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.
1424-1. Before driving
WARNING
■When the vehicle is stopped
●LC500: Do not race the engine.
If the shift position is any position other
than P or N, the vehicle may acceler-
ate suddenly and unexpectedly, caus-
ing an accident.
LC500h: Do not depress the acceler-
ator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift position is any position other
than P or N, the vehicle may acceler-
ate suddenly and unexpectedly, caus-
ing an accident.
●LC500: In order to prevent accidents
due to the vehicle rolling away, always
keep depressing the brake pedal while
the engine is running, and apply the
parking brake as necessary.
LC500h: In order to prevent acci-
dents due to the vehicle rolling away,
always keep depressing the brake
pedal while stopped with the
“READY” indicator is illuminated, and
apply the parking brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline,
in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or back-
ward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake
as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed
while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which
could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters,
spray cans, or soft drink cans in the
vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plas-
tic material of glasses to deform or
crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior
of the vehicle, and may also cause a
short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical
components.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in the
vehicle. If a cigare tte lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the
floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is
adjusted, causing a fire.
●Do not attach adhesive discs to the
windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on
the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act
as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window open if
the curved glass is coated with a met-
allized film such as a silver-colored
one. Reflected sunlight may cause the
glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
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.
1534-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
●To prevent the steering lock motor from
overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on
and off repeatedly in a short period of
time. In this case, refrain from operating
the power 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.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come
on
In the event that the “READY” indicator
does not come on even after performing
the proper procedures for starting the vehi-
cle, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P.66
■Electronic key battery
P.322
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and
firmly, the power switch mode may not
change or the hybrid system may not
start.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid system
immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start
in some cases. After turning the power
switch off, please wait a few seconds
before restarting the hybrid system.
■Customization
If the smart access sy stem with push-button
start has been deactivated in a customized setting, refer to P.359.
1
Stop the vehicle completely.
2 If the parking brake is in manual
mode, set the parking brake.
(P.170)
3 Shift the shift position to P.
(P.166)
Check that the shift position indicator
shows P. ( P.165)
4 Press the power switch.
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sit-
ting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress
the accelerator pedal while starting the
hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the
vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and
complete stop. Activation of the steering
lock in this circumstance may lead to an
accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to
start, have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction
with the power switch
If the power 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.
Stopping the hybrid system
1594-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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
■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
1644-2. Driving procedures
cator changes from a flashing to a solid
light, and then operate the shift lever
again.
●The shift position can only be changed to
M directly from D.
In addition, if an atte mpt is made to change
the shift position by moving the shift lever or
by pressing the P position switch in any of
the following situations, the buzzer will
sound and the shifting operation will be dis-
abled or the shift position will automatically
change to N. When this happens, select an
appropriate shift position.
●Situations where the shifting operation
will be disabled:
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P to another position
by moving the shift lever without depress-
ing the brake pedal.
• When an attempt is made to change the shift position from P or N to M by moving
the shift lever.
• When the P position switch is pressed
while the vehicle is running.
*1
●Situations where the shift position will
automatically change to N:
• When an attempt is made to select the R
position by moving the shift lever when
the vehicle is moving forward.
*2
• When an attempt is made to select the D position by moving the shift lever when
the vehicle is moving in reverse.
*3
• When the shift position is changed from R to M
●If N is selected while driving at a certain
speed, even if the shift lever is not held in
the N position, the shift position changes
to N. In this situation, the buzzer sounds
and a confirmation message is displayed
on the multi-information display to inform
the driver that the shift position has
changed to N.
*1: Shift position may be changed to P when
driving at extremely low speeds.
*2: Shift position may be changed to R when driving at low speeds.
*3: Shift position may be changed to D when driving at low speeds.
■Reverse warning buzzer
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to
inform the driver that the shift position is in
R.
■To protect the hybrid transmission
If the transmission flui d temperature is high,
“Transmission Fluid Temp High See
Owner’s Manual” will be displayed on the
multi-information display and the vehicle
will go into transmission protection mode
automatically. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Lexus dealer.
■When driving with dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range activated
●When dynamic radar cruise control with
full-speed range is operating, the system
does not respond to paddle shift switch
operations.
●Even when the drivin g mode is switched
to sport mode with the intent of enabling
engine braking, dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range is not can-
celed and engine braking is not activated.
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start
Control)
P.139
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatica lly selects the suit-
able gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when
the shift position is in D. (Shifting the shift
position to the M position cancels the func-
tion.)
■If a message about a shift operation is
shown
To prevent the shift position from being
selected incorrectly or the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly, the shift position may
be changed automatically or operating the
shift lever may be required. In this case,
change the shift position following the mes-
sages on the multi-information display.
■After recharging/reconnecting the 12-
volt battery
P.303
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
1694-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
When the accelerator pedal is firmly
depressed.
When it is necessary to protect the
transmission fluid temperature is
high or low, or other reasons.
Also, the gear will not shift when the
vehicle speed is low, even if an upshift
operation is performed.
■Downshifting restrictions warning
buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor-
mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances,
downshifting may not be possible even
when the paddle shift switch is operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
1 Right turn
2 Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
3Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
4Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch
IGNITION ON mode
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear
turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a
lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions