LEXUS LS500 2021 Owners Manual
Page 191 of 520
1914-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
and illuminate brighter than the parking 
lights.
●To make your vehicle more visible to 
other drivers during daytime driving, the 
daytime running lights turn on automati-
cally when all of the following conditions 
are met. (The daytime running lights are 
not designed for use at night.)
• The engine is running
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the   or 
* position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after 
they illuminate, even if the parking brake is 
set again.
●For the U.S.A.: Dayt ime running lights 
can be turned off by operating the switch.
●Compared to turning on the headlights, 
the daytime running light system offers 
greater durability and consumes less 
electricity, so it can help improve fuel 
economy.
■Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if an 
object is placed on th e sensor, or anything 
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detect-
ing the level of ambient light and may cause 
the automatic headlight system to malfunc-
tion.
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights are on: The head-
lights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds 
after the driver’s door is opened and 
closed if the engine switch is turned to 
ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The 
lights turn off immediately if   on the  key is pressed after all the doors are 
closed.)
●When only the tail lights are on: The tail 
lights turn off automatically if the engine 
switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode 
or turned off and the driver’s door is 
opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine 
switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the 
light switch off once and then back to   
or .
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is 
turned off or turned to ACCESSORY 
mode and the driver’s door is opened while 
the lights are turned on.
■Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatically 
adjusted according to the number of pas-
sengers and the loadin g condition of the 
vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not 
interfere with other road users.
■Windshield wiper linked headlight illu-
mination
When driving during daytime with the 
headlight switch turned to  , if the wind-
shield wipers are used, the headlights will 
turn on automatically after several seconds 
to help enhance the visibility of your vehicle.
■Battery-saving function
In order to prevent the battery of the vehicle 
from discharging, if the headlights and/or 
tail lights are on when  the engine switch is 
turned off the battery saving function will 
operate and automatically turn off all the 
lights after approximately 20 minutes. 
When the engine switch is turned to IGNI-
TION ON mode, the battery-saving func-
tion will be disabled.
When any of the following are performed, 
the battery-saving function is canceled 
once and then reactivated. All the lights will 
turn off automatically 20 minutes after the 
Battery-saving function has been reacti-
vated:
●When the headlight  switch is operated 
Page 192 of 520
1924-3. Operating the lights and wipers
●When a door or the trunk is opened or 
closed
■Welcome light illumination control
The parking lights and tail lights automati-
cally turn on at night when the doors are 
unlocked using the entry function or wire-
less remote control if the light switch is in 
the  position.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. 
(  P.476)
1 With the headlights on, push the 
lever away from you to turn on the 
high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the center 
position to turn the high beams off.
2Pull the lever toward you and 
release it to flash the high beams 
once.
You can flash the high beams with the 
headlights on or off.
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) 
secures excellent visibility at intersec-
tions and on curves by automatically 
adjusting the direction of the light axis 
of the headlights according to vehicle 
speed and the degree of the tire’s angle 
as controlled by steering input.
AFS operates at speeds of approximately 
6 mph (10 km/h) or higher.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. 
(  P.476)
 When the steering wheel or turn 
signal lever is operated while the 
headlights are on (low beam), a cor-
nering light will turn  on and light up 
the direction of movement of the 
vehicle. The cornering lights are 
designed to ensure excellent visibil-
ity when making a turn at an inter-
section.
However, when vehicle speed is more than 
approximately 22 mph (35 km/h), the cor-
nering lights will not turn on.
 When the shift position is in R while 
the headlights are on (low beam), 
both cornering lights will turn on. 
This is designed to enhance visibility 
when parking.
■Cornering lights
When the cornering lights are on for more 
than 30 minutes, they will turn off automati-
cally.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than 
necessary when the engine is not run-
ning.
Turning on the high beam head-
lights
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting 
System)
Cornering lights 
Page 193 of 520
1934-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
1Press the Automatic High Beam 
switch.
2 Turn the headlight switch to the 
 or   position.
When the headlight swit ch lever is in the low beam position, the AHB system will be 
enabled and the AHB indicator will illumi-
nate.
