
1534-2. Driving procedures
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 

1554-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
tor pedal is depressed too much) may be 
displayed. Drive the vehicle for a while 
before attempting to turn on the EV drive 
mode again.
*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 engine switch is off or in 
ACCESSORY mode, the shift position 
cannot be changed.
●When the engine swit ch is in IGNITION 
ON mode, the shift position can only be 
changed to N.
●When the engine is running, the shift 
position can be changed from P to D, N 
or R.
●The shift position can only be changed to 
M directly from D.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV  drive mode, pay spe-
cial attention to the area around the vehi-
cle. Because there is no engine noise, 
pedestrians, people riding bicycles or 
other people and vehicles in the area 
may not be aware of the vehicle starting 
off or approaching th em, so take extra 
care while driving. Th erefore, take extra 
care while driving even if the vehicle 
proximity notification  system is active.
Automatic transmission 
(LC500)
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 engine
RReversing
N
Neutral
(Condition in which the 
power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2 (  P.160) 

1584-2. Driving procedures
Shift lever display:
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 12-volt battery 
drops while the shift po sition is in a posi-
tion other than P
*:When the engine swit ch is pressed while 
WARNING
■For the shift lever
●Do not remove the shift 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
4
Driving
shift only).
 When vehicle speed increases 
(upshift only).
 When the accelerator pedal is firmly 
depressed.
 When it is necessary to protect the 
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 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 signals can be operated when
The engine switch 
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 

1694-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
2Pull the switch to release the park-
ing brake
• Operate the parking brake switch while 
depressing the brake pedal.
• Using the parking brake automatic  release function, the parking brake can 
be released by depressing the accelera-
tor pedal. When using this function, 
slowly depress the  accelerator pedal.
Make sure that the pa rking brake indicator 
light turn off.
■Turning the automatic mode on
While the vehicle is stopped, press and 
hold the parking brake switch until a 
message is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display
When the automatic mode is turned 
on, the parking brake operates as fol-
lows.
 When the shift position is shifted 
from P, the parking brake will be 
released, and the parking brake 
indicator light turn off.
 When the shift position is shifted to 
P, the parking brake will be set, and 
the parking brake indicator light 
turn on.
Operate the shift lever and P position 
switch with the vehicle stopped and the 
brake pedal depressed.
■Turning the automatic mode off
While the vehicle is stopped, pull and 
hold the parking brake switch until a 
message is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display
■Parking brake operation
●When the engine switch 
is not in IGNITION ON mode 
released using the parking brake switch.
●When the engine switch 
is not in IGNITION ON mode 
brake setting and releasing) is not avail-
able.
■Parking brake automatic release func-
tion
●When the shift position is shifted from P, 
the parking brake will be released in 
automatic mode.
●When all of the follo wing conditions are 
met in manual mode, the parking brake 
can be released by depressing the accel-
erator pedal.
• The driver’s door is closed
• The driver is wearing the seat belt
• The shift position is in D, M or R
■If “EPB frequently operated Wait a min-
ute” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly 
over a short period of time, the system may 
restrict operation to prevent overheating. If 
this happens, refrain from operating the 
parking brake. Normal operation will return 
after about 1 minute. 

