
1654-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Customization
Settings (e.g. revers e warning buzzer) can 
be changed. 
(Customizable features:  P.395)
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 M 
position indicator are displayed in gray.
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
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) 
charge
If the shift position is in N, the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) will not be 
charged. To help prevent the battery 
from discharging, avoid leaving the N 
position selected for  an extended period 
of time.
■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 

1664-2. Driving procedures
Shift lever display:
The current shift position is illuminated.
When selecting the shift position, make 
sure that the shift position has been 
changed to the desired position by check-
ing the shift position indicator provided on 
the instrument cluster.
P position switch
■When shifting the shift position to P
Fully stop the vehicle and set the park-
ing brake, and then press the P position 
switch.
When the shift position is changed to P, the 
switch illuminates.
Check that the shift position indicator 
shows P.
■Shifting the shift position from P to 
other positions
 While depressing the brake pedal 
firmly, operate the shift lever. If the 
shift lever is operated without 
depressing the brake pedal, the 
buzzer will sound and the shifting 
operation will be disabled.
 When selecting the shift position, 
make sure that the shift position has 
been changed to the desired posi-
tion by checking the shift position 
indicator provided on the instru-
ment cluster.
 The shift position cannot be 
changed from P to M directly.
■Automatic P position selection function
In the following situations, the shift position 
is automatically changed to P.
●When pressing the power switch with the 
vehicle stopped while  the power switch is 
in ON mode and the shift position is in a 
position other than P (after the shift posi-
tion has changed to P, the power switch 
will turn off)
*
●When the vehicle is stopped after the 
hybrid system has been stopped in an 
emergency while driving
●When voltage of the 12-volt battery 
drops while the shift po sition is in a posi-
tion other than P
*: When the power switch is pressed while 
driving at extremely slow speeds, such as 
immediately before stopping the vehicle, 
the shift position may automatically 
change to P. Make sure that the vehicle is 
completely stopped before pressing the 
power switch.
■If the shift position cannot be shifted 
from P
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery 
WARNING
■For the shift lever
●Do not remove the sh ift lever knob or 
use anything but a genuine Lexus shift 
lever knob. Also, do not hang anything 
on the shift lever.
Doing so could prevent the shift lever 
from returning to position, causing 
unexpected accidents to occur when 
the vehicle is in motion.
●In order to prevent the shift position 
from accidentally being changed, do 
not touch the shift lever when not using 
them.
P position switch
C 

1674-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
is discharged. Check the 12-volt battery in 
this situation. (P.361)
■Driving mode
 P.216
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the 
conditions when dr iving on slippery 
road surfaces, such as on snow.
Turn the   switch backward.
The snow mode indicator comes on. Turn the   switch backward again to 
return to normal mode.
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if 
the power switch is turned off after driving 
in snow mode.
To drive using temporary shift range 
selection, operate the “-” or “+” paddle 
shift switch. 
When the “-” paddle shift switch is 
operated, the shift range switches to a 
range that enables engine braking 
force that is suitable to driving condi-
tions. When the “+” paddle shift switch 
is operated, the shift range switches to 
a range that is one range higher than 
the current range. 
Changing the shift range allows 
restriction of the highest shift range, 
preventing unnecessary upshifting and 
enabling the level of engine braking 
force to be selected.
WARNING
■P position switch
●Do not press the P position switch 
while the vehicle is moving.
If the P position switch is pressed when 
driving at very low speeds (for exam-
ple, directly before stopping the vehi-
cle), the vehicle may stop suddenly 
when the shift position switches to P, 
which could lead to an accident.
●In order to prevent the shift position 
from accidentally being changed, do 
not touch the P position switch or shift 
lever when not using them.
NOTICE
■Notes regarding shift lever and P 
position switch operation
Avoid repeatedly operating the shift 
lever and P position switch in quick suc-
cession.
The system protection function may acti-
vate and it will not be temporarily possi-
ble to shift the shift position other than P. 
If this happens, plea se wait for a while 
before attempting to change the shift 
position again.
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D 
position 

