362 6-1. Maintenance and care
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 6-1.Maintenance and care
Working from top to bottom, liber-
ally apply water to the vehicle body,
wheel wells and underside of the
vehicle to remove any dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a
sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
For hard-to-remove marks, use car
wash soap and rinse thoroughly with
water.
Wipe away any water.
Wax the vehicle when the water-
proof coating deteriorates. If water does not bead on a clean surface,
apply wax when the vehicle body is cool.
■
Self-restoring coat
The vehicle body has a self-restoring coat-
ing that is resistant to small surface
scratches caused in a car wash etc.
●
The coating lasts for 5 to 8 years from
when the vehicle is delivered from the
plant.
●
The restoration time differs depending on
the depth of the scratch and outside tem-
perature.
The restoration time may become
shorter when the coating is warmed by
applying warm water.
●
Deep scratches caused by keys, coins,
etc. cannot be restored.
●
Do not use wax that contains abrasives. ■
Automatic car washes ●
Before washing the vehicle:
• Fold the mirrors
• Turn off the power trunk opener and
closer (if equipped)
Start washing from the front of the vehicle.
Extend the mirrors before driving.●
Brushes used in automatic car washes
may scratch the vehicl e surface and harm
your vehicle’s paint. ■
High pressure car washes ●
Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash
to come within close proximity of the win-
dows and the air suspension unit (if
equipped). ●
Before using the car wash, check that the
fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed
properly. ■
When using a car wash
If the door handle becomes wet while the
electronic key is within the effective range,
the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In
that case, follow the following correction
procedures to wash the vehicle: ●
Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or
more separate from the vehicle while the
vehicle is being wash ed. (Take care to
ensure that the key is not stolen.) ●
Set the electronic key to battery-saving
mode to disable the smart access system
with push-button start. ( → P.108)■
Aluminum wheels ●
Remove any dirt immediately by using a
neutral detergent. ●
Wash detergent off with water immedi-
ately after use.
●
To protect the paint from damage, make
sure to observe the following precau-
tions.
• Do not use acidic, alkaline or abrasive
detergent
• Do not use hard brushes
• Do not use detergent on the wheels when
they are hot, such as after driving or park-
ing in hot weatherCleaning and protecting the
vehicle exterior Perform cleaning in a manner
appropriate to each component
and its material.
Cleaning instructions
374 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) Tire inflation pres-
sure ( → P.399) • Tire pressure gauge
•Compressed air
source
Washer fluid
( → P.383) • Water or washer
fluid containing anti-
freeze (for winter
use)
• Funnel (used only for
adding water or
washer fluid)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many
mechanisms and fluids that may move
suddenly, become hot, or become elec-
trically energized. To avoid death or seri-
ous injury, observe the following
precautions. ■
When working on the engine com-
partment●
Keep hands, clothi ng and tools away
from the moving fan and engine drive
belt.●
Be careful not to touch the engine,
radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil
and other fluids may also be hot.
●
Do not leave anything that may burn
easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
●
Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose
an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes are
flammable.
■
When working near the electric cool-
ing fan or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION
ON mode, the electric cooling fan may
automatically start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. ( → P.382)Items Parts and tools ■
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or
falling material, fluid spray, etc. from get-
ting in your eyes.
NOTICE■
If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter
removed may cause excessive engine
wear due to dirt in the air.
384 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) The battery is located in the trunk
under the luggage mat.
Removing the luggage mat: → P.339
■
Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces
hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. Therefore, observe the following
precautions before recharging: ●
If recharging with the battery installed on
the vehicle, be sure to disconnect the
ground cable. ●
Make sure the engine switch on the char-
ger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the battery. ■
After recharging/reconnecting the bat-
tery ●
Unlocking the doors using the smart
access system with pu sh-button start may
not be possible immediately after recon-
necting the battery. If this happens, use
the wireless remote control or the
mechanical key to lo ck/unlock the doors.
●
Start the engine with the engine switch in
ACCESSORY mode. The engine may
not start with the engine switch turned off.
However, the engine will operate nor-
mally from the second attempt.
●
The engine switch mode is recorded by
the vehicle. If the battery is reconnected,
the vehicle will return the engine switch
mode to the status it was in before the NOTICE■
Do not use any fluid other than
washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine anti-
freeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the
vehicle’s painted surfaces, as well as
damaging the pump leading to problems
of the washer fluid not spraying. ■
Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as neces-
sary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed
on the label of the washer fluid bottle. Battery
Location
388 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U)
Vehicles with front and rear tires of
the same size
Rotate the tires in the order shown. To equalize tire wear and extend tire life,
Lexus recommends that tire rotation is car-
ried out at the same in terval as tire inspec-
tion.
