
1394-1. Before driving
4
Driving
is due to automatic up-shifting control or 
down-shifting implementation to meet driv-
ing conditions. It does not indicate sudden 
acceleration.
●The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill 
or downhill
●When the accelerator pedal is released
●When the brake pedal is firmly or quickly 
depressed
■Restraining the engine 
output (Brake Override System)
●When the accelerator and brake pedals 
are depressed at the same time, the 
engine 
restrained.
●A warning message is  displayed on the 
multi-information display while the sys-
tem is operating. If  a warning message is 
shown on the multi-information display, 
read the message and follow the instruc-
tions.
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start 
Control)
●When the following unusual operation is 
performed, the engine 
output may be restrained.
• When the shift position is shifted from R 
to D, D or M to R, N to R, P to D
*, P to R* 
with the accelerator pedal depressed, a 
warning message appears on the multi-
information display. If a warning message 
is shown on the multi-information display, 
read the message and follow the instruc-
tions.
• When the accelerator  pedal is depressed 
too much while the vehicle is in reverse.
*: Depending on the situation, the shift posi-
tion may not be changed.
●While Drive-Start Control is being acti-
vated, your vehicle may have trouble 
escaping from the mud or fresh snow. In 
such case, deactivate TRAC ( P.236) 
to cancel Drive-Start Control so that the 
vehicle may become able to escape from 
the mud or fresh snow.
■Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing 
the following precautions is recommended:
●For the first 186 miles (300 km): 
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for  extended periods.
■Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type park-
ing brake system. This type of brake system 
needs bedding-down of the brake shoes 
periodically or whenever the parking brake 
shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your 
Lexus dealer perform the bedding down 
operation.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign 
country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registra-
tion laws and confirm the availability of the 
correct fuel. ( P.377)
■Brake pads and discs
The brake pads and discs are designed for 
use under high load conditions. Therefore, 
brake noise may be generated depending 
on the vehicle speed, braking force and 
vehicle environment (temperature, humid-
ity, etc.).
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or 
serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
LC500: Always keep your foot on the 
brake pedal while stopped with the 
engine running. This prevents the vehicle 
from creeping.
LC500h: Always keep your foot on the 
brake pedal while stopped with the 
“READY” indicator is illuminated. This 
prevents the vehicle from creeping. 

1414-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
●Sudden acceleration, engine braking 
due to shifting, or changes in engine 
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, 
resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly 
depress the brake pedal to make sure 
that the brakes are functioning prop-
erly. Wet brake pads may prevent the 
brakes from functioning properly. If the 
brakes on only one side are wet and 
not functioning properly, steering con-
trol may be affected.
■When shifting the shift position
●LC500: Do not let the vehicle roll 
backward while a forward driving posi-
tion is selected, or roll forward while 
the shift position is in R. 
Doing so may cause the engine to stall 
or lead to poor brake and steering 
performance, resulting in an accident 
or damage to the vehicle. 
LC500h: Do not let the vehicle roll 
backward while a forward driving posi-
tion is selected, or roll forward while 
the shift position is in R. 
Doing so may result in an accident or 
damage to the vehicle.
●Do not shift the shift position to P while 
the vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can damage the transmission 
and may result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol.
●Do not shift the shift position to R while 
the vehicle is moving forward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission 
and may result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol.
●Do not shift the shift position to a driv-
ing position while the vehicle is moving 
backward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission 
and may result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol.
●LC500: Changing the shift position to 
N while the vehicle is moving will dis-
engage the engine from the transmis-
sion. Engine braking is not available 
when N is selected. 
LC500h: Changing the shift position 
to N while the vehicle is moving will 
disengage the hybrid system. Engine 
braking is not available with the hybrid 
system disengaged.
●Be careful not to change the shift posi-
tion with the accelerator pedal 
depressed. Changing the shift posi-
tion to any positions other than P or N 
may lead to unexpected rapid acceler-
ation of the vehicle that may cause an 
accident and result in death or serious 
injury. 
After changing the shift position, make 
sure to confirm the current shift posi-
tion displayed on the shift position indi-
cator inside the meter.
■Brake pad wear
If any of the following situations occurs, 
have the brake pads visually checked and 
replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as 
possible.
●If the thickness of the brake pads 
exceeds the brake pad wear limit when 
visually checking all four brake pads 
(for the brake pad wear limit, refer to 
P.382)
●If “Brake Pad Wear Visit Your Dealer” 
is displayed (only the right-side pads 
can be detected)
Rotor damage may result if the pads are 
not replaced when needed. Moderate 
levels of the brake pad and disc wear 
allow enhanced braking power. As a 
result, the discs may wear more quickly 
than conventional brake discs. Therefore, 
when replacing the brake pads, Lexus 
recommends that you also have the 
thickness of the discs measured. It is dan-
gerous to drive the vehicle when the 
wear limits of the brake pads and/or 
those of the brake discs are exceeded. 

3026-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LC500
LC500h
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and 
prepare the necessary items.
 Fluid type
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 
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 “Wind-
shield Washer Fluid Low” is shown on 
the multi-information display, the 
washer tank may be empty. Add 
washer fluid.
LC500
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 needs frequent refilling, 
there may be a serious problem.
Checking and adding the washer 
fluid 

3397-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
■Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
■Charging system warning light*
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■Low engine oil pressure warning light (warning buzzer)*
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if  any of the warning lights comes on or 
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, bu t then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur, 
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(red)
(Canada)
Indicates that:
 The brake fluid level is low; or
 The brake system is malfunctioning
This light also comes on when the pa rking brake is not released. If the 
light turns off after the parking brake is  fully released the system is oper-
ating normally.
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a  safe place and contact your Lexus 
dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
 Indicates that the brake pads are worn out (only the right-side pads 
can be detected)
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a  safe place and contact your Lexus 
dealer.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a  safe place and contact your Lexus 
dealer.