lexus LC500 2018 Owner's Manual

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4-2. Driving procedures
DrivingTurns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on, the EV
drive mode indicator will come on. Press-
ing the switch when in EV drive mode will
return the vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric motor
[traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode can-
not be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive
mode on in the following situations. If it can- not be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-infor-
mation display.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is
high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low. The vehicle has been left in temperatures
lower than about 0°C (32°F) for a long period of time etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) is
low. The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy monitor” display is low.
( P.104)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
●When the shift position is in M.
■Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gas- oline engine is cold, the gasoline engine will start automatically in order to warm up. In
this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
To prevent gasoline engine warm up in order to reduce noises, start the hybrid sys-
tem without starting the gasoline engine, pressing the power switch with fully depressing the brake pedal and pressing
the EV drive mode switch.
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive
mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gaso-
line engine may automatically restart in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound and the EV
drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
EV drive mode (LC500h)
In EV drive mode, electric power is
supplied by the hybrid battery
(traction battery), and only the
electric motor (traction motor) is
used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in res-
idential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor park-
ing lots etc. without concern for
noises and gas emissions.
Operating instructions

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4-2. Driving procedures
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.The remaining battery level indicated in
the “Energy monitor” display is low. ( P.104)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly
or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of
automatic cancelation in advance, a prior notice screen will appear on the multi-infor-mation display.
■Possible driving distance when driving in
EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance
ranges from a few hundred meters to approximately 1 km (0.6 mile). However, depending on vehicle conditions, there are
situations when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that is possible depends on
the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during nor-
mal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may
lower fuel economy.
■If “EV Mode Unavailable” is shown on the multi-information display
The EV drive mode is not available. The rea- son the EV drive mode is not available (the vehicle is idling, battery charge is low, vehi-
cle speed is higher than the EV drive mode operating speed range or accelerator pedal is depressed too much) may be displayed.
Use the EV drive mode when it becomes available.
■If “EV Mode Deactivated” is shown on the multi-information display
The EV drive mode has been automatically canceled. The reason the EV drive mode is
not available (the battery charge is low, vehicle speed is higher than the EV drive mode operating speed range or accelera-
tor pedal is depressed too much) may be
displayed. Drive the vehicle for a while before attempting to turn on the EV drive mode again.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay spe- cial attention to the area around the vehi-cle. Because there is no engine noise,
pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle starting
off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

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4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce
noise, set the shift position in D for nor-
mal driving. You can choose gear range
suitable for your driving situation by
operating the paddle shift switches.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driv-
ing in M mode.
■For the shift positions
●When the engine switch is off or in ACCESSORY mode, the shift position
cannot be changed.
●When the engine switch is in IGNITION
ON mode, the shift position can only be changed to N.
●When the engine is running, the shift position can be changed from P to D, N or R.
●The shift position can only be changed to
M directly from D.
In addition, if an attempt 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
Automatic transmission
(LC500)
Select the shift position depending
on your purpose and situation.
Shift position purpose and func-
tion
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/start-
ing the engine
RReversing
N
Neutral
(Condition in which the
power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2
( P.178)

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4-2. Driving procedures
R.
■To protect the automatic transmission
If the automatic transmission fluid tempera-
ture is high, “Transmission Fluid Temp High See Owner’s Manual” will be displayed on the multi-information display and the vehi-
cle will go into transmission protection mode automatically. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus retailer
or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control with full-
speed range activated
Even when performing the following
actions with the intent of enabling engine braking, engine braking will not be acti-vated because cruise control or dynamic
radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.
●While driving in the D position, down-shifting to 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 or 4.
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. ( P.242)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
 P.155
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically 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 M cancels the function.)
■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 positi on following the mes- sages on the multi-information display.
■After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
 P.325
■Customization
Settings (e.g. Reverse warning buzzer) can
be changed. (Customizable features: P.423)
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 shift control system
malfunctions are possible
If any of the following situations occur,
shift control system malfunctions are possible. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place on level ground, apply the
parking brake, and then contact any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
●When the warning message indicating the shift control system appears on the multi-information display.
●The display indicates that no shift posi-
tion is selected for more than a few seconds.

