, the shift position 
is automatically changed to P. ●
When pressing the engine switch with the 
vehicle stopped while th e engine switch is 
in IGNITION ON mode and the shift 
position is in a position other than P (after 
the shift position has changed to P, the 
engine switch will turn off) *
●
When the vehicle is stopped after the 
engine has been stopped in an emer-
gency while driving ●
When voltage of the battery drops while 
the shift position is in a position other than 
P *
: When the engine switch is pressed while 
driving at extremely slow speeds, such 
as immediately before stopping the vehi-
cle, the shift position may automatically 
change to P. Make su re that the vehicle 
is completely stopped before pressing 
the engine switch.
■
If the shift position cannot be shifted 
from P
There is a possibility th at the battery is dis-WARNING■
For the shift lever●
Do not remove the sh ift lever knob or 
use anything but a genuine Lexus shift 
lever knob. Also, do not hang anything 
on the shift lever. 
Doing so could prevent the shift lever 
from returning to position, causing 
unexpected accidents to occur when 
the vehicle is in motion.●
In order to prevent the shift position 
from accidentally being changed, do 
not touch the shift lever when not using 
them.
P position switch C 

1674-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4
Driving charged. Check the battery in this situation. 
( → P.438)
■
Driving mode
→ P.289 ■
Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the 
conditions when dr iving on slippery 
road surfaces, such as on snow.
Turn the snow mode switch backward. The snow mode indicator illuminates.
Turn the snow mode  switch backward 
again to return to normal mode. Except F SPORT models
F SPORT models ■
Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if 
the engine switch is turned off after driving 
in snow mode.
To drive using temporary shift range 
selection, operate the “-” or “+” paddle 
shift switch. 
When the “-” paddle shift switch is 
operated, the shift range switches to a 
range that enables engine braking 
force that is suitable to driving condi-
tions. When the “+” paddle shift switch 
is operated, the shift range switches to 
a range that is one range higher than 
the current range. 
Changing the shift range allows 
restriction of the highest gear, prevent-
ing unnecessary upshifting and 
enabling the level of engine braking 
force to be selected.WARNING■
P position switch●
Do not press the P position switch 
while the vehicle is moving.
If the P position switch is pressed when 
driving at very low speeds (for exam-
ple, directly before stopping the vehi-
cle), the vehicle may stop suddenly 
when the shift position switches to P, 
which could lead to an accident.●
In order to prevent the shift position 
from accidentally being changed, do 
not touch the P position switch or shift 
lever when not using them.
NOTICE■
Notes regarding shift lever and P 
position switch operation
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift 
lever and P position switch in quick suc-
cession. 
The system protection function may acti-
vate and it will not be temporarily possi-
ble to shift the shift position other than P. 
If this happens, plea se wait for a while 
before attempting to change the shift 
position again.
Selecting the driving mode Selecting shift ranges in the D 
position A
B 

1694-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4
Driving  When vehicle speed drops (down-
shift only).
 When it is necessary to protect the 
engine or automatic transmission 
when the engine coolant tempera-
ture is low, the automatic transmis-
sion 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 Right turn
2 Lane change to the right (move the 
lever partway and release it) The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
3 Lane change to the left (move the 
lever partway and release it) The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
4 Left turn ■
Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION 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 before a 
lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.Turn signal lever
Operating instructions