
112 3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 ■
Effective range (areas within which the
electronic key is detected)
When locking or unlocking the doors
The system can be operated when the
electronic key is within about 2.3 ft. (0.7 m)
of an outside door handle. (Only the doors
detecting the key can be operated.)
When opening the trunk
The system can be operated when the
electronic key is within about 2.3 ft. (0.7 m)
of the trunk release button.
When starting the engine or changing
engine switch modes
The system can be operated when the
electronic key is inside the vehicle. ■
Alarms and warning messages
An alarm sounds and warning messages
are displayed on the multi-information dis-
play to protect against unexpected acci-
dents or theft of the vehicle resulting from
erroneous operation. When a warning mes-
sage is displayed, take appropriate mea-
sures based on the displayed message.
( P.425)
When only an alarm sounds, circumstances
and correction procedures are as follows.
●
When an exterior alarm sounds once for
5 seconds ●
When an interior alarm sounds continu-
ously
■
If “Key Detected in Vehicle” is shown on
the multi-information display
An attempt was made to lock the doors
using the smart access system with
push-button start while the electronic key
was still inside the vehicle. Retrieve the elec-
tronic key from the vehicle and lock the
doors again.
■
Battery-saving function
The battery-saving function will be acti-
vated in order to prevent the electronic key
battery and the battery from being dis-
charged while the vehicle is not in operation
for a long time.
●
In the following situations, the smart
access system with pu sh-button start may A
B
C Situation Correction
procedure
An attempt was made to
lock the vehicle while a
door was open. Close all of the
doors and lock
the doors
again.
The trunk was closed
while the electronic key
was still inside the trunk
and all the doors were
locked. Retrieve the
electronic key
from the trunk
and close the
trunk lid.
Situation Correction
procedure
The engine switch was
turned to ACCESSORY
mode while the driver’s
door was open (The
driver’s door was opened
when the engine switch
was in ACCESSORY
mode). Turn the engine
switch off and
close the
driver’s door.
The engine switch was
turned off while the
driver’s door was open. Close the
driver’s door.

1133-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 3
Before driving take some time to unlock the doors.
• The electronic key has been left in an
area of approximately 6 ft. (2 m) of the
outside of the vehicle for 10 minutes or
longer.
• The smart access system with push-but-
ton start has not been used for 5 days or
longer.●
If the smart access system with push-but-
ton start has not been used for 14 days or
longer, the doors cannot be unlocked at
any doors except the driver’s door. In this
case, take hold of the driver’s door han-
dle, or use the wireless remote control or
the mechanical key, to unlock the doors.■
Turning an electronic key to bat-
tery-saving mode
When battery-saving mode is set, battery
depletion is minimized by stopping the elec-
tronic key from re ceiving radio waves.
Press twice while pressing and holding
. Confirm that the electronic key indica-
tor flashes 4 times.
While the battery-saving mode is set, the
smart access system with push-button start
cannot be used. To cancel the function,
press any of the electronic key buttons.
■
Conditions affe cting operation
The smart access system with push-button
start uses weak radio waves. In the following
situations, the communication between the
electronic key and the vehicle may be
affected, preventing the smart access sys-
tem with push-button start, wireless remote
control and engine immobilizer system
from operating properly. (Ways of coping:
P.433)
●
When the electronic key battery is
depleted
●
Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio stat ion, large display,
airport or other fac ility that generates
strong radio waves or electrical noise ●
When carrying a portable radio, cellular
phone, cordless phone or other wireless
communication device ●
When the electronic key is in contact
with, or is covered by the following metal-
lic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil
inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
•Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs ●
When other wireless keys (that emit radio
waves) are being used nearby ●
When carrying the electronic key
together with the following devices that
emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a
wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal digital
assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems ●
If window tint with a metallic content or
metallic objects are attached to the rear
window ●
When the electronic key is placed near a
battery charger or electronic devices ●
When the vehicle is parked in a pay park-
ing spot where radio waves are emitted. ■
Note for the entry function ●
Even when the electronic key is within the
effective range (detection areas), the sys-
tem may not operate properly in the fol-
lowing cases:
• The electronic key is too close to the win-
dow or outside door handle, near the
ground, or in a high place when the doors
are locked or unlocked.
• The electronic key is near the ground or
in a high place, or too close to the center
of the rear bumper when the trunk is
opened.
• The electronic key is on the instrument
panel, rear package tray or floor, or in the
door pockets or glove box when the