■Conditions to turn the high beams on/off 
automatically
●When all of the follo
wing conditions are 
met, the high beams will be turned on 
automatically (after approximately 1 sec-
ond):
• The vehicle speed is approximately 21  mph (34 km/h) or more.
• The area ahead of the vehicle is dark.
• There are no vehicles ahead with head-
lights or tail lights turned on.
• There are few streetlights on the road 
ahead.
●If any of the following conditions are met, 
the high beams will turn off automatically:
• The vehicle speed is below approxi- mately 17 mph (27 km/h).
• The area ahead of the vehicle is not dark.
• Vehicles ahead have  their headlights or 
tail lights turned on.
• There are many streetlights on the road  ahead.
■Camera sensor dete ction information
●The high beams may not be automatically 
turned off in the following situations:
• When a vehicle suddenly appears from 
around a curve
• When the vehicle is cut in front of by  another vehicle
• When vehicles ahead cannot be 
detected due to repeated curves, road 
dividers or roadside trees
• When vehicles ahead appear in a far-
away lane on a wide road
• When the lights of vehicles ahead are not  on
AHB (Automatic High 
Beam)
The Automatic High Beam uses a 
camera sensor located behind the 
upper portion of the windshield to 
assess the brightness of the lights of 
vehicles ahead, streetlights, etc., 
and automatically turns the high 
beams on or off as necessary.
WARNING
■Limitations of the Automatic High 
Beam
Do not overly rely on the Automatic High 
Beam. Always drive sa fely, taking care to 
observe your surroundings and turning 
the high beams on or off manually if nec-
essary.
■To prevent incorrect operation of the 
Automatic High Beam system
Do not overload the vehicle.
Activating the Automatic High 
Beam 
Page 194 of 520
1944-3. Operating the lights and wipers
●The high beams may be turned off if a 
vehicle ahead that is using fog lights with-
out its headlights turned on is detected.
●House lights, street lights, traffic signals, 
and illuminated billboards or signs and 
other reflective objects may cause the 
high beams to change to the low beams, 
or the low beams to remain on.
●The following factors may affect the 
amount of time taken for the high beams 
to turn on or off:
• The brightness of the headlights, fog  lights, and tail lights  of vehicles ahead
• The movement and direction of vehicles  ahead
• When a vehicle ahead only has opera-
tional lights on one side
• When a vehicle ahead is a two-wheeled  vehicle
• The condition of the road (gradient,  curve, condition of th e road surface, etc.)
• The number of passengers and amount of 
luggage in the vehicle
●The high beams may turn on or off unex-
pectedly.
●Bicycles or similar vehicles may not be 
detected.
●In the following situations the system may 
not be able to correctly detect the sur-
rounding brightness le vel. This may cause 
the low beams to remain on or the high 
beams to flash or dazzle pedestrians or 
vehicles ahead. In such a case, it is neces-
sary to manually switch between the high 
and low beams.
• When driving in  inclement weather 
(heavy rain, snow, fog, sandstorms, etc.)
• When the windshield is obscured by fog,  mist, ice, dirt, etc.
• When the windshield is cracked or dam-
aged
• When the camera sensor is deformed or  dirty
• When the temperature of the camera  sensor is extremely high
• When the surrounding brightness level is  equal to that of head lights, tail lights or 
fog lights
• When headlights or tail lights of vehicles  ahead are turned off, dirty, changing 
color, or not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow,  dust, etc. from a preceding vehicle
• When driving through an area of inter- mittently changing brightness and dark-
ness
• When frequently and repeatedly driving  ascending/descending roads, or roads 
with rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces 
(such as stone-paved roads, gravel roads, 
etc.)
• When frequently and repeatedly taking  curves or driving on a winding road
• When there is a highly reflective object 
ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or 
mirror
• When the back of a preceding vehicle is 
highly reflective, such as a container on a 
truck
• When the vehicle’s headlights are dam-
aged or dirty, or are not aimed properly
• When the vehicle is listing or titling due to  a flat tire, a trailer being towed, etc.
• When the headlights are changed  between the high beams and low beams 
repeatedly in an abnormal manner
• When the driver believes that the high  beams may be flashing or dazzling 
pedestrians or other drivers
■Temporarily lowering  sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be tempo-
rarily lowered.
