
701-5. Theft deterrent system
■Items to check before locking the 
vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of 
the alarm and vehicle theft, make sure 
of the following:
 Nobody is in the vehicle.
 The windows are closed before the 
alarm is set.
 No valuables or other personal 
items are left in the vehicle.
■Setting
Close the doors, trunk and hood, and 
lock both side doors. The system will 
be set automatically after 30 seconds.
The indicator light changes from being on 
to flashing when the system is set.
■Canceling or stopping
Do one of the following to deactivate 
or stop the alarms:
 Unlock the doors or open the trunk.
 Turn the engine switch 
TION ON mode 
start the engine 
(The alarm will be deactivated or 
stopped after a few seconds.)
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type 
alarm system.
■Triggering of the alarm
The alarm may be triggered in the following 
situations: 
(Stopping the alarm deactivates the alarm 
system.)
●A person inside the  vehicle opens a door, 
the trunk or hood, or unlocks the vehicle 
using a door lock switch.
●The 12-volt battery is recharged or 
replaced when the vehicle is locked. 
(  P.365)
Alarm
The alarm uses light and sound to 
give an alert when an intrusion is 
detected. 
The alarm is triggered in the follow-
ing situations when the alarm is set:
 A locked door or trunk is 
unlocked or opened in any way 
other than using the entry func-
tion, wireless remote control or 
mechanical key. (The doors will 
lock again automatically.)
 The hood is opened.
Setting/canceling/stopping the 
alarm system 

1093-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
3
Before driving
■Switching the door unlock function
It is possible to set which doors the entry 
function unlocks using the wireless remote 
control.
1 Turn the engine switch 
off.
2 When the indicator light on the key sur-
face is not on, press and hold  , 
 or   for approximately 5 
seconds while pressing and holding 
.
The setting changes each time an operation 
is performed, as shown below. (When 
changing the setting continuously, release 
the buttons, wait for at least 5 seconds, and 
repeat step 2 .)
To prevent unintended triggering of the 
alarm, unlock the doors using the wireless 
remote control and open and close a door 
once after the settings have been changed. 
(If a door is not opened within 60 seconds 
after   is pressed, the doors will be 
locked again and the alarm will automati- cally be set.)
In a case that the alarm is triggered, imme-
diately stop the alarm. (
P.70)
■Impact detection door lock release sys-
tem
In the event that the vehicle is subject to a 
strong impact, both side doors are 
unlocked. Depending on the force of the 
impact or the type of accident, however, the 
system may not operate.
■Operation signals
A buzzer sounds and the emergency flash-
ers flash to indicate that the doors have 
been locked/unlocked. (Locked: once; 
Unlocked: twice)
A buzzer sounds to in dicate that the win-
dows are operating.
■Security feature
If a door is not opened within approximately 
60 seconds after the vehicle is unlocked, 
the security feature automatically locks the 
vehicle again.
■Open door warning buzzer
If an attempt to lock the doors is made when 
a door is not fully closed, a buzzer sounds 
continuously for 5 seconds. Fully close the 
door to stop the buzzer, and lock the vehi-
cle once more.
■Setting the alarm
Locking the doors will set the alarm system. 
(  P.70)
■Conditions affecting the operation of 
the smart access system with push-but-
ton start or wireless remote control
 P.117
■If the smart access system with push-
button start or the wireless remote con-
trol does not operate properly
Use the mechanical key to lock and unlock 
the doors. ( P.359) 
Replace the key battery with a new one if it 
is depleted. ( P.322)
■If the 12-volt batte ry is discharged
The doors cannot be locked and unlocked 
using the smart access system with push-
button start or wireless remote control. 
Multi-information  display/BeepUnlocking function
Exterior: Beeps 3  times
Interior: Pings  once
Pushing the depression 
on the front edge of the 
driver’s door handle 
unlocks only the 
driver’s door.
Pushing the depression 
on the front edge of the 
passenger’s door han-
dle unlocks both side 
doors.
Exterior: Beeps  twice
Interior: Pings  once
Pushing the depression 
on the front edge of 
either door handle 
unlocks both side 
doors. 