Do not fail to initialize the tire pressure
warning system after tire rotation.
Vehicles with front and rear tires of
differing sizes
Tires cannot be rotated.
When run-flat tires are installed, the
vehicle can be driven for a maximum of
100 miles (160 km) at a speed below
50 mph (80 km/h) after any tire goes
flat. (However, the vehicle speed may
not increase to near 50 mph [80
km/h] depending on weather or driv-
ing conditions.)
A run-flat tire has a mark on
the side wall. Make sure to replace the flat tire before the
vehicle has been driven for near 100 miles
(160 km). Also, do not use a repaired tire.
■
Run-flat tires ●
The run-flat tires are for only this vehicle.
Do not use the tires on other vehicles. ●
Do not mix run-flat tires and normal tires.
●
If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used, it
may be impossible to sufficiently demon-
strate the performance of run-flat tires.
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure warning system that uses tire
pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters to detect low ti re inflation pressure WARNING●
Do not mix tires of different makes,
models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably
different treadwear.●
Do not use tire sizes other than those
recommended by Lexus.●
Do not mix differently constructed
tires (radial, bias-b elted or bias-ply
tires).●
Do not mix summer, all season and
snow tires.●
Do not use tires that have been used
on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know
how they were used previously.
NOTICE■
Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on
roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire
inflation pressure, reducing the cushion-
ing ability of the tires. In addition, driving
on rough roads may cause damage to
the tires themselves, as well as the vehi-
cle’s wheels and body.
Tire rotation Run-flat tires
Tire pressure warning system
392 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) When replacing the tires or wheels, the
tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitters must be installed to the wheels
which will be installed to the vehicle.
When new tire pressure warning
valves and transmitte rs are installed,
new ID codes must be registered in the
tire pressure warning computer and
the tire pressure warning system must
be initialized. ( → P.394)■
Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID codes of the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitters are not registered,
the tire pressure warning system will not
work properly. In this case, after driving for
about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning
light will blink for ap proximately 1 minute
and then illuminate to indicate a system
malfunction. ■
The tire pressure warning system
must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
When the tire inflation pressure is
changed such as when changing
traveling speed or load weight.
When the tire inflation pressure is
changed such as when the tire size
is changed.
When rotating the tires.
After performing the transmitter ID
code registration procedure.
( → P.394)
When the tire pressure warning system
is initialized, the current tire inflation
pressure is set as the benchmark pres-
sure. ■
How to initialize the tire pressure
warning system
1 Park the vehicle in a safe place and
turn the engine switch off. The initialization pr ocedure cannot be
started while the vehicle is moving.
2 Adjust the tire inflation pressure to
the specified cold tire inflation pres-
sure level. Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the
specified cold tire infl ation pressure level.
The tire pressure warning system will oper-
ate based on this pressure level.
3 Turn the engine switch to IGNI-
TION ON mode.
4 Press or of the meter con-
trol switch to select .Installing tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters
NOTICE■
Repairing or replacing tires, wheels,
tire pressure warning valves, trans-
mitters and tire valve caps●
When removing or fitting the wheels,
tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your
Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters may be
damaged if not handled correctly.
●
Make sure to install the tire valve caps.
If the tire valve caps are not installed,
water may enter the valves of the tire
pressure warning valve and transmit-
ters and the valves may become stuck.
●
When replacing tire valve caps, do not
use tire valve caps other than those
specified. The cap may become stuck. Initializing the tire pressure
warning system
3936-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 6
Maintenance and care 5 Press or to select “Vehicle
Settings” and then press .
6 Press or to select “TPWS”
and then press .
7 Press or to select “Set
Pressure”. Then press and hold
until the tire pressure warning light
blinks 3 times.Then a message will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
“--” will be displayed on the multiinforma-
tion display for the inflation pressure of
each tire while initia lization is being per-
formed.
8 Drive straight (with occasional left
and right turns) at approximately
25 mph (40 km/h) or more for
approximately 10 to 30 minutes.Initialization is complete when the position
of each tire is determined and the inflation
pressure of each tire is displayed on the
multi-information display.
Initialization may take longer than approxi-
mately 1 hour in certain situations, such as
when the vehicle is stopped for a long time
at traffic lights, etc. ( → P.393)
■
Initialization procedure
●
Make sure to perform the initialization
procedure after adjusting the tire inflation
pressure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before performing the initia lization procedure or
adjusting the tire inflation pressure. ●
If the engine switch is turned off during
initialization, it is no t necessary to restart
the initialization procedure from the
beginning as it will begin automatically
when the engine switch is turned back to
IGNITION ON mode. ●
If initialization has accidentally been
started when it is not necessary, adjust
the tire inflation pressure to the specified
level when the tires are cold and then
perform the initiali zation procedure
again. ●
While the position of each tire is being
determined and the inflation pressures
are not being displayed on the
multi-information display, if the inflation
pressure of a tire drops, the tire pressure
warning light will come on. ■
If the tire pressure warning system is not
initialized properly ●
In the following situations, initialization
may take longer than usual to be com-
pleted or may not be possible. (Usually,
the vehicle will need to be driven for
approximately 10 to 30 minutes to com-
plete initialization.) If initialization is not
complete after drivin g approximately 30
minutes, continue driving for a while.
