
LC500_LC500h_OM_OM11537U_(U)
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Pictorial indexSearch by illustration
For safety 
and securityMake sure to read through them
(Main topics: Child seat, theft deterrent system)
Vehicle status 
information and 
indicatorsReading driving-related information
(Main topics: Meters, multi-information display)
Before drivingOpening and closing the doors and windows, 
adjustment before driving
(Main topics: Keys, doors, seats)
DrivingOperations and advice which are necessary for driving
(Main topics: Starting engine 
Interior featuresUsage of the interior features
(Main topics: Air conditioner, storage features)
Maintenance 
and careCaring for your vehicle and maintenance procedures
(Main topics: Interior and exterior, light bulbs)
When trouble 
arisesWhat to do in case of malfunction and emergency
(Main topics: Battery discharge, flat tire)
Vehicle 
specificationsVehicle specifications, customizable features
(Main topics: Fuel, oil, tire inflation pressure)
For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt, 
SRS airbag and headlight aim instructions for Canadian 
owners
IndexSearch by symptom
Search alphabetically 

4TABLE OF CONTENTS
6-2. MaintenanceMaintenance requirements ..... 287
General maintenance ................ 288
Emission inspection and mainte- nance (I/M) programs ............. 291
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions........................................................... 292
Hood.................................................. 294
Positioning a floor jack............... 294
Engine compartment.................. 296
12-volt battery................................ 303
Tires ................................................... 305
Replacing the tire .......................... 313
Tire inflation pressure .................. 317
Wheels............................................... 319
Air conditioning  filter..................320
Electronic key battery ................ 322
Checking and replacing fuses 323
Headlight aim................................. 327
Light bulbs ....................................... 328
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers..................... 330
If your vehicle has to be stopped in  an emergency ............................. 330
If the vehicle is trapped in rising  water................................................ 331
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed........................................................... 333
If you think something is wrong 337
Fuel pump shut off system  (LC500)....................................... 338If a warning light turns on or a warn-
ing buzzer sounds..................... 339
If a warning messa ge is displayed
.......................................................... 348
If you have a flat tire .................... 354
If the engine will not start (LC500) .......................................................... 355
If the hybrid syst em will not start 
(LC500h).................................... 356
If you lose your keys.................... 358
If the fuel filler door cannot be  opened .......................................... 358
If the electronic key does not oper- ate properly ................................. 359
If the 12-volt battery is discharged ........................................................... 361
If your vehicle overheats (LC500) .......................................................... 368
If your vehicle overheats (LC500h) .......................................................... 370
If the vehicle becomes stuck ... 374
8-1. Specifications Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ................................................. 376
Fuel information............................ 385
Tire information ............................ 387
8-2. Customization Customizable features .............. 395
8-3. Ite
ms to initialize
Items to initialize ........................... 407
7When trouble arises
8Vehicle specifications 

601-4. Hybrid system
1-4.Hybrid system
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (traction motor)
■When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops
* when the 
vehicle is stopped. During start off, the 
electric motor (traction motor) drives 
the vehicle. When the accelerator 
pedal is only lightly depressed, such as 
when traveling on a level surface or  down a gentle slope, the engine is 
stopped* and the electr
ic motor (trac-
tion motor) is used.
When the shift position is in N, the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) is not 
being charged.
Hybrid system features (LC500h)
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from conven-
tional vehicles. Be sure you are closely  familiar with the characteristics of your 
vehicle, and operate it with care.
The hybrid system combines the use of a  gasoline engine and an electric motor 
(traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving fuel efficiency and 
reducing exhaust emissions.
In addition to the conventional system,  exclusive control is performed for four 
driving conditions (starting off, acce lerating, low-speed driving and high-
speed cruising) to optimize the drive fo rce and fuel efficiency, allowing for a 
more powerful drive and a higher fuel efficiency.
System components
A
B 

