2021 LEXUS LS500 brakes

311-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
Driver’s seat belt buckle switch
Airbag sensor assembly
Front impact sensors
Pop Up Hood computer assembly
Your vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based on the US
motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag sensor assembly (ECU)
controls airbag deployment based on information obtained from the sensors etc.
shown in the system components diagram above. This information includes crash
severity and occupant information. As the airbags deploy, a chemical reaction in
the inflators quickly fills the airbags with no n-toxic gas to help restrain the motion of
the occupants.
■If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
●Slight abrasions, burns, bruising etc., may
be sustained from SRS airbags, due to the
extremely high speed deployment (infla-
tion) by hot gases.
●A loud noise and white powder will be
emitted.
●Parts of the airbag module (steering
wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) as
well as the seats, parts of the front and
rear pillars, and roof side rails, may be hot
for several minutes. The airbag itself may
also be hot.
●The windshield may crack.
●All of the doors will be unlocked.
(  P.103)
●The brakes and stop lights will be con-
trolled automatically. ( P.305)
●The interior lights will turn on automati-
cally. ( P.343)
●The emergency flashers will be turned on
automatically. ( P.418)
●Fuel supply to the engine will be stopped.
( P.426)
●For Lexus Enform Safety Connect sub-
scribers, if any of the following situations
occur, the system is designed to send an
emergency call to the response center,
notifying them of the vehicle’s location
(without needing to push the “SOS” but-
ton) and an agent will attempt to speak
with the occupants to ascertain the level of emergency and assistance required. If
the occupants are unable to communi-
cate, the agent automatically treats the
call as an emergency and helps to dis-
patch the necessary emergency services.
(
 P.58)
• An SRS airbag is deployed.
• A seat belt pretensioner is activated.
• The vehicle is involved in a severe rear-end collision.
■PCS-linked SRS airbag deployment
control (vehicles with Lexus Safety Sys-
tem + A)
If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) deter-
mines that the possibility of a side collision is
high, the SRS side and curtain shield air-
bags will be prepared to operate.
■SRS airbag deployment conditions (SRS
front airbags/SRS seat cushion airbags)
●The SRS front airbags and SRS seat cush-
ion airbags will deploy in the event of an
impact that exceed s the set threshold
level (the level of fo rce corresponding to
an approximately 12 - 18 mph [20 - 30
km/h] frontal collision with a fixed wall
that does not move or deform).
However, this threshol d velocity will be
considerably higher in the following situa-
tions:
• If the vehicle strikes an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign pole, which can
move or deform on impact
• If the vehicle is involved in an underride
collision, such as a collision in which the
Q
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1644-1. Before driving
4-1.Before driving
■Starting the engine
 P.174
■Driving
1 With the brake pedal depressed,
shift the shift position to D.
(P.178)
Check that the shift position indicator
shows D.
2 If the parking brake is in manual
mode, release the parking brake.
(P.186)
3 Gradually release the brake pedal
and gently depress the accelerator
pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■Stopping
1 With the shift position in D, depress
the brake pedal.
2 If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an
extended period of time, shift the shift posi-
tion to P. ( P.180)
■Parking the vehicle
1 With the shift position in D, depress
the brake pedal to stop the vehicle
completely.
2 If the parking brake is in manual
mode, set the parking brake.
(P.186)
3 Shift the shift position to P.
(P.180)
Check that the shift position indicator
shows P and the parking brake indicator is
illuminated.
4 Press the engine switch to stop the
engine.
5 Slowly release the brake pedal.
6 Lock the door, making sure that you
have the electronic key on your
person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as
needed.
■Starting off on a steep uphill
1 Make sure that the parking brake is
set and shift the shift position to D.
2 Gently depress the accelerator
pedal.
3 Release the parking brake.
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because
visibility will be reduced, the windows
may become fogged-up, and the road
will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain,
because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on
an expressway in the rain, because there
may be a layer of wa ter between the tires
and the road surface, preventing the
steering and brakes from operating prop-
erly.
■Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine
speed may become high while driving. This
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 accelerato r pedal is released
●When the brake pedal is depressed
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be
observed to ensure safe driving:
Driving procedure