114 3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 engine is started or engine switch modes
are changed.●
Do not leave the electronic key on top of
the instrument panel or near the door
pockets when exiting the vehicle.
Depending on the radio wave reception
conditions, it may be detected by the
antenna outside the cabin and the doors
will become lockable from the outside,
possibly trapping the electronic key
inside the vehicle.●
As long as the electron ic key is within the
effective range, the doors may be locked
or unlocked by anyone. However, only
the doors detecting the electronic key
can be used to unlock the vehicle.●
Even if the electronic key is not inside the
vehicle, it may be possible to start the
engine if the electronic key is near the
window.●
The doors may unlock or lock if a large
amount of water spla shes on the door
handle, such as in the rain or in a car
wash, when the electronic key is within
the effective range. (The doors will auto-
matically be locked after approximately
60 seconds if the d oors are not opened
and closed.)●
If the wireless remote control is used to
lock the doors when the electronic key is
near the vehicle, there is a possibility that
the door may not be unlocked by the
entry function. (Use the wireless remote
control to unlock the doors.)●
Touching the door lock sensor while
wearing gloves may delay or prevent lock
operation.●
When the lock operation is performed
using the lock sensor, recognition signals
will be shown up to two consecutive
times. After this, no recognition signals
will be given.
●
If the door handle becomes wet while the
electronic key is within the effective
range, the door may lock and unlock
repeatedly. In this case, follow the follow-
ing correction procedures to wash the
vehicle:
• Place the electronic key in a location 6 ft.
(2 m) or more away from the vehicle.
(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.113)●
If the electronic key is inside the vehicle
and a door handle becomes wet during a
car wash, a message may be shown on
the multi-information display and a
buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To
turn off the alarm, lock all the doors. ●
The lock sensor may not work properly if
it comes into contact with ice, snow, mud,
etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to
operate it again. ●
A sudden approach to the effective
range or door handle may prevent the
doors from being unlocked. In this case,
return the door handle to the original
position and check that the doors unlock
before pulling the door handle again. ●
If there is another electronic key in the
detection area, it may take slightly longer
to unlock the doors after the door handle
is gripped. ■
When the vehicle is not driven for
extended periods ●
To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not
leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2 m)
of the vehicle. ●
The smart access system with push-but-
ton start can be deactivated in advance. ●
Setting the electronic key to battery-sav-
ing mode helps to reduce key battery
depletion. ( P.113)■
To operate the system properly ●
Make sure to carry the electronic key
when operating the system. Do not get
the electronic key too close to the vehicle
when operating the system from the out-
side of the vehicle.
Depending on the position and holding
condition of the electr onic key, the key may
not be detected correctly and the system
may not operate properly. (The alarm may
go off accidentally, or the door lock pre-
vention function may not operate.)
●
Do not leave the electr onic key inside the
trunk.

164 4-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 4-2.Driving procedures
1 Press the parking brake switch to
check that the parking brake is set.
( P.174)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.63)
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.435 to restart the engine. ■
Electronic key battery depletion
P.96 ■
Conditions affecting operation
P.113 ■
Notes for the entry function
P.113
■
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

1654-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 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.399■
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.433. 1 Stop the vehicle completely.
2 If the parking brake is in manual
mode, set the parking brake.
( P.174)
3 Shift the shift position to P.
( P.170) Check that the shift position indicator
shows P and the parking brake indicator is
illuminated.
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-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

180 4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on th e sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detect-
ing the level of ambient light and may cause
the automatic headlight system to malfunc-
tion. ■
Automatic light off system●
When the headlights are on: The head-
lights and tail lights tu rn off 30 seconds
after the driver’s door is opened and
closed if the engine switch is turned to
ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The
lights turn off immediately if on the
key is pressed after all the doors are
closed.)●
When only the tail lights are on: The tail
lights turn off automatically if the engine
switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode
or turned off and the driver’s door is
opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine
switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the
light switch off once and then back to
or . ■
Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is
turned off or turned to 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.
■
Battery-saving function
In order to prevent the battery of the vehicle from discharging, if the headlights and/or
tail lights are on when the engine switch is
turned off the battery saving function will
operate and automatically turn off all the
lights after approximately 20 minutes.
When the engine switch is turned to IGNI-
TION ON mode, the battery-saving func-
tion will be disabled.
When any of the following are performed,
the battery-saving function is canceled
once and then reactivated. All the lights will
turn off automatically 20 minutes after the
Battery- saving function has been reacti-
vated: ●
When the headlight switch is operated●
When a door is opened or closed ■
Welcome light illumination control
The parking lights and tail lights automati-
cally turn on at night when the doors are
unlocked using the entr y function or wire-
less remote control if the light switch is in
the position. ■
Customization
Some functions can be customized.
( P.466)
1 With the headlights on, push the NOTICE■
To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than
necessary when the engine is not run-
ning.
Turning on the high beam head-
lights

334 5-4. Using the interior lights
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 ■
Illuminated entry system
The lights automatically turn on/off accord-
ing to the engine switch mode, the pres-
ence of the electronic key, whether the
doors are locked/unlocked, and whether
the doors are opened/closed. ■
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged
If the interior lights remain on when the
engine switch is turned off, the lights will go
off automatically after 20 minutes. ■
When front interior light or front per-
sonal lights do not respond as normal●
When water, dirt, et c., have adhered to
the lens surface●
When operated with a wet hand●
When wearing gloves, etc.■
The interior lights may turn on automati-
cally when
If any of the SRS airbags deploy (inflate) or
in the event of a strong rear impact, the inte-
rior lights will turn on automatically.
The interior lights will turn off automatically
after approximately 20minutes.
The interior lights can be turned off manu-
ally. However, in order to help prevent fur-
ther collisions, it is recommended that they
be left on until sa fety can be ensured.
(The interior lights may not turn on auto-
matically depending on the force of the
impact and conditions of the collision.) ■
Customization
Some functions can be customized.
( P.466)
NOTICE
■
To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than
necessary when the engine is not run-
ning. ■
Removing light lenses
Never remove th e lens for the front inte-
rior light and front personal lights. Other-
wise, the lights will be damaged. If a lens
needs to be removed, contact your Lexus
dealer.

357
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 6 6
Maintenance and care Maintenance and care .
6-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehi-
cle exterior ................................ 358
Cleaning and protecting the vehi-
cle interior .................................. 361
6-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
........................................................ 364
General maintenance ............. 365
Emission inspection and mainte-
nance (I/M) programs ......... 368
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
........................................................ 369
Hood................................................ 371
Positioning a floor jack............. 371
Engine compartment............... 373
Battery ........................................... 380
Tires ................................................ 382
Replacing the tire ....................... 391
Tire inflation pressure .............. 395
Wheels........................................... 396
Air conditioning filter............... 398
Electronic key battery ............. 399
Checking and replacing fuses
......................................................... 401
Light bulbs .................................... 404