
15Pictorial index
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 Applying/releasing the parking brake.......................................................................P.174
Precautions for winter season .. .................................................................................... P.301
Warning buzzer/messages.......................................................................................... P.425
Turn signal lever ...................................................................................................... P.173
Headlight switch...................................................................................................... P.179
Headlights/parking lights/tail lights/license plate lig hts/daytime running lights
............................................................................................................................... .....................P.179
AHB (Automatic High Beam)...................................................................................... P.182
Windshield wiper and washer switch ................................................................P.184
Usage.......................................................................................................................... ............ P.184
Adding washer fluid ......................................................................................................... P.3 79
Warning messages .......................................................................................................... P.425
Emergency flasher switch ...................................................................................P.406
Hood lock release lever ........................................................................................ P.371
Tilt and telescopic steering contro l switch...... ............ .............. .......... ............P.138
Adjustment ........................................................................................................................... P.138
Driving position memory ................................................................................................ P.130
Air conditioning system ........................................................................................P.313
Usage.......................................................................................................................... ............ P.313
Rear window defogger.................................................................................................... P.313
Audio system *
Brake hold switch .................................................................................................... P.177
Trunk opener main switch ..................................................................................... P.110 *
: Refer to “NAVIGATION AND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”. F
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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.

300 4-6. Driving tips
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 4-6.Driving tips
Use fluids that are appropriate to
the prevailing outside temperatures. •Engine oil
• Engine coolant
•Washer fluid
Have a service technician inspect
the condition of the battery.
Have the vehicle fitted with four
snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the rear tires. *
Ensure that all tires are the specified size
and brand, and that chains match the size
of the tires. *
: Tire chains cannot be mounted on vehi-
cles with front and rear tires of differing
sizes.Winter driving tips Carry out the necessary prepara-
tions and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive
the vehicle in a manner appropriate
to the prevailing weather condi-
tions.
Preparation for winter
WARNING
■
Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of
vehicle control and cause death or seri-
ous injury.
●
Use tires of the specified size.
●
Maintain the recommended level of air
pressure. ●
Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120
km/h), regardless of the type of snow
tires being used. ●
Use snow tires on all, not just some
wheels. ■
When installing tire chains
Before installing tire chains, make sure to
disable all functions of the vehicle height
control of the electronically modulated
air suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle
height may change while installing the
tire chains and part or your body may be
caught under the vehicle, possibly caus-
ing injury. ( P.293)■
Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle
being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury. ●
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), which-
ever is lower. ●
Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces
or over potholes. ●
Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
steering, sudden br aking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine
braking.
●
Slow down sufficiently before entering
a curve to ensure that vehicle control is
maintained.
●
Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
system.

366 6-2. Maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 Radiator, con-
denser, inter-
cooler radiator
and intercooler
sub radiator The radiator, con-
denser, intercooler
radiator and inter-
cooler sub radiator
should be free from
foreign objects.
( P.378)
Washer fluid Is there sufficient
washer fluid?
( P.379)
Trunk Items Check points
Battery Check the connec-
tions. ( P.380)
Vehicle interior Items Check points
Accelerator
pedal • The accelerator
pedal should move
smoothly (without
uneven pedal effort
or catching).
Automatic trans-
mission “Park”
mechanism •When parked on a
slope and the shift
position is in P, is the
vehicle securely
stopped?Items Check points
Brake pedal •Does the brake
pedal move
smoothly?
•Does the brake
pedal have appro-
priate clearance
from the floor?
•Does the brake
pedal have the cor-
rect amount of free
play?
Brakes • The vehicle should
not pull to one side
when the brakes are
applied.
•The brakes should
work effectively.
• The brake pedal
should not feel
spongy.
• The brake pedal
should not get too
close to the floor
when the brakes are
applied.
Head restraints •Do the head
restraints move
smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzz-
ers •Do the indicators
and buzzers function
properly?
Lights • Do all the lights
come on?Items Check points

370 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 Tire inflation pres-
sure ( P.395) • Tire pressure gauge
•Compressed air
source
Washer fluid
( P.379) • Water or washer
fluid containing anti-
freeze (for winter
use)
• Funnel (used only for
adding water or
washer fluid)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many
mechanisms and fluids that may move
suddenly, become hot, or become elec-
trically energized. To avoid death or seri-
ous injury, observe the following
precautions. ■
When working on the engine com-
partment●
Keep hands, clothi ng and tools away
from the moving fan and engine drive
belt.●
Be careful not to touch the engine,
radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil
and other fluids may also be hot.
●
Do not leave anything that may burn
easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
●
Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose
an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes are
flammable.
■
When working near the electric cool-
ing fan or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION
ON mode, the electric cooling fan may
automatically start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. ( P.378)Items Parts and tools ■
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or
falling material, fluid spray, etc. from get-
ting in your eyes.
NOTICE■
If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter
removed may cause excessive engine
wear due to dirt in the air.

3736-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 6
Maintenance and care
Fuse boxes ( P.401)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.376)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.377)
Intercooler coolant reservoir ( P.377)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.375)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.379)
Washer fluid tank ( P.379)
Radiator ( P.378)
Intercooler radiator ( P.378)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P.378)
Intercooler sub radiator ( P.378)For AWD models:
The engine oil level dipstick is locate d on the opposite side of the engine.Engine compartment
Components
A
B
C
D
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3796-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 6
Maintenance and care ■
Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN” lines
on the tank.
■
Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and
prepare the necessary item.
Fluid type FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703
brake fluid
FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 or SAE J1704
brake fluid
Item Clean funnel
■
Brake fluid can absorb moisture from
the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause
a dangerous loss of braking efficiency. Use
only newly opened brake fluid. If any washer does not work or the
warning message appears on the
multi-information display, the washer
tank may be empty. Add washer fluid.WARNING■
When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator, condenser,
intercooler radiator or intercooler sub
radiator as they may be hot and cause
serious injuries, such as burns.
Checking and adding the brake
fluid WARNING■
When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your
hands and eyes and damage painted sur-
faces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes,
flush the affected area with clean water
immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a
doctor.
NOTICE■
If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear out
or when the fluid leve l in the accumulator
is high.
If the reservoir need s frequent refilling,
there may be a serious problem.
Adding the washer fluid
WARNING
■
When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the engine
is hot or running as washer fluid contains
alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on
the engine, etc.

380 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 The battery is located in the trunk
under the luggage mat.
Removing the luggage mat: P.340
■
Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces
hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. Therefore, observe the following
precautions before recharging: ●
If recharging with the battery installed on
the vehicle, be sure to disconnect the
ground cable. ●
Make sure the engine switch on the char-
ger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the battery. ■
After recharging/reconnecting the bat-
tery ●
Unlocking the doors using the smart
access system with pu sh-button start may
not be possible immediately after recon-
necting the battery. If this happens, use
the wireless remote control or the
mechanical key to lo ck/unlock the doors.
●
Start the engine with the engine switch in
ACCESSORY mode. The engine may
not start with the engine switch turned off.
However, the engine will operate nor-
mally from the second attempt.
●
The engine switch mode is recorded by
the vehicle. If the battery is reconnected,
the vehicle will return the engine switch
mode to the status it was in before the NOTICE■
Do not use any fluid other than
washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine anti-
freeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the
vehicle’s painted surfaces, as well as
damaging the pump leading to problems
of the washer fluid not spraying. ■
Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as neces-
sary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed
on the label of the washer fluid bottle. Battery
Location