1764-3. Operating the lights and wipers
the automatic headlight system to malfunc-
tion.
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The head-
lights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds 
after the driver’s door is opened and 
closed if the engine switch 
or turned off. (The lights turn off immedi-
ately if   on the ke y is pressed after 
all the doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail 
lights turn off automatically if the engine 
switch 
ACCESSORY mode or turned off and 
the driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine 
switch 
mode 
off once and then back to   or  .
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch 
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.
■12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the 12-volt battery of the 
vehicle from discharging, if the headlights 
and/or tail lights are on when the engine 
switch 
volt battery saving function will operate and 
automatically turn off all the lights after 
approximately 20 minutes. 
When the engine switch  
turned to IGNITION ON mode 
will be disabled.
When any of the following are performed, 
the 12-volt battery-saving function is can-
celed once and then reactivated. All the 
lights will turn off automatically 20 minutes 
after the 12-volt battery-saving function has 
been reactivated:
●When the headlight  switch is operated
●When a door is opened or closed
■Welcome light illumination control
The side marker, parking, tail and license 
plate lights automatically turn on at night 
when the doors are unlocked using the 
entry function or wireless remote control if 
the light switch is in the   position.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be 
changed. 
(Customizable features:  P.395)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than 
necessary when the engine is not running 

1954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
3Near
The warning will begin to operate later 
than with the default timing.
■Operational conditions
The pre-collision system is enabled and the 
system determines that the possibility of a 
frontal collision with a vehicle or pedestrian 
is high.
Each function is operational at the following 
speeds:
●Pre-collision warning:
• Vehicle speed is be tween approximately 
7 and 110 mph (10 and 180 km/h). (For 
detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is 
between approximately 7 and 50 mph 
[10 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle  and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is 
approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
●Pre-collision brake assist:
• Vehicle speed is be tween approximately 
20 and 110 mph (30 and 180 km/h). (For 
detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is 
between approximately 20 and 50 mph 
[30 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle  and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is 
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) or 
more.
●Pre-collision braking:
• Vehicle speed is be tween approximately 
7 and 110 mph (10 and 180 km/h). (For 
detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is 
between approximately 7 and 50 mph 
[10 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle 
and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is 
approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
The system may not operate in the following 
situations:
●If a 12-volt battery terminal has been dis-
connected and reconnected and then the 
vehicle has not been driven for a certain 
amount of time
●If the shift position is in R
●If VSC is disabled (only the pre-collision 
warning function will be operational)
■Pedestrian detection function
The pre-collision system  detects pedestri-
ans based on the size,  profile, and motion of 
a detected object. However, a pedestrian 
may not be detected depending on the sur-
rounding brightness and the motion, pos-
ture, and angle of the detected object, 
preventing the system from operating prop-
erly. ( P.197)
■Cancelation of the pre-collision braking
If either of the following occur while the 
pre-collision braking function is operating, it 
will be canceled:
●The accelerator pedal is depressed 
strongly.
●The steering wheel is turned sharply or 
abruptly.
■Conditions under which the system may 
operate even if there is no possibility of a 
collision
●In some situations su ch as the following, 
the system may determine that there is a 
possibility of a frontal collision and oper-
ate.
• When passing a vehicle or pedestrian
• When changing lanes while overtaking a 
preceding vehicle
• When overtaking a preceding vehicle 
that is changing lanes
• When overtaking a preceding vehicle  that is making  a left/right turn
• When passing a vehicle in an oncoming  

2334-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
IGNITION ON mode 
●The trunk is closed.
●The active rear wing has been activated 
in a customized setting.
■Conditions which stop the operation
In the following situations operation of the 
active rear wing will stop:
●The engine switch 
turned to ACCESSORY mode or off 
while the active rear wing is operating.
●The trunk is opened while the active rear 
wing is operating.
●The raising operation  of the active rear 
wing is interrupted  by an object, etc.
●The active rear wing is operated in an 
unusual manner causing it to stop at an 
irregular position.
In such cases, pressing the active rear wing 
switch will fully raise the active rear wing. 
Or, begin driving the vehicle and the active 
rear wing will raise automatically when the 
vehicle speed reaches 16 mph (25 km/h).
■When there is a malfunction in the sys-
tem
A warning message will be displayed on the 
multi-information display. ( P.348)
■Customization
The active rear wing can be turned on/off. 
(Customizable features:  P.395)
The active rear wing will operate auto-
matically at the following speeds 
according to the selected driving 
mode (P.216).
(Always observe the legal speed limit 
when driving on public roads.)
 When other than Eco drive mode is 
selected
Up: Approximately 50 mph (80 
km/h)
Down: Approximately 25 mph (40 
km/h)
 When Eco drive mode is selected
Up: Approximately 80 mph (130 
km/h)
Down: Approximately 25 mph (40 
km/h)
Operate the active rear wing switch to 
raise/retract the active rear wing man-
ually.
The active rear wing retracts when it is 
raised and raises when retracted.
However, the active rear wing does not 
respond to switch operations while the 
active rear wing is operating.
NOTICE
■To prevent system damage
●Do not apply pressure to the active 
rear wing when pushing or pulling the 
vehicle.
●Do not lean on the active rear wing.
●Do not attach any accessories or other 
objects to the active rear wing.
●Do not modify or disassemble the 
active rear wing.
●Do not subject the active rear wing to 
severe impact.
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not operate the active rear wing 
repeatedly while the engine 
Automatic operation
Changing to manual operation 