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4-2. Driving procedures
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 or R to P, from D 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.
Shift lever display:
The current shift position is illuminated.
When selecting the sh ift 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 lever
A
B
WARNING
■For the shift lever
●Do not remove the shift 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

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4-2. Driving procedures
■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 engine switch with the vehicle stopped while the engine switch is
in IGNITION ON mode and the shift position is in a positi on other than P (after the shift position has changed to P, the
engine switch will turn off)*
●When the vehicle is stopped after the engine has been stopped in an emer-gency while driving
●When voltage of the 12-volt battery drops while the shift position is in a posi-
tion other than P
*: When the engine 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
engine switch.
■If the shift position cannot be shifted
from P
There is a possibility that the 12-volt battery
is discharged. Check the 12-volt battery in this situation. ( P.392)
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 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, please wait for a while before attempting to change the shift
position again.

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4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
■Driving mode
 P.242
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the
conditions when driving 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 engine switch is tu rned 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 gear, prevent-
ing unnecessary upshifting and
enabling the level of engine braking
force to be selected.
1 Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to D10,
will be displayed in the meter.
To return to normal D position driving, the
“+” paddle shift switch must be held down
for a period of time.
A lower shift range will provide greater
engine braking forces than a higher shift
range.
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D
position
Meter displayFunction
D2 - D10
A gear in the range
between D1 and the
selected shift range is
automatically chosen
depending on vehicle
speed and driving condi-
tions
D1Setting the shift range at
D1

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4-2. Driving procedures
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for
more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is moved to D again
●When pressing and holding the “+” pad- dle shift switch
■Downshifting restriction 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.)
To enter M mode, shift the shift position
to M. Gears can be selected by oper-
ating the paddle shift switches, allowing
you to drive in the gear of your choos-
ing.
1 Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The gear changes once every time the
paddle shift switch is operated.
The selected gear, from M1 to M10, will be
fixed and displayed in the meter.
When in the M position, the gear will
not change unless the paddle shift
switches are operated.
However, even when in the M position,
the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situation:
 When vehicle speed drops (down-
shift only).
 When it is necessary to protect the
engine or automatic transmission
when the engine coolant tempera-
ture is low, the automatic transmis-
sion 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 restriction 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 sw itch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
The Gear Shift Indicator display is a
guide to help the driver achieve
improved fuel economy and reduced
exhaust emissions within limits of
engine performance.
Selecting gears in the M position
Gear Shift Indicator (if
equipped)

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4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
When not in operation
Shift-up indicator
■Gear Shift Indicator function
 This function automatically operates
during M mode.
 By following the Shift-up indicator
and shifting up accordingly, it is pos-
sible to achieve improved fuel econ-
omy and reduced exhaust
emissions.
 The Gear Shift Indicator does not
have a similar function for down-
shifting.
 Depending on the driving condi-
tions, the Gear Shift Indicator may
not display the Shift-up indicator
while driving in M mode.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce
noise, set the shift position in D for nor-
mal driving. You can choose gear range
suitable for your driving situation by
operating the paddle shift switches.
*2: Any gear range can be fixed when driv-
ing in M mode.
■For the shift positions
●When the power switch is off, the shift position cannot be changed.
●When the power switch is in ON mode (the hybrid system is not operating), the
shift position can only be changed to N.
●When the “READY” indicator is on, the
shift position can be changed from P to D, N or R.
●When the “READY” indicator is flashing, the shift position cannot be changed from
WARNING
■Gear Shift Indicator display
For safety, the driver should not look only at the display. Refer to the display when it
is safe to do so while considering actual traffic and road conditions. Failure to do so may lead to an accident.
A
B
Hybrid transmission
(LC500h)
Select the shift position depending
on your purpose and situation.
Shift position purpose and func-
tion
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/start-
ing the hybrid system
RReversing
N
Neutral
(Condition in which the
power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
MM mode driving*2
( P.184)

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4-2. Driving procedures
P to another position even if the shift lever is operated. Wait until the “READY” indi-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 attempt is made to change the shift position by moving the shift lever or by pressing the P positi on 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 fluid 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 any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range activated
●When cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range is
operating, the system does not respond to paddle shift switch operations.
●Even when the driving mode is switched to sport mode with the intent of enabling engine braking, cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control with full- speed range is not canceled and engine
braking is not activated.
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
 P.155
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suit-
able gear according to driver performance and driving conditions . The AI-SHIFT auto- matically operates when the shift position is
in D. (Shifting the shift position to M cancels the function.)
■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-