
4337-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 7
When trouble arises ■
When the electronic key does not work 
properly●
Make sure that the smart access system 
with push-button start has not been dis-
abled at your Lexus dealer. If it has been 
disabled, re-enable it.●
Check if battery-saving mode is set. If it is 
set, cancel the function. (  P.113)
■
Unlocking the door
Use the mechanical key (  P.98) in 
order to perform the following opera-
tions: 1 Pull the driver’s door handle and 
insert the mechanical key.
2 Unlock the door.
3 Remove the key, return the handle, 
and then pull the handle again. ■
Locking the door
1 With the door open, push down the 
inside lock button.
2 Close the door. ■
Trunk
Turn the mechanical key clockwise to 
open. (  P.65)If the electronic key does not 
operate properly If communication between the 
electronic key and vehicle is inter-
rupted (  P.113) or the electronic 
key cannot be used because the 
battery is depleted, the smart 
access system with push-button 
start and wireless remote control 
cannot be used. In such cases, the 
doors and trunk can be opened and 
the engine can be started by follow-
ing the procedure below.
NOTICE■
In case of a smart access system with 
push-button start malfunction or 
other key-related problems
Take your vehicle with  all the electronic 
keys provided with your vehicle to your 
Lexus dealer.
Locking and unlocking the 
doors, unlocking the trunk 

434 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 ■
Key linked functions
1 Closes the windows and the moon 
roof *
 or panoramic moon roof *
 
(turn and hold)
2 Opens the windows and the moon 
roof *
 or panoramic moon roof *
 
(turn and hold)These settings must be  customized at your 
Lexus dealer. *
:If equipped 1 Depress the brake pedal.
2 Touch the Lexus emblem side of the 
electronic key to the engine switch. When the electronic key is detected, a 
buzzer sounds and the engine switch will 
turn to IGNITION ON mode.
When the smart access system with 
push-button start is deactivated in custom-
ization setting,  the engine switch will turn 
to ACCESSORY mode.
3 Firmly depress the brake pedal and 
check that   is shown on the 
multi-information display.
4 Press the engine switch.
In the event that the engine still cannot 
be started, contact your Lexus dealer. ■
Stopping the engine
Set the parking brake, shift the shift position 
to P and press the engine switch as you nor-
mally do when stop ping the engine.
■
Electronic key battery
As the above procedure is a temporary 
measure, it is recommended that the elec-
tronic key battery be replaced immediately 
when the battery is depleted. (  P.399)
■
Changing engine switch modes
Release the brake pe dal and press the 
engine switch in step  3  above. The engine 
does not start and modes will be changed 
each time the switch is pressed. (  P.166)WARNING
■
When using the mechanical key and 
operating the power windows or the 
moon roof or panoramic moon roof
Operate the power window or the moon 
roof or panoramic moon roof after 
checking to make sure that there is no 
possibility of any passe nger having any of 
their body parts caught in the window or 
the moon roof or panoramic moon roof.
Also, do not allow ch ildren to operate the 
mechanical key. It is possible for children 
and other passengers to get caught in 
the power window or the moon roof or 
panoramic moon roof. Starting the engine 

4357-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 7
When trouble arises If you have a set of jumper (or booster) 
cables and a second vehicle with a 
12-volt battery, you can jump start your 
vehicle by following the steps below. 
Method connecting jumper (or 
booster) cables to the battery
1 Confirm that the electronic key is 
being carried. When connecting the jumper (or booster) 
cables, depending on the situation, the 
alarm may activate and doors locked. 
(  P.66)
2 Open the trunk lid and remove the 
luggage mat. (  P.340)In the event that the trunk opener cannot 
be used, use the mechanical key to open 
the trunk. (  P.433)
3 Connect a positive jumper cable clamp  to   on your vehicle and connect the 
clamp on the other end of the positive cab le to   on the second vehicle. Then, 
connect a negative cable clamp to   on the second vehicle and connect the 
clamp at the other end of the negative cable to  .
Positive (+) battery terminal (your vehicle)
Positive (+) battery terminal (second vehicle)
Negative (-) battery terminal (second vehicle)
Negative (-) battery terminal (your vehicle)If the vehicle battery is dis-
charged The following procedures may be 
used to start the engine if the vehi-
cle’s battery is discharged.
You can also call your Lexus dealer 
or a qualified repair shop.
Restarting the engine
A
B
C
D
A
B
C
D 