1143-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
■Trunk light
The trunk light turns on  when the trunk is 
opened.
■Function to prevent the trunk being 
locked with the electronic key inside
●When both side doors are locked, closing 
the trunk lid with the electronic key left 
inside the trunk will sound an alarm.
In this case, the trunk lid can be opened 
by pressing the trunk release button on 
the trunk lid.
●If the spare electronic key is put in the 
trunk with both side doors locked, the key 
confinement prevention function is acti-
vated so the trunk can be opened. In 
order to prevent theft, take all electronic 
keys with you when  leaving the vehicle.
●If the electronic key is put in the trunk with 
both side doors locked, the key may not 
be detected depending on the location of 
the key and the surrounding radio wave 
conditions. In this case, the key confine-
ment prevention function cannot be acti-
vated, causing the trunk to be locked 
when the trunk lid is  closed. Make sure to 
check where the key is before closing the 
trunk.
●The key confinement prevention function 
cannot be activated if either door is 
unlocked. In this case, open the trunk 
using the trunk opener switch.
●If the trunk lid is closed by a hand having 
the electronic key when the both side 
doors are locked, a warning buzzer may 
sound. In this case, the trunk is not locked. 
Do not close the trunk lid by a hand hav-
ing the electronic key.
■Internal trunk release lever
The trunk lid can be opened by pulling the 
glow-in-the-dark lever located on the inside 
of the trunk to the side.
The lever will continue to glow for some 
time after the trunk lid is closed.
■If the smart access system with push-
button start or the wireless remote con-
trol does not operate properly
Use the trunk opener switch to unlock the 
trunk. ( P.359)
Replace the key battery with a new one if it 
is depleted. ( P.322)
■If a symbol indicating the trunk opens is 
shown on the multi-information display
 P.111
■If the 12-volt batte ry is discharged
The trunk cannot be locked and unlocked 
using the smart access system with push-
button start or wireless remote control. 
Lock or unlock the trunk using the mechan-
ical key. ( P.361)
■Customization
The trunk unlocking operation can be 
changed. (Customizable features: 
 P.395)
Using the trunk grip, lower the trunk 
without applying force to the side and 
push the trunk down from the outside 
to close it.
Closing the trunk 

1183-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
• The electronic key is near the ground or in a high place, or too close to the rear 
bumper center when the trunk is opened.
• The electronic key is on the instrument  panel, rear package tray or floor, or in the 
door pockets or glove box when the 
engine 
engine switch 
changed.
●Do not leave the electronic key on top of 
the instrument panel  or near the door 
pockets when exiting the vehicle. 
Depending on the radio wave reception 
conditions, it may be  detected by the 
antenna outside the cabin and the doors 
will become lockable from the outside, 
possibly trapping the electronic key 
inside the vehicle.
●As long as the electron ic key is within the 
effective range, the doors may be locked 
or unlocked by anyone. However, only 
the doors detecting the electronic key 
can be used to unlock the vehicle.
●Even if the electronic  key is not inside the 
vehicle, it may be possible to start the 
engine 
key is near the window.
●The doors may unlock or lock if a large 
amount of water spla shes on the door 
handle, such as in the rain or in a car 
wash, when the electronic key is within 
the effective range. (The doors will auto-
matically be locked after approximately 
60 seconds if the d oors are not opened 
and closed.)
●If the wireless remote control is used to 
lock the doors when the electronic key is 
near the vehicle, there is a possibility that 
the door may not be unlocked by the 
entry function. (Use  the wireless remote 
control to unlock the doors.)
●When the lock operation is performed 
using the lock sensor, recognition signals 
will be shown up to two consecutive 
times. After this, no recognition signals 
will be given.
●If the door handle becomes wet while the 
electronic key is within the effective 
range, the door may lock and unlock 
repeatedly. In this case, follow the follow-
ing correction procedures to wash the  vehicle:
• Place the electronic key in a location 6 ft.  (2 m) or more away from the vehicle. 
(Take care to ensure that the key is not 
stolen.)
• Set the electronic key to battery-saving 
mode to disable the smart access system 
with push-button start. ( P.117)
●If the electronic key is inside the vehicle 
and a door handle becomes wet during a 
car wash, a message may be shown on 
the multi-information display and a 
buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To 
turn off the alarm, lock both side doors.
●If an outside door handle is not retracted 
during a car wash, a door may be opened 
or an outside door handle may be dam-
aged. Make sure that  the outside door 
handles are retracted before using the 
car wash.
●A sudden handle operation or a handle 
operation immediately after entering the 
effective range may prevent the doors 
from being unlocked. Touch the door 
unlock sensor and check that the doors 
are unlocked before pulling the door 
handle again.
●Unlocking the vehicle may take more 
time if another electronic key is within the 
effective range.
■When the vehicle is not driven for 
extended periods
●To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not 
leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2 m) 
of the vehicle.
●The smart access system with push-but-
ton start can be deactivated in advance.
■To operate the system properly
●Make sure to carry the electronic key 
when operating the system. Do not get 
the electronic key too close to the vehicle 
when operating the system from the out-
side of the vehicle.
Depending on the position and holding 
condition of the elec tronic key, the key 
may not be detected correctly and the 
system may not operate properly. (The 
alarm may go off accidentally, or the door 
lock prevention function may not oper-
ate.) 