1664-1. Before driving
WARNING
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop
the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases
can be extremely hot. These hot parts
may cause a fire if there is any flamma-
ble material nearby.
●Vehicles without Lexus Safety System
+ A: During normal driving, do not turn
off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull
over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emer-
gency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way:
P.418
●Vehicles with Lexus Safety System + A:
During normal driving, do not turn off
the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, however,
power assist to the steering will be lost.
This will make it more difficult to steer
smoothly, so you should pull over and
stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if
it becomes impossible to stop the vehi-
cle in the normal way:
P.418
●Use engine braking (downshift) to
maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may
cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (
P.178)
●Do not adjust the positions of the
steering wheel, the seat, or the inside
or outside rear view mirrors while driv-
ing.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
●Always check that all passengers’
arms, heads or other parts of their
body are not outside the vehicle.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140
km/h) unless your vehicle has
high-speed capability tires. Driving
over 85 mph (140 km /h) may result in
tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your
vehicle are high-speed capability tires
or not before driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery road sur-
faces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and
steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehi-
cle.
●Sudden acceleration, engine braking
due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
●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
●Do not let the vehicle roll backward
while a forward driving position is
selected, or roll forw ard 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.
●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.

1684-1. Before driving
WARNING
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in the
vehicle. If a cigarette 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.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift
the shift position to P, stop the engine
and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
while the engine is running.
If the vehicle is parked with the shift
position in P but the parking brake is
not set, the vehicle may start to move,
possibly leading to an accident.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipes while
the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if
you accidentally move the shift lever or
depress the accelerator pedal, this could
cause an accident or fire due to engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is
parked in a poorly ventilated area,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the
vehicle, leading to death or a serious
health hazard.
■When braking
●When the brakes are wet, drive more
cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the
brakes are wet, and this may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently
than the other side. Also, the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehi-
cle.
●Vehicles without Lexus Safety System
+ A: If the brake booster device does
not operate, do not follow other vehi-
cles closely and avoid hills or sharp
turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but
the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual. Also, the brak-
ing distance will in crease. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
●Vehicles with Lexus Safety System + A:
If the electronically controlled brake
system does not operate, do not follow
other vehicles closely and avoid hills or
sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but
the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual. Also, the brak-
ing distance will in crease. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
●Vehicles without Lexus Safety System
+ A: Do not pump the brake pedal if
the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up
the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
●Vehicles without Lexus Safety System
+ A: The brake system consists of 2
individual hydraulic systems; if one of
the systems fails, the other will still
operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than
usual and the braking distance will
increase. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.

1694-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
●Vehicles with Lexus Safety System + A:
The brake system consists of 2 or more
individual hydraulic systems; if one of
the systems fails, the other(s) will still
operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than
usual and the braking distance will
increase. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.
■If the vehicle becomes stuck
Do not spin the wheels excessively when
a driven wheel is up in the air, or the vehi-
cle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may
damage the driveline components or
propel the vehicle forward or backward,
causing an accident.
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and
brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain the engine
output.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or
depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the
vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift
the shift position to P. Failure to do so
may cause the vehicle to move or the
vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the
accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in
either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power
steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road,
drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the
vehicle, etc.
●Make sure to idle the engine immedi-
ately after high-load driving. Stop the
engine only after the turbocharger has
cooled down.
Failure to do so may cause damage to
the turbocharger.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the fol-
lowing situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the
brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehi-
cle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal
sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat
tire (
P.438)
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded
after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause
the following serious damage to the vehi-
cle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water
immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded
road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure
to have your Lexus dealer check the fol-
lowing:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil
and fluid used for the engine, transmis-
sion, transfer (AWD models), differen-
tial, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller
shaft, bearings and suspension joints
(where possible), and the function of
all joints, bearings, etc.

1894-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
play. The parking brake will then be set
automatically.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released for a
period of about 3 minutes after the sys-
tem has started holding the brake, the
parking brake will be set automatically. In
this case, a warning buzzer sounds and a
message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●To turn the system off while the system is
holding the brake, firmly depress the
brake pedal and press the button again.
●The brake hold function may not hold the
vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep
incline. In this situation, it may be neces-
sary for the driver to apply the brakes. A
warning buzzer will sound and the
multi-information display will inform the
driver of this situation. If a warning mes-
sage is shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and follow the
instructions.
■When the parking brake is set automati-
cally while the system is holding the
brakes
Perform any of the follo wing operations to
release the parking brake.
●Depress the accelerator pedal. (The
parking brake will not be released auto-
matically if the seat belt is not fastened.)
●Operate the parking brake switch with
the brake pedal depressed.
Make sure that the pa rking brake indicator
light goes off. ( P.186)
■When an inspection at your Lexus
dealer is necessary
When the brake hold standby indicator
(green) does not illuminate even when the
brake hold switch is pressed with the brake
hold system operating conditions met, the
system may be malfun ctioning. Have the
vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer.
■If “Brake Hold Malfunction Press Brake
to Deactivate Visit Your Dealer” or
“Brake Hold Malfunction Visit Your
Dealer” is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The system may be ma lfunctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to
indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. If a warn-
ing message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, read the message and follow
the instructions.
■If the brake hold operated indicator
flashes
 P.433
WARNING
■When the vehicle is on a steep incline
When using the brake hold system on a
steep incline exercise caution. The brake
hold function may not hold the vehicle in
such a situation.
■When stopped on a slippery road
The system cannot stop the vehicle when
the gripping ability of the tires has been
exceeded. Do not use the system when
stopped on a slippery road.
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
The brake hold system is not designed
for use when parking the vehicle for a
long period of time. Turning the engine
switch off while the system is holding the
brake may release the brake, which
would cause the vehicle to move. When
operating the engine switch, depress the
brake pedal, shift the shift position to P
and set the parking brake.

2154-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Pedestrian alert
When the system determines that
there is a possibility of a frontal collision
with a stationary or moving pedestrian
in front of your vehicle, a message will
be displayed on the head-up display to
warn the driver.
■Pre-collision warning
When the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is high, a
buzzer will sound and a warning mes-
sage will be displayed on the
multi-information display to urge the
driver to take evasive action.
■Pre-collision brake assist
When the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is high,
the system applies greater braking
force in relation to how strongly the
brake pedal is depressed.
■Pre-collision braking
If the system determines that the possi-
bility of a frontal collision is extremely
high, the brakes are automatically
applied to help avoid the collision or
reduce the impact of the collision.
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
(vehicles with Lexus Safety
System + A)
The pre-collision system uses a
front radar sensor and front camera
to detect vehicles and pedestri-
ans/bicyclists in front of your vehi-
cle and front side radar sensors to
detect vehicles approaching from
the front left or right side. When the
system determines that the possi-
bility of a frontal collision with a
vehicle or pedestrian/bicyclist is
high, a warning operates to urge
the driver to take evasive action
and the potential brake pressure is
increased to help the driver avoid
the collision. If the system deter-
mines that the possibility of a frontal
collision with a vehicle or pedes-
trian/bicyclist is extremely high, the
brakes are automatically applied to
help avoid the collision or help
reduce the impact of the collision.
The pre-collision system can be dis-
abled/enabled and the warning tim-
ing can be changed. ( P.219)
System functions

2164-5. Using the driving support systems
■Intersection right/left turn assis-
tance
If the system determines that there is a
high possibility of a collision in the fol-
lowing situations, it will assist with
Pre-collision warning and, if necessary
Pre-collision braking. Depending on
the configuration of the intersection, it
may not be possible to support.
 When you turn right/left at an inter-
section and cross the path of an
oncoming vehicle
 When you turn right/left, pedestrian
is detected in the forward direction
and estimated to enter your vehi-
cle’s path (bicyclists are not
detected.)
■Active steering assist
If the system determines that the possi-
bility of a collision with an object, such
as a guardrail, or pedestrian is high,
even though the brakes are applied, and that the collision may be avoidable
through steering cont
rol, the system
will steer the vehicle automatically to
help avoid the collision or help reduce
the impact of the collision.
■Active Assist for seat belts (front
seats only)
If the system determines that the possi-
bility of a frontal collision is high, the
system will retract the seat belts. Addi-
tionally, the system may retract the seat
belts if the brakes are applied suddenly
or control of the vehicle is lost.
■Pre-collision seatbacks (front pas-
senger’s seat / power rear seat [if
equipped])
If the system determines that the possi-
bility of a frontal collision is high, it may
move the seatbacks of the front pas-
senger’s seat and power rear seats to
the upright position automatically, if
reclined.
If a seat is being adjusted, it may not be
moved by the pre-collis ion seat function.
■Suspension control
When the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is high,
the Adaptive Variable Suspension Sys-
tem ( P.304) will control the damp-
ing force of the shock absorbers to
help maintain an appropriate vehicle
posture.
■Steering control
When the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is high
and the driver is op erating the steering
wheel, the LDH system ( P.305) will
control the turning angle of the front