2374-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■When the message is displayed on the 
multi-information display showing that 
TRAC has been disabled even if the  has not been pressed
TRAC cannot be operated. Contact your 
Lexus dealer.
■Operating conditions of hill-start assist 
control
When the following four conditions are met, 
the hill-start assist control will operate:
●The shift position is in a position other 
than P or N (when starting off for-
ward/backward on an  upward incline).
●The vehicle is stopped.
●The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●The parking brake is not engaged.
■Automatic system cancelation of hill-
start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any 
of the following situations:
●The shift position is shifted to P or N.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed.
●The parking brake is engaged.
●2 seconds at maximum elapsed after the 
brake pedal is released.
■VGRS is disabled when
VGRS may stop operating in the following 
situations. 
In this event, the steering wheel may move 
from its straight forward position, but it will 
return when the system restarts.
●When the steering wheel is operated for 
an extended period  of time while the 
vehicle is stopped or is moving very 
slowly 
(on vehicles with LDH, DRS is disabled 
together with VGRS)
●When the steering wheel has been held 
fully to the left or right
The center position of the steering wheel 
may change when VGRS is disabled. How-
ever, the position will return to normal after 
VGRS is reactivated.
■When the 12-volt battery is discon-
nected (vehicles with VGRS)
The steering wheel may move from its 
straight forward position, but this will be 
corrected automatically when driving.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the 
ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC, hill-start 
assist control and VGRS systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine 
compartment when the brake pedal is 
depressed repeatedly, when the engine is 
started or just after the vehicle begins to 
move. This sound does not indicate that a 
malfunction has occurred in any of these 
systems.
●Any of the following conditions may 
occur when the above systems are oper-
ating. None of these indicates that a mal-
function has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle  body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the 
vehicle comes to a stop.
■ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the 
following cases, but it does not indicate that 
a malfunction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from the engine 
compartment when the brake pedal is 
operated.
●Motor sound of the brake system heard 
from the front part of the vehicle when 
the driver’s door is opened.
●Operating sound heard from the engine 
compartment when one or two minutes 
passed after the stop of the engine 
■EPS, VGRS and DRS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a 
motor sound (whirring sound) may be 
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and 
VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems 
off, the systems will be automatically re-
enabled in the following situations:
●When the engine switch 
is turned off 

2404-6. Driving tips
4-6.Driving tips
When using Eco drive mode, the 
torque corresponding to the accelera-
tor pedal depression amount can be 
generated more smoothly than it is in 
normal conditions. In addition, the 
operation of the air conditioning sys-
tem (heating/cooling) will be mini-
mized, improving the fuel economy. 
( P.216)
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by 
keeping the indicate of Hybrid System 
Indicator within Eco area. ( P.78)
Shift the shift position to D when 
stopped at a traffic light, or driving in 
heavy traffic etc. Shift the shift position 
to P when parking. When using the N 
position, there is no positive effect on 
fuel consumption. In the N position, the 
gasoline engine operates but electric-
ity cannot be generated. Also, when 
using the air conditio ning system, etc., 
the hybrid battery (traction battery) 
power is consumed. 
Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid 
abrupt acceleration and decelera-
tion. Gradual acceleration and 
deceleration will make more effec-
tive use of the electric motor (trac-
tion motor) without having to use 
gasoline engine power.
 Avoid repeated acceleration. 
Repeated acceleration consumes 
hybrid battery (traction battery) 
power, resulting in poor fuel con-
sumption. Battery power can be 
restored by driving with the acceler-
ator pedal slightly released.
Make sure to operate the brakes gently 
and in a timely manner. A greater 
amount of electrical energy can be 
regenerated when slowing down.
Repeated acceleration and decelera-
tion, as well as long waits at traffic 
lights, will lead to bad fuel economy. 
Check traffic reports before leaving 
and avoid delays as much as possible. 
When driving in a traffic jam, gently 
release the brake pedal to allow the 
vehicle to move forward slightly while 
avoiding overuse of the accelerator 
pedal. Doing so can help control 
excessive gasoline consumption.
Hybrid vehicle driving tips 
(LC500h)
For economical and ecological 
driving, pay attention to the follow-
ing points:
Using Eco drive mode
Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Changing the shift position
Accelerator pedal/brake pedal 
operation
When braking
Delays