1 Turn the engine switch off while the fol-
lowing conditions are met.
●The headlight switch is in   or  .
●The headlight switch le ver is in low beam 
position.
●Automatic High Beam switch is on.
2 Turn the engine switch to IGNITION 
ON mode.
3 Within 60 seconds after step 2 , repeat 
pushing the headlight  switch lever to the 
high beam position then pulling it to the 
low beam position quickly 10 times, 
then leave the leve r in the low beam 
position.
4 If the sensitivity is changed, the AHB 
indicator is turn on and off 3 times. 
Page 195 of 520
1954-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Switching to the high beams
Push the lever away from you.
The AHB indicator will turn off and the 
high beam indicator will turn on.
Pull the lever to its original position to acti-
vate the Automatic High Beam system.
■Switching to the low beams
Press the Automatic High Beam 
switch.
The AHB indicator will turn off.
Press the switch to activate the Automatic 
High Beam system again.
■Temporarily switching to the low 
beams
Pull the lever toward you and then 
return it to its original position.
The high beams are on while the lever is 
pulled toward you. However, after the lever  is returned to its original position, the low 
beams remain on for a certain period of 
time. Afterwards, the Automatic High 
Beam will be activated again.
■Temporarily switchin
g to the low beams
It is recommended to switch to the low 
beams when the high beam may cause 
problems or distress to other drivers or 
pedestrians nearby.
Turning the high beams on/off 
manually 
Page 196 of 520
1964-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Operating the   lever operates 
the wipers or washer as follows. When  is selected, the wipers will operate 
automatically when the sensor detects 
falling rain. The system automatically 
adjusts wiper timing in accordance 
with rain volume and vehicle speed. 1
 (U.S.A.) or   (Canada)
Off
2  Rain-sensing wiper operation
The wipers will operate automatically when 
the sensor detects fa lling rain. The system 
automatically adjusts wiper timing in 
accordance with rain volume and vehicle 
speed.
3  (U.S.A.) or   (Canada)
Low speed wiper operation
4  (U.S.A.) or   (Canada)
High speed wiper operation
5  (U.S.A.) or   (Canada)
Temporary operation
When   is selected, the sensor sen-
sitivity can be adjusted by turning the 
switch ring.
6 Increases the sensitivity
7 Decreases the sensitivity
Windshield wipers and 
washer
Operating the lever can switch 
between automatic operation and 
manual operation, or can use the 
washer.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may dam-
age the windshield.
Operating the wiper lever 
Page 197 of 520
1974-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
8 Windshield washer/wiper 
dual operation
Pulling the lever operates the windshield 
wipers and washer.
(After operating severa l times, the wipers 
operate once more time after a short delay 
to prevent dripping. However, the dripping 
prevention does not operate while the 
vehicle is moving.)
Vehicles with headlight cleaners:
When the engine switch is in IGNITION 
ON mode and the headlights are on, if the 
lever is pulled, the headlight cleaners will 
operate once. After this, the headlight 
cleaners will operate every 5th time the 
lever is pulled.
9* Rear camera washer opera-
tion
Pushing the lever operates the rear cam-
era washer and cleans the rear camera and 
the camera for the Digital Rearview Mirror.
*: Vehicles with Digital Rearview Mirror
■The windshield wiper and washer can be 
operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON 
mode.
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper opera-
tion
Even when the wipers are not in AUTO 
mode, vehicle speed affects the time until 
the drip prevention wiper sweep occurs.
With low speed windshield wiper operation 
selected, wiper operat ion will be switched 
from low speed to intermittent wiper opera-
tion only when the vehicle is stationary.
(However, when the sensor sensitivity is 
adjusted to the highest level, the mode can-
not be switched.)
■Raindrop sensor
●The raindrop sensor  judges the amount 
of raindrops.
An optical sensor is  adopted. It may not 
operate properly when sunlight from the  rising or setting of 
the sun intermittently 
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are 
present on the windshield.