1704-2. Driving procedures
■If “EPB Activation Stopped Incom-
pletely” or “EPB unavailable” is dis-
played on the multi-information display
Operate the parking brake switch. If the 
message does not disappear after operat-
ing the switch several times, the system may 
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle 
inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor 
sound (whirring sound)  may be heard. This 
does not indicate a malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light
●Depending on the engine switch 
tor light will turn on and stay on as 
described below: 
IGNITION ON mode 
Comes on until the parking brake is 
released. 
Not in IGNITION ON mode 
seconds.
●When the engine switch 
is turned off with the parking brake set, 
the parking brake indi cator light will stay 
on for about 15 seconds. This does not 
indicate a malfunction.
■When the parking brake switch mal-
functions
Automatic mode (automatic brake setting 
and releasing) will be turned on automati-
cally.
■Parking the vehicle
 P.136
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven 
with the parking brake engaged. “EPB 
applied” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display (with the vehicle reached a 
speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
■If the brake system warning light comes 
on
 P.335
■Usage in winter time
 P.238
WARNING
■When parking the vehicle
Do not leave a child in the vehicle alone. 
The parking brake may be released unin-
tentionally and there is the danger of the 
vehicle moving that may lead to an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, shift the 
shift position to P, set the parking brake 
and make sure that the vehicle does not 
move.
■When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and 
check the warning messages.
■When the parking brake cannot be 
released due to a malfunction
Driving the vehicle with the parking 
brake set will lead to brake components 
overheating, which may affect braking 
performance and increase brake wear.
Have the vehicle inspected by your 
Lexus dealer immediately if this occurs. 

1734-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
4-3.Operating the lights and wipers
Operating the   switch turns on 
the lights as follows:U.S.A.
Canada
1  The side marker, parking, tail, 
license plate, instrument panel 
lights, and daytime running lights 
turn on.
2  The headlights and all the 
lights listed above (except daytime 
running lights) turn on.
3  The headlights, daytime run-
ning lights and all the lights listed  above turn on and off automatically.
4  (U.S.A.) Off
 (Canada) The daytime running 
lights turn on.
■AUTO mode can be used when
The engine switch 
IGNITION ON mode 
■Daytime running light system
●The daytime running lights illuminate 
using the same lights as the parking lights 
and illuminate brighter than the parking 
lights.
●To make your vehicle more visible to 
other drivers during daytime driving, the 
daytime running lights turn on automati-
cally when all of the following conditions 
are met. (The daytime running lights are 
not designed for use at night.)
• The engine is running 
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch  is in the   (Can-
ada only),   or 
* position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after 
they illuminate, even if the parking brake is 
set again.
●For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights 
can be turned off by operating the head-
light switch to   position.
●Compared to turning on the headlights, 
the daytime running light system offers 
greater durability and consumes less 
electricity, so it can help improve fuel 
economy.
■Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if an 
object is placed on the sensor, or anything 
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield. 
Doing so interferes with the sensor detect-
ing the level of ambien t light and may cause 
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated 
manually or automatically.
Turning on the headlights
A
B 

1744-3. Operating the lights and wipers
the automatic headlight system to malfunc-
tion.
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The head-
lights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds 
after the driver’s door is opened and 
closed if the engine switch 
or turned off. (The lights turn off immedi-
ately if   on the ke y is pressed after 
all the doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail 
lights turn off automatically if the engine 
switch 
ACCESSORY mode or turned off and 
the driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine 
switch 
mode 
off once and then back to   or  .
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch 
ACCESSORY mode and the driver’s door 
is opened while the lights are turned on.
■Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatically 
adjusted according to the number of pas-
sengers and the loading condition of the 
vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not 
interfere with other road users.
■Windshield wiper linked headlight illu-
mination
When driving during daytime with the 
headlight switch turned to  , if the wind-
shield wipers are used, the headlights will 
turn on automatically after several seconds  to help enhance the visibility of your vehicle.
■12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the 12-volt battery of the 
vehicle from discharging, if the headlights 
and/or tail lights are on when the engine 
switch 
volt battery saving function will operate and 
automatically turn off all the lights after 
approximately 20 minutes. 
When the engine switch  
turned to IGNITION ON mode 
will be disabled.
When any of the following are performed, 
the 12-volt battery-saving function is can-
celed once and then reactivated. All the 
lights will turn off automatically 20 minutes 
after the 12-volt battery-saving function has 
been reactivated:
●When the headlight  switch is operated
●When a door is opened or closed
■Welcome light illumination control
The side marker, parking, tail and license 
plate lights automatically turn on at night 
when the doors are unlocked using the 
entry function or wireless remote control if 
the light switch is in the   position.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be 
changed. 
(Customizable features:  P.391)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than 
necessary when the engine is not running