611-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
*: When the hybrid battery (traction bat-tery) requires charging or the engine is 
warming up, etc., the gasoline engine will 
not automatically stop.
■During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly 
used. The electric motor (traction 
motor) charges the hybrid battery 
(traction battery) as necessary.
■When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is 
depressed heavily, the power of the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) is 
added to that of the gasoline engine via 
the electric motor (traction motor).
■When braking (regenerative brak-
ing)
The wheels operate the electric motor 
(traction motor) as a power generator, 
and the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is charged.
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is 
converted to electric energy and decelera-
tion force can be obta ined in conjunction 
with the recharging of the hybrid battery 
(traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while 
driving with the shift position in D or M.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driv-
ing with the shift position in D or M.
■EV indicator
The EV indicator comes on when the vehi-
cle is driven using only the electric motor 
(traction motor) or th e gasoline engine is 
stopped.
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine 
may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops auto-
matically. However, it may not stop auto-
matically in the following conditions
*:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) 
charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) is high or low
●When the heater is switched on
●When the shift position is in M*: Depending on the circumstances, the  gasoline engine may also not stop auto-
matically in other situations.
■Charging the hybrid battery (traction 
battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid 
battery (traction battery), the battery does 
not need to be charged from an outside 
source. However, if the  vehicle is left parked 
for a long time the hybrid battery (traction 
battery) will slowly discharge. For this rea-
son, be sure to drive the vehicle at least 
once every few months for at least 30 min-
utes or 10 miles (16 km ). If the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) becomes fully 
discharged and you are unable to start the 
hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Charging the 12-volt battery
 P.365
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged 
or when the terminal has been removed 
and installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if 
the vehicle is being driven by the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery).  If this continues for a 
few days, contact your Lexus dealer. 

621-4. Hybrid system
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a 
hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration 
even though the vehicle is able to move with 
the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For 
safety, apply the parking brake and make 
sure to shift the shift position to P when 
parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may 
occur when the hybrid system is operating 
and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the 
engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid 
battery (traction battery) behind the rear 
seats when the hybrid system starts or 
stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a snap or 
soft clank will be emitted from the hybrid 
battery (traction battery), behind the rear 
seats, when the hybrid system is started 
or stopped.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be 
heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard  from the transmis-
sion when the gasoline engine starts or 
stops, when driving at low speeds, or 
during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when 
accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenera-
tive braking when the brake pedal is 
depressed or as the accelerator pedal is 
released.
●Vibration may be felt  when the gasoline 
engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from 
the air intake vents  under the rear seats.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and dis-
posal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding main-
tenance, repair, recycling and disposal. Do 
not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the EV 
indicator) can be changed. 
(Customizable features:  P.395)
When driving with the gasoline engine 
stopped, a sound, which changes in 
accordance with the driving speed, will 
be played in order to warn people 
nearby of the vehicle’s approach. The 
sound will stop when the vehicle speed 
exceeds approximately 22 mph (35 
km/h).
■Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity 
notification system may be difficult for sur-
rounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification 
system is installed on the front of the vehicle, 
it may be more difficult to hear from the rear 
of the vehicle compared to the front.
■If “Proximity Notification System Mal-
function Visit Your Dealer” is displayed 
on the multi-information display
The system may be ma lfunctioning. Have 
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Vehicle proximity notification 
system 

631-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.
Warning label
Power control unit
Electric motor (traction motor)
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Service plug
High voltage cables (orange)
Air conditioning compressor
■Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the 
hybrid system cannot be  started, refuel the 
vehicle with at least enough gasoline to 
make the low fuel level warning light 
(  P.343) go off. If there is only a small 
amount of fuel, the hybrid system may not 
be able to start. (The standard amount of  fuel is about 3.3 gal. [12.6 L, 2.8 Imp.gal.], 
when the vehicle is on a level surface. This 
value may vary when the vehicle is on a 
slope. Add extra fuel when the vehicle is 
inclined.)
■Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on hybrid 
vehicles incorporate electromagnetic 
Hybrid system precautions (LC500h)
Take care when handling the hybrid system,
 as it is a high voltage system (about 
650 V at maximum) as well as contains  parts that become extremely hot when 
the hybrid system is operating. Obey th e warning labels attached to the vehi-
cle.
System components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G 