●If the wiper is turned to AUTO mode 
while the engine swit ch is in IGNITION 
ON mode, the wipers will operate once 
to show that AUTO mode is activated.
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor 
is 185°F (85°C) or higher, or 5°F 
(-15°C) or lower, automatic operation 
may not occur. In this case, operate the 
wipers in any mode other than AUTO 
mode.
■If no washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not 
blocked if there is wash er fluid in the washer 
fluid reservoir.
■Front door opening linked windshield 
wiper stop function
When   is selected and the windshield 
wipers are operating, if a front door is 
opened while the vehicle is stopped and the 
P shift position is sele cted, operation of the 
windshield wipers will be stopped to pre-
vent anyone near th e vehicle from being 
sprayed by water from the wipers. When 
the front door is closed, wiper operation will 
resume.
■When stopping the engine in an emer-
gency while driving
If the windshield wipe rs are operating when  
Page 198 of 520
1984-3. Operating the lights and wipers
the engine is stopped, the windshield wipers 
will operate in high speed operation. After 
the vehicle is stopped, operation will return 
to normal when the engine switch is turned 
to IGNITION ON mode, or operation will 
stop when the driver’s door is opened.
■Outside rear view mirror defogger acti-
vation linked to windshield wiper opera-
tion
The outside rear view mirror defoggers 
automatically turn on when you operate the 
windshield wipers.
The outside rear view mirror defoggers 
automatically turn off approximately 15 
minutes after the wipers stop.
For details about the outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers:  P.324When the windshield wipers are not 
being used, they retract to below the 
hood. To enable the windshield wipers 
to be lifted when parking in cold condi-
tions or when replacing a windshield 
wiper insert, change the rest position of 
the windshield wipers to the service 
position using the wiper lever.
■Raising the wipers to the service 
position
Within approximately 45 seconds of 
turning the engine switch off, move the 
wiper lever to the   (U.S.A.) or   
(Canada) position and hold it for 
approximately 2 seconds or more.
The wipers will move to the service posi-
tion.
WARNING
■Caution regarding the use of wind-
shield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate 
unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or 
the windshield is subject to vibration in 
AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers 
or anything else do not become caught 
in the windshield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of washer 
fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer 
fluid until the windshield becomes warm. 
The fluid may freeze on the windshield 
and cause low visibility. This may lead to 
an accident, resulting in death or serious 
injury.
NOTICE
■When there is no washer fluid spray 
from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may 
be caused if the lever is pulled toward 
you and held continually.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other 
object. The nozzle will be damaged.
Changing the windshield wiper 
rest position/Lifting the wind-
shield wipers 
Page 199 of 520
1994-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Lifting the windshield wipers
While holding the hook portion   of 
the wiper arm, lift the windshield wiper 
from the windshield.
■Lowering the windshield wipers to the 
retracted position
With the windshield wi pers placed on the 
windshield, turn the engine switch to IGNI-
TION ON mode and then move the wiper 
lever to an operating position. When the 
wiper switch is turned  off, the windshield 
wipers will stop at the retracted position. 
Even if the wipers deviate while the engine 
switch is off, the wipe rs will return to the 
normal position.
NOTICE
■When lifting the windshield wipers
●Do not lift the windshield wipers when 
they are in the retracted position 
below the hood. Otherwise, they may 
contact the hood, possibly resulting in 
damage to a windshield wiper and/or 
the hood.
A
●Do not lift a windshield wiper by the 
wiper blade. Otherwise, the wiper 
blade may be deformed.
●Do not operate the wiper lever when 
the windshield wipe rs are lifted. Oth-
erwise, the windshield wipers may 
contact the hood, possibly resulting in 
damage to the windshield wipers 
and/or hood. 
Page 200 of 520
2004-4. Refueling
4-4.Refueling
Close all the doors and windows, 
and turn the engine switch off.
 Confirm the type of fuel.
■Fuel types
 P.465
■Fuel tank opening for unleaded gasoline
To help prevent incorrect fueling, your vehi-
cle has a fuel tank opening that only accom-
modates the special nozzle on unleaded 
fuel pumps.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp illumi-
nates
The malfunction indicator lamp may illumi-
nate erroneously