• If the vehicle is driven on an unpaved
road, it may take longer to complete ini-
tialization.
• If the vehicle is backed up while perform-
ing initialization, data collected during ini-
tialization will be cleared and it will take
longer than normal to complete.
• If the vehicle is driven in heavy traffic or
another situation where other vehicles
are driven close by, it may take time for
the system to recognize the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitters of your
vehicle over those of other vehicles.
If initialization is not complete after driving
for approximately 1 hour, park the vehicle in
a safe place for approximately 20 minutes
and then drive the vehicle again.
●
In the following situations, initialization
will not be started or was not completed
properly and the system will not operate
properly. Perform the initialization proce-
3956-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 6
Maintenance and care codes. If the system is initialized before
registering the ID co des, the initialized
values will be invalid.●
As the tires will be warm when registra-
tion is completed, ma ke sure to allow the
tires to cool before performing initializa-
tion.■
Canceling ID code registration●
To cancel ID code registration after it has
been started, turn th e engine switch off
before driving the vehicle.
If the vehicle is driven after ID code regis-
tration is started, to cancel registration,
perform the ID code registration start
procedure again and turn the engine
switch off before driving.●
If ID code registration has been canceled,
the tire pressure warning light will blink
for approximately 1 minute when the
engine switch is turned to IGNITION
ON mode and then illuminate. The tire
pressure warning system will be opera-
tional when the tire pressure warning
light turns off.●
If the warning light does not turn off even
after several minutes have elapsed, ID
code registration may not have been can-
celled correctly. To ca ncel registration,
perform the ID code registration start
procedure again and th en turn the engine
switch off before driving.■
If ID codes are not registered properly●
In the following situat ions, ID code regis-
tration may take longer than usual to be
completed or may not be possible. (Usu-
ally, the vehicle will need to be driven for
approximately 10 to 30 minutes to com-
plete ID code registration.)
If ID code registration is not complete
after driving for approximately 30 min-
utes, continue driving for a while.
• If the vehicle is driven on an unpaved
road, it may take longer than normal to
complete registration.
• If the vehicle is backed up while perform-
ing registration, data collected during
registration will be cleared, and it will take
longer than normal to complete.
• If the vehicle is driven in heavy traffic or
another situation where other vehicles
are driven close by, it may take time for the system to recognize the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitters of your
vehicle over those of other vehicles.
•If a wheel with a ti re pressure warning
valve and transmitter in stalled is inside or
near the vehicle, registration of the ID
codes for the installed wheels may not be
possible.
If ID registration is not complete after driv-
ing for approximately 1 hour, park the vehi-
cle in a safe place for approximately 20
minutes and then perform the ID code reg-
istration procedure again. ●
In the following situations, ID code regis-
tration will not be started or was not com-
pleted properly and the system will not
operate properly. Pe rform the ID code
registration procedure again.
• If, when attempting to start ID code regis-
tration, the tire pressure warning light
does not blink slowly 3 times.
• If, when the vehicle has been driven for
about 20 minutes after performing ID
code registration, the tire pressure warn-
ing light blinks for approximately 1 minute
and then illuminates. ●
If ID code registration cannot be com-
pleted after performing the above proce-
dure, contact your Lexus dealer.
412 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7-2.Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be
towed If towing is ne cessary, we recom-
mend having your vehicle towed by
your Lexus dealer or commercial
towing service, using a wheel-lift
type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all
towing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws. WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury. ■
When towing the vehicle
2WD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the driv etrain and related
parts may be damaged or an accident
may occur due to a change in direction
of the vehicle.
AWD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the driv etrain or related
parts may be damaged, the vehicle may
fly off the truck.
■
While towing ●
When towing using cables or chains,
avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets,
cables or chains. The towing eyelets,
cables or chains may become dam-
aged, broken debris may hit people,
and cause serious damage.
●
Make sure to disable all functions of
the vehicle height control of the elec-
tronically modulated air suspension.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change and part of your body may be
caught under the vehicle, possibly
causing injury. ( → P.293)
●
Do not turn the engine switch off.
This may lead to an accident as the
rear wheels will be locked by the park-
ing lock.
Also, there is a possibility that the
steering wheel is locked and cannot be
operated.