436 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 4 Start the engine of the second vehi-
cle. Increase the engine speed 
slightly and maintain at that level for 
approximately 5 minutes to 
recharge the battery of your vehi-
cle.
5 Open and close any of the doors of 
your vehicle with the engine switch 
off.
6 Maintain the engine speed of the 
second vehicle and start the engine 
of your vehicle by turning the 
engine switch to IGNITION ON 
mode.
7 Once the vehicle’s engine has 
started, remove the jumper cables 
in the exact reverse order from 
which they were connected. 
Method connecting jumper (or 
booster) cables to the exclusive 
jump starting terminal
1 Confirm that the electronic key is 
being carried.When connecting the jumper (or booster) 
cables, depending on  the situation, the 
alarm may activate and doors locked. 
(  P.66) 2 Open the hood. Remove the pas-
senger side engine compartment 
cover. (  P.371, 374)
3 Remove the service 
cover.(  P.375)
4 Open the fuse box cover. Push the tab in and lift the lid off.
5 Open the exclusive jump starting 
terminal cover.
6 Connect a positive jumper cable clamp  to   on your vehicle and connect the 
clamp on the other end of the positive cab le to   on the second vehicle. Then,  A
B 

4377-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 7
When trouble arises connect a negative cable clamp to   on the second vehicle and connect the 
clamp at the other end of the negative cable to  .
Exclusive jump starting terminal (your vehicle)
Positive (+) battery terminal (second vehicle)
Negative (-) battery terminal (second vehicle)
Solid, stationary, unpainted metallic point  away from the exclusive jump starting 
terminal and any mo ving parts as shown in the illustration
7 Start the engine of the second vehi-
cle. Increase the engine speed 
slightly and maintain at that level for 
approximately 5 minutes to 
recharge the battery of your vehi-
cle.
8 Open and close any of the doors of 
your vehicle with the engine switch 
off.
9 Maintain the engine speed of the 
second vehicle and start the engine 
of your vehicle by turning the 
engine switch to IGNITION ON 
mode.
10 Once the vehicle’s engine has 
started, remove the jumper cables 
in the exact reverse order from 
which they were connected. 11 Close the exclusive jump starting 
terminal cover, and reinstall the fuse 
box cover to its original position.
12 Install the service cover.(  P.375)
13 Install the engine compartment 
cover.
Once the engine starts, have the vehi-
cle inspected at your Lexus dealer as 
soon as possible. ■
Starting the engine when the battery is 
discharged
The engine cannot be  started by push-start-
ing.
■
To prevent battery discharge
●
Turn off the headlights and the audio sys-
tem while the engine is off.
●
Turn off any unnecessary electrical com-
ponents when the vehicle is running at a  C
D
A
B
C
D 

438 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 low speed for an extended period, such 
as in heavy traffic.■
When the battery is removed or dis-
charged●
Information stored in the ECU is cleared. 
When the battery is depleted, have the 
vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer.●
Some systems may require initialization. 
(  P.481)■
When removing the battery terminals
When the battery terminals are removed, 
the information stored in the ECU is 
cleared. Before removi ng the battery termi-
nals, contact your Lexus dealer. ■
Charging the battery
The electricity stored in the battery will dis-
charge gradually even when the vehicle is 
not in use, due to natural discharge and the 
draining effects of certain electrical appli-
ances. If the vehicle is left for a long time, 
the battery may discharge, and the engine 
may be unable to start. (The battery 
recharges automatically during driving.) ■
When recharging or replacing the bat-
tery●
In some cases, it may not be possible to 
unlock the doors using the smart access 
system with push-button start when the 
battery is discharged. Use the wireless 
remote control or the mechanical key to 
lock or unlock the doors.●
The engine may not start on the first 
attempt after the battery has recharged 
but will start normally  after the second 
attempt. This is not a malfunction.●
The engine switch mode is memorized by 
the vehicle. When the battery is recon-
nected, the system will return to the 
mode it was in before the battery was dis-
charged. Before di sconnecting the bat-
tery, turn the engine switch off.
If you are unsure what mode the engine 
switch was in befo re the battery dis-
charged, be especially careful when 
reconnecting the battery.
■
When replacing the battery
●
Use a Central Degassing type battery 
(European Regulations). ●
Use a battery with the same case size as 
the previous battery and an equivalent 
20 hour rate capacity (20HR) or greater.
• If the sizes differ, the battery cannot be 
properly secured.
• If the 20 hour rate capacity is low, even if 
the time period where the vehicle is not 
used is a short time, the battery may dis-
charge and the engine may not be able to 
start. ●
Use a battery with a handle. If a battery 
without a handle is used, removal is more 
difficult. ●
After replacing, firm ly attach the follow-
ing items to the exhaust hole of the bat-
tery.
• Use the exhaust hose that was attached 
to the battery before replacing and con-
firm that it is firmly connected to the hole 
section of the vehicle.
• Use the exhaust hole plug included with 
the battery replaced or the one installed 
on the battery prior to the replacement. 
(Depending on the battery to be 
replaced, the exhaust hole may be 
plugged.)
Exhaust hole plug
Exhaust hole
Exhaust hose
For details, consult your Lexus dealer. A
B
C 