1484-2. Driving procedures
4-2.Driving procedures
1Press the parking brake switch to 
check that the parking brake is set. 
(P.170)
Parking brake indicator will come on.
2 Firmly depress the brake pedal.
 and a message will be displayed on 
the multi-information display. 
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be 
started.
3 Press the engine switch shortly and 
firmly.
When operating the engine switch, one 
short, firm press is enough. It is not neces-
sary to press and hold the switch.
The engine will crank until it starts or for up 
to 30 seconds, whichever is less.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until 
the engine is completely started.
The engine can be started from any engine  switch mode.
■Engine switch illumination
According to the situation, the engine 
switch illumination operates as follows.
●When a door is opened, or the engine 
switch mode is changed from ACCES-
SORY or IGNITION ON mode to off, 
the engine switch illumination slowly 
blinks.
●When depressing the brake pedal with 
carrying the electronic key on your per-
son, the engine switch illumination rapidly 
blinks.
●When the engine sw itch is in ACCES-
SORY or IGNITION ON mode, the 
engine switch illumination illuminates.
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not 
have been deactivated. ( P.68) 
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●If a message related to  start-up is shown 
on the multi-information display, read the 
message and follow the instructions.
■If the 12-volt batte ry is discharged
The engine cannot be started using the 
smart access system with  push-button start. 
Refer to P.362 to restart the engine.
■Electronic key battery depletion
 P.104
Engine (ignition) switch 
(LC500)
Performing the following opera-
tions when carryin g the electronic 
key on your person starts the 
engine or changes engine switch 
modes.
Starting the engine 

1494-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Conditions affecting operation
 P.117
■Notes for the entry function
 P.117
■Steering lock function
●After turning the engine switch off and 
opening and closing the doors, the steer-
ing wheel will be lock ed due to the steer-
ing lock function. Operating the engine 
switch again automatically cancels the 
steering lock.
●When the steering lock cannot be 
released, “Push engine switch while turn-
ing the steering wheel in either direction” 
will be displayed on the multi-information 
display. 
Press the engine switch shortly and firmly 
while turning the steering wheel left and 
right.
●To prevent the steering lock motor from 
overheating, operation of the motor may 
be suspended if the engine is turned on 
and off repeatedly in  a short period of 
time. In this case, refrain from operating 
the engine switch. After about 10 sec-
onds, the steering lock motor will resume 
functioning.
■If there is a malfun ction in the smart 
access system with push-button start
If “Access System with Elec. Key Malfunc-
tion” is displayed on the multi-information 
display, the system may be malfunctioning. 
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus 
dealer immediately.
■Electronic key battery
 P.322
■Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and 
firmly, the engine switch mode may not  change or the engine may not start.
●If attempting to restart the engine imme-
diately after turning th
e engine switch off, 
the engine may not start in some cases. 
After turning the engine switch off, please 
wait a few seconds be fore restarting the 
engine.
■Customization
If the smart access system with push-button 
start has been deactivated in a customized 
setting, refer to P.359.
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in 
the driver’s seat. Do not depress the 
accelerator pedal while starting the 
engine under any circumstances. 
Doing so may cause an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle 
is moving, do not lock or open the doors 
until the vehicle reaches a safe and com-
plete stop. Activation of the steering lock 
in this circumstance may lead to an acci-
dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start 
or stalls frequently, have your vehicle 
checked by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction 
with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operat-
ing somewhat differently than usual, such 
as the switch sticking slightly, there may 
be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus 
dealer immediately. 

1514-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode 
for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION 
ON mode (the engine is not running) for 
more than an hour with the shift position in 
P, the engine switch will automatically turn 
off. However, this fu nction cannot entirely 
prevent the 12-volt battery discharge. Do 
not leave the vehicle with the engine switch 
in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode 
for long periods of time when the engine is 
not running.
■When the shift control system malfunc-
tions
When attempting to turn the engine switch 
off while there is a malfunction in the shift 
control system, the engine switch mode 
may change to ACCESSORY mode. In this 
case, ACCESSORY mode may be turned 
off by applying the parking brake and press-
ing the engine switch again. If there is a mal-
function in the system, have the vehicle 
inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
1 Press the parking brake switch to 
check that the parking brake is set. 
(P.170)
Parking brake indicator will come on.
2 Firmly depress the brake pedal.
 and a message will be displayed on 
the multi-information display. 
If it is not displayed,  the hybrid system can-
not be started.
When the shift position is N, the hybrid sys-
tem cannot start. Shift the shift position to P 
when starting the hybrid system. ( P.166)
3 Press the power switch shortly and 
firmly.
When operating the power switch, one 
short, firm press is enough. It is not neces-
sary to press and hold the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on, the 
hybrid system will operate normally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until 
the “READY” indicat or is illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started from any 
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in 
ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON 
mode for long period s of time without 
the engine running.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION 
ON” is displayed on the meter, the 
engine switch is not off.
Exit the vehicle after turning the 
engine switch off.
Power (ignition) switch 
(LC500h)
Performing the following opera-
tions when carrying the electronic 
key on your person starts the hybrid 
system or changes power switch 
modes.
Starting the hybrid system 

1524-2. Driving procedures
power switch mode.
4Check that the “READY” indicator 
is illuminated.
If the “READY” indicator changes from a 
flashing light to a solid light and the buzzer 
sounds, the hybrid system is starting nor-
mally.
The vehicle will not move when the 
“READY” indicator is off.
The vehicle can move when the “READY” 
indicator is on even if the engine is 
stopped. (The gasoline engine starts or 
stops automatically in accordance with the 
state of the vehicle.)
■Power switch illumination
According to the situation, the power 
switch illumination operates as follows.
●When a door is opened, or the power 
switch mode is changed from ACCES-
SORY or ON mode to off, the power 
switch illumination slowly blinks.
●When depressing the brake pedal with 
carrying the electron ic key on your per-
son, the power switch illumination rapidly 
blinks.
●When the power swit ch is in ACCES-
SORY or ON mode, the power switch 
illumination illuminates.
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have 
been deactivated. ( P.68) 
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●If a message related to start-up is shown 
on the multi-information display, read the 
message and follow  the instructions.
■When the ambient temperature is low, 
such as during winter driving conditions
●When starting the hybrid system, the 
flashing time of the “READY” indicator 
may be long. Leave the ve hicle as it is until 
the “READY” indicator is steady on, as 
steady means the vehicle is able to move.
●When the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is extremely cold (below approxi-
mately -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 temperature of the 
hybrid battery increases due to the out-
side temperature increase etc.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a 
hybrid vehicle
 P.62
■If the 12-volt batte ry is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started using 
the smart access syst em with push-button 
start. Refer to P.362 to restart the hybrid 
system.
■Electronic key battery depletion
 P.104
■Conditions affecting operation
 P.117
■Notes for the entry function
 P.117
■Steering lock function
●After turning the power switch off and 
opening and closing the doors, the steer-
ing wheel will be lock ed due to the steer-
ing lock function. Operating the power 
switch again automatically cancels the 
steering lock.
●When the steering lock cannot be 
released, “Push power switch while turn-
ing the steering wheel  in either direction” 
will be displayed on the multi-information 
display. 
Press the power switch shortly and firmly 
while turning the steering wheel left and 
right.