Page 145 of 432
1454-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Trailer towing
Lexus does not recommend towing
a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus
also does not recommend the
installation of a tow hitch or the use
of a tow hitch carrier for a wheel-
chair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your
vehicle is not designed for trailer
towing or for the use of tow hitch
mounted carriers.
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be
dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehi-
cle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four
wheels on the ground.
Page 146 of 432

1464-2. Driving procedures
4-2.Driving procedures
1Press the parking brake switch to
check that the parking brake is set.
(P.168)
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.69)
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 12-volt batte ry is discharged
The engine cannot be started using the
smart access system with push-button start.
Refer to P.358 to restart the engine.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P.102
Engine (ignition) switch
(LC500)
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
Page 147 of 432

1474-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Conditions affecting operation
P.115
■Notes for the entry function
P.115
■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 turn-
ing the steering wheel in either direction”
will be displayed on the multi-information
display.
Press the engine switch shortly and firmly
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.
■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.
■Electronic key battery
P.318
■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 th
e engine switch off,
the engine may not start in some cases.
After turning the engine switch off, please
wait a few seconds be fore restarting the
engine.
■Customization
If the smart access system with push-button
start has been deactivated in a customized
setting, refe r to P.355.
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.
Page 148 of 432

1484-2. Driving procedures
1Stop the vehicle completely.
2 If the parking brake is in manual
mode, set the parking brake.
(P.168)
3 Shift the shift position to P.
(P.158)
Check that the shift position indicator
shows P. ( P.157)
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 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 engine 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.
3IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the
Stopping the engine
WARNING
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
●If you want to stop the engine in an
emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for
more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession.
( P.326)
However, do not touch the engine
switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine 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 engine 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 engine after an
emergency shutdown, press the
engine switch.
Changing engine switch modes
Page 149 of 432

1494-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
meter.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode
for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION
ON mode (the engine is not running) for
more than an hour with the shift position in
P, the engine switch will automatically turn
off. However, this fu nction cannot entirely
prevent the 12-volt battery discharge. Do
not leave the vehicle with the engine switch
in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time when the engine is
not running.
■When the shift control system malfunc-
tions
When attempting to turn the engine switch
off while there is a malfunction in the shift
control system, the engine 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 engine switch again. If there is a mal-
function in the system, have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.1 Press the parking brake switch to
check that the parking brake is set.
(P.168)
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 hybrid system can-
not be started.
When the shift position is N, the hybrid sys-
tem cannot start. Shift the shift position to P
when starting the hybrid system. ( P.164)
3 Press the power switch shortly and
firmly.
When operating the power switch, one
short, firm press is enough. It is not neces-
sary to press and hold the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on, the
hybrid system will operate normally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until
the “READY” indicat or is illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started from any
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in
ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON
mode for long period s of time without
the engine running.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION
ON” is displayed on the meter, the
engine switch is not off.
Exit the vehicle after turning the
engine switch off.
Power (ignition) switch
(LC500h)
Performing the following opera-
tions when carrying the electronic
key on your person starts the hybrid
system or changes power switch
modes.
Starting the hybrid system
Page 150 of 432

1504-2. Driving procedures
power switch mode.
4Check that the “READY” indicator
is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a
flashing light to a solid light and the buzzer
sounds, the hybrid system is starting nor-
mally.
The vehicle will not move when the
“READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY”
indicator is on even if the engine is
stopped.(The gasoline engine starts or
stops automatically in accordance with the
state of the vehicle.)
■Power switch illumination
According to the situation, the power
switch illumination operates as follows.
●When a door is opened, or the power
switch mode is changed from ACCES-
SORY or ON mode to off, the power
switch illumination slowly blinks.
●When depressing the brake pedal with
carrying the electron ic key on your per-
son, the power switch illumination rapidly
blinks.
●When the power swit ch is in ACCES-
SORY or ON mode, the power switch
illumination illuminates.
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have
been deactivated. ( P.69)
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.
■When the ambient temperature is low,
such as during winter driving conditions
●When starting the hybrid system, the
flashing time of the “READY” indicator
may be long. Leave the ve hicle as it is until
the “READY” indicator is steady on, as
steady means the vehicle is able to move.
●When the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is extremely cold (below approxi-
mately -22°F [-30°C]) under the
influence of the outside temperature, it
may not be possible to start the hybrid
system. In this case, try to start the hybrid
system again after the temperature of the
hybrid battery increases due to the out-
side temperature increase etc.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a
hybrid vehicle
P.63
■If the 12-volt batte ry is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started using
the smart access syst em with push-button
start. Refer to P.358 to restart the hybrid
system.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P.102
■Conditions affecting operation
P.115
■Notes for the entry function
P.115
■Steering lock function
●After turning the power 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 power
switch again automatically cancels the
steering lock.
●When the steering lock cannot be
released, “Push power switch while turn-
ing the steering wheel in either direction”
will be displayed on the multi-information
display.
Press the power switch shortly and firmly
while turning the steering wheel left and
right.
Page 151 of 432

1514-2. Driving procedures
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.67
■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.168)
3 Shift the shift position to P.
(P.164)
Check that the shift position indicator
shows P. ( P.163)
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
Page 152 of 432

1524-2. Driving procedures
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.164
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