4397-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 7
When trouble arises WARNING■
When removing the battery terminals
Always remove the negative (-) terminal 
first. If the positive (+) terminal contacts 
any metal in the surrounding area when 
the positive (+) terminal is removed, a 
spark may occur, leadin g to a fire in addi-
tion to electrical shocks and death or 
serious injury. ■
Avoiding battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to 
prevent accidentally  igniting the flamma-
ble gas that may be emitted from the bat-
tery: ●
Make sure each jumper cable is con-
nected to the correct terminal and that 
it is not unintentiona lly in contact with 
any other than the intended terminal.●
Do not allow the other end of the 
jumper cable connected to the “+” ter-
minal to come into contact with any 
other parts or metal surfaces in the 
area, such as brackets or unpainted 
metal.●
Do not allow the + and - clamps of the 
jumper cables to come into contact 
with each other.
●
Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette 
lighters or allow open flame near the 
battery.
■
Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and cor-
rosive acidic electrolyte, while related 
parts contain lead and lead compounds. 
Observe the following precautions when 
handling the battery:
●
When working with the battery, always 
wear safety glasses and take care not 
to allow any battery fluids (acid) to 
come into contact with skin, clothing 
or the vehicle body.
●
Do not lean over the battery. ●
In the event that battery fluid comes 
into contact with the skin or eyes, 
immediately wash the affected area 
with water and seek medical attention. 
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the 
affected area until medical attention 
can be received. ●
Always wash your ha nds after handling 
the battery support, terminals, and 
other battery-related parts. ●
Do not allow children near the battery. ■
After recharging the battery
Have the battery inspected at your Lexus 
dealer as soon as possible.
If the battery is deteriorating, continued 
use may cause the battery to emit a mal-
odorous gas, which  may be detrimental 
to the health of passengers. ■
When replacing the battery ●
When the vent plug and indicator are 
close to the hold down clamp, the bat-
tery fluid (sulfuric acid) may leak. ●
For information regarding battery 
replacement, contact your Lexus 
dealer. ●
After replacing, se curely attach the 
exhaust hose and exhaust hole plug to 
the exhaust hole of the replaced bat-
tery. If not properly installed, gases 
(hydrogen) may leak  into the vehicle 
interior, and there is the possible dan-
ger of the gas igniting and exploding.
NOTICE
■
When handling jumper cables
When connecting the jumper cables, 
ensure that they do not become entan-
gled in the cooling fan or engine drive 
belt.
■
To prevent damaging the vehicle
The exclusive jump starting terminal is to 
be used when chargi ng the battery from 
another vehicle in an emergency. It can-
not be used to jump start another vehicle. 

440 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 1 Stop the vehicle in a safe place and 
turn off the air conditioning system, 
and then stop the engine.
2 If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the 
steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
3 After the engine has cooled down 
sufficiently, inspect the hoses and  radiator core (radiator) for any 
leaks.
Radiators
Cooling fan If a large amount of coolant leaks, immedi-
ately contact your Lexus dealer.
4 The coolant level is satisfactory if it 
is between the “F” and “L” lines on 
the reservoir.
 Engine
Reservoir
“F” line
“L” line
Coolant inlet cap
 IntercoolerIf your vehicle overheats The following may indicate that 
your vehicle is overheating.
 The engine coolant temperature 
gauge (  P.73, 76) is in the red 
zone or a loss of engine power is 
experienced. (For example, the 
vehicle speed does not increase.)
 “Engine Coolant Temp High Stop 
in a Safe Place See Owner’s 
Manual” is shown on the 
multi-information display.
 Steam comes out from under the 
hood.
Correction procedures A
B
A
B
C
D