
1694-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 4
Driving
Shift lever Operate the shift lever gently and securely
in the direction of the arrow on the shift
position indicator.
To shift to N, slide the shift lever in the
direction of the arrow and hold it.
Release the shift lever after each shifting
operation to allow it to return to its regular
position ( ).
Shifting to M is only possible when the shift
position is in D.
When shifting from P to N, D or R, from N,
D, M or R to P, from D or M to R, or from R
to D, ensure that the brake pedal is being
depressed and the vehicle is stationary.
Shift position indicator Meter display:
The current shift position is highlighted.
When any shift position other than D or M
is selected, the arrow toward M and the M
position indicator are displayed in gray.
Shift lever display:WARNING■
When driving on slippery road sur-
faces
Do not accelerate or shift the shift posi-
tion suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may
cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting
in an accident.
NOTICE■
Situations where sh ift control system
malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occurs,
shift control system malfunctions are
possible.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place on level ground, apply the parking
brake, and then contact your Lexus
dealer. ●
When the warning message indicating
the shift control syst em appears on the
multi-information display.●
The display indicates that no shift posi-
tion is selected for more than a few
seconds. Shifting the shift lever
A
B

1734-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 4
Driving changed in the following situations:
When vehicle speed drops (down-
shift only).
When it is necessary to protect the
engine or automatic transmission
when the engine coolant tempera-
ture is low, the automatic transmis-
sion 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 restriction 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.
3 Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it) The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
4 Left turn ■
Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in 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

176 4-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 ■
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 operation●
Depending on the engine switch mode,
the parking brake indi cator 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: Stays on
for approximately 15 seconds. ●
When the engine switch is turned off with
the parking brake set, the parking brake
indicator light will stay on for about 15
seconds. This does not indicate a mal-
function.■
When the parking brake switch mal-
functions
Automatic mode (automatic brake setting
and releasing) will be turned on automati-
cally. ■
Parking the vehicle
P.154■
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.415
■
Usage in winter time
P.300 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, set the
parking brake, shift the shift position to P
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.

1774-2. Driving procedures
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 4
Driving
Press the brake hold switch to turn the
system on The brake hold standby indicator (green)
comes on. While the system is holding
the brakes, the brake hold operated indica-
tor (yellow) comes on.
■
Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turned on
in the following conditions:
●
The driver’s door is not closed.
●
The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
If any of the conditions above are detected
when the brake hold system is enabled, the
system will turn off and the brake hold
standby indicator light will go off. In addi-
tion, if any of the conditions are detected
while the system is holding the brake, a
warning buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play. The parking brake will then be set
automatically. ■
Brake hold function ●
If the brake pedal is left released for a
period of about 3 mi nutes after the sys-
tem has started holding the brake, the
parking brake will be set automatically. In
this case, a warning buzzer sounds and a
message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display. ●
To turn the system off while the system is
holding the brake, firmly depress the
brake pedal and press the button again. ●
The brake hold function may not hold the
vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep
incline. In this situation, it may be neces-
sary for the driver to apply the brakes. A
warning buzzer will sound and the
multi-information display will inform the
driver of this situat ion. If a warning mes-
sage is shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and follow the
instructions. ■
When the parking brake is set automati-
cally while the system is holding the
brakes
Perform any of the following operations to
release the parking brake. ●
Depress the accelerator pedal. (The
parking brake will not be released auto-
matically if the seat belt is not fastened.) ●
Operate the parking brake switch with
the brake pedal depressed.
Make sure that the pa rking brake indicator
light goes off. ( P.174)
■
When an inspection at your Lexus
dealer is necessary
When the brake hold standby indicator
(green) does not illuminate even when the
brake hold switch is pressed with the brake
hold system operating conditions met, the
system may be malfun ctioning. Have the
vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer.Brake Hold The brake hold system keeps the
brake applied when the shift posi-
tion is in D, M or N with the system
on and the brake pedal has been
depressed to stop the vehicle. The
system releases the brake when the
accelerator pedal is depressed with
the shift position in D or M to allow
smooth start off.
Enabling the system A
B

182 4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 1 Press the Automatic High Beam
switch.
2 Push the lever away from you with
the headlight switch in the or
position. The AHB indicator will come on when the
system is operating.
■
Conditions to turn the high beams on/off
automatically ●
When all of the follo wing conditions are
met, the high beams will be turned on
automatically (after approximately 1 sec-
ond):
• The vehicle speed is approximately 21
mph (34 km/h) or more.
• The area ahead of the vehicle is dark.
• There are no vehicles ahead with head-
lights or tail lights turned on.
• There are few streetlights on the road
ahead. ●
If any of the following conditions are met,
the high beams will turn off automatically:
• The vehicle speed is below approxi-
mately 17 mph (27 km/h).
• The area ahead of the vehicle is not dark.
• Vehicles ahead have their headlights or
tail lights turned on.
• There are many streetlights on the road
ahead. ■
Camera sensor dete ction information●
The high beams may not be automatically
turned off in the following situations:
• When a vehicle suddenly appears from
around a curve
• When the vehicle is cut in front of by
another vehicle
• When vehicles ahead cannot be
detected due to repeated curves, road
dividers or roadside trees
• When vehicles ahead appear in a far-
away lane on a wide road
• When the lights of vehicles ahead are not
on
●
The high beams may be turned off if a AHB (Automatic High
Beam) The Automatic High Beam uses a
camera sensor located behind the
upper portion of the windshield to
assess the brightness of the lights of
vehicles ahead, streetlights, etc.,
and automatically turns the high
beams on or off as necessary. WARNING■
Limitations of the Automatic High
Beam
Do not overly rely on the Automatic High
Beam. Always drive sa fely, taking care to
observe your surroundings and turning
the high beams on or off manually if nec-
essary. ■
To prevent incorrect operation of the
Automatic High Beam system
Do not overload the vehicle.
Activating the Automatic High
Beam

186 4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 ●
If the wiper is turned to AUTO mode
while the engine switch is in IGNITION
ON mode, the wipers will operate once
to show that AUTO mode is activated.●
If the temperature of the raindrop sensor
is 185°F (85°C) or higher, or 5°F
(-15°C) or lower, automatic operation
may not occur. In this case, operate the
wipers in any mode other than AUTO
mode.■
If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not
blocked if there is wash er fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
■
Front door opening linked windshield
wiper stop function
When is selected and the windshield
wipers are operating, if a front door is
opened while the vehicle is stopped and the
P shift position is sele cted, operation of the
windshield wipers w ill be stopped to pre-
vent anyone near the vehicle from being
sprayed by water from the wipers. When
the front door is closed, wiper operation will
resume.
■
When stopping the engine in an emer-
gency while driving
If the windshield wipers are operating when
the engine is stopped, the windshield wipers
will operate in high speed operation. After
the vehicle is stopped, operation will return
to normal when the engi ne switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, or operation will
stop when the driver’s door is opened. ■
Outside rear view mirror defogger acti-
vation linked to windshield wiper opera-
tion
The outside rear view mirror defoggers
automatically turn on when you operate the
windshield wipers.
The outside rear view mirror defoggers
automatically turn off approximately 15
minutes after the wipers stop.
For details about the outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers: P.314
WARNING■
Caution regarding the use of wind-
shield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate
unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subj ect to vibration in
AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers
or anything else do not become caught
in the windshield wipers. ■
Caution regarding the use of washer
fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer
fluid until the windshield becomes warm.
The fluid may freeze on the windshield
and cause low visibility. This may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■
When there is no washer fluid spray
from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may
be caused if the lever is pulled toward
you and held continually.
■
When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other
object. The nozzle will be damaged.

190 4-4. Refueling
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 1 Press the opener switch.
2 Turn the fuel tank cap slowly and
remove it, then put it into the holder
on the fuel filler door.
■
If the fuel filler door cannot be opened
P.432
After refueling, turn the fuel tank cap
until you hear a click. Once the cap is
released, it will turn slightly in the oppo-
site direction.Opening the fuel tank cap
Closing the fuel tank cap WARNING■
When replacing the fuel tank cap
Do not use anything but a genuine Lexus
fuel tank cap designed for your vehicle.
Doing so may cause a fire or other inci-
dent which may result in death or serious
injury.

192 4-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 WARNING■
To avoid malfunction of the front
radar sensor
Observe the following precautions.
Otherwise, the radar sensor may not
operate properly, possibly leading to an
accident resulting in death or serious
injury. ●
Keep the radar sensor and the grille
cover clean at all times.
Radar sensor
Grille cover
If the front of the rada r sensor or the front
or back of the grille cover is dirty or cov-
ered with water droplets, snow, etc.,
clean it.
Clean the radar sensor and grille cover
with a soft cloth to avoid damage them.
●
Do not attach accessories, stickers
(including transpar ent stickers) or
other items to the radar sensor, grille
cover or surrounding area. A
B ●
Do not subject the radar sensor or its
surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the radar sensor is moved even
slightly off position, the system may
malfunction and objects may not be
detected correctly.
If the radar sensor, front grille, or front
bumper has been subjected to a
strong impact, have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer. ●
Do not disassemble the radar sensor. ●
Do not modify or paint the radar sen-
sor or grille cover. ●
If the radar sensor, front grille, or front
bumper needs to be removed and
installed, or replaced, contact your
Lexus dealer. ■
To avoid malfunction of the front side
radar sensors
Observe the following precautions.
Otherwise, the radar sensor may not
operate properly, possibly leading to an
accident resulting in death or serious
injury.