641-4. Hybrid system
shielding, and therefore emit approxi-
mately the same amount of electromag-
netic waves as conventional gasoline 
powered vehicles or home electronic 
appliances.
●Your vehicle may cause sound interfer-
ence in some third party-produced radio 
parts.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a 
limited service life.  The lifespan of the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) can 
change in accordance with driving style and 
driving conditions.
■Starting the hybrid system in an 
extremely cold environment
When the hybrid battery (traction battery) 
is extremely cold (below approximately -
22°F [-30°C]) under the influence of the 
outside temperature, it may not be possible 
to start the hybrid system. In this case, try to 
start the hybrid system again after the tem-
perature of the hybrid battery increases due 
to the outside temperature increase etc.
WARNING
■High voltage precautions
This vehicle has high voltage DC and AC 
systems as well as a 12-volt system. DC 
and AC high voltage is very dangerous 
and can cause severe burns and electric 
shock that may result in death or serious 
injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or 
replace the high voltage parts, cables 
or their connectors.
●The hybrid system will become hot 
after starting as the system uses high 
voltage. Be careful of both the high 
voltage and the high temperature, and 
always obey the  warning labels 
attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug 
access hole located behind the rear 
seats. The service pl ug is used only 
when the vehicle is serviced and is 
subject to high voltage.
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to 
reduce the risk of de ath or serious injury:
●Stop the vehicle in a safe place to pre-
vent subsequent accidents. While 
depressing the brake pedal, apply the 
parking brake and sh ift the shift posi-
tion to P to stop the hybrid system. 
Then, slowly release the brake pedal.
●Do not touch the high voltage parts, 
cables and connectors.
●If electric wires ar e exposed inside or 
outside your vehicle, an electric shock 
may occur. Never touch exposed elec-
tric wires.
●Do not touch the battery if liquid is 
leaking from or adhering to it. 
If electrolyte (carbonic-based organic 
electrolyte) from the hybrid battery 
(traction battery) comes into contact 
with the eyes or skin, it could cause 
blindness or skin wounds. In the 
unlikely event that it comes into con-
tact with the eyes or skin, wash it off 
immediately with a large amount of 
water, and seek immediate medical 
attention. 

651-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
WARNING
●If electrolyte is leaking from the hybrid 
battery (traction battery), do not 
approach the vehicle. 
Even in the unlikely event that the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) is 
damaged, the internal construction of 
the battery will prevent a large amount 
of electrolyte from leaking out. How-
ever, any electrolyte that does leak out 
will give off a vapor. This vapor is an 
irritant to skin and eyes and could 
cause acute poisoning if inhaled.
●Do not bring burning or high-tem-
perature items close to the electrolyte. 
The electrolyte may ignite and cause a 
fire.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, 
leave the vehicle as soon as possible. 
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not 
meant for electric fires. Using even a 
small amount of water may be danger-
ous.
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do 
so with rear wheels raised. If the 
wheels connected to the electric 
motor (traction motor) are on the 
ground when towing, the motor may 
continue to generate electricity. This 
may cause a fire. ( P.333)
●Carefully inspect the ground under the 
vehicle. If you find that liquid has 
leaked onto the ground, the fuel sys-
tem may have been damaged. Leave 
the vehicle as soon as possible.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
●Your vehicle contains a sealed lithium-
ion battery
●Never resell, hand over or modify the 
hybrid battery. To prevent accidents, 
hybrid batteries that have been 
removed from a disposed vehicle are 
collected through Lexus dealer. Do not 
dispose of the battery yourself. 
Unless the battery is properly col-
lected, the following may occur, result-
ing in death or serious injury:
• The hybrid battery may be illegally dis- posed of or dumped, and it is hazard-
ous to the environment or someone 
may touch a high voltage part, result-
ing in an electric shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to be  used exclusively with your hybrid vehi-
cle. If the hybrid battery is used outside 
of your vehicle or modified in any way, 
accidents such as electric shock, heat 
generation, smoke generation, an 
explosion and electrolyte leakage may 
occur.
When reselling or handing over your 
vehicle, the possibility of an accident is 
extremely high because the person 
receiving the vehicle may not be aware 
of these dangers.
●If your vehicle is disposed of without 
the hybrid battery having been 
removed, there is a danger of serious 
electric shock if hi gh voltage parts, 
cables and their connectors are 
touched. In the event that your vehicle 
must be disposed of, the hybrid battery 
must be disposed of by your Lexus 
dealer or a qualified service shop. If 
the hybrid battery is not disposed of 
properly, it may cause electric shock 
that can result in death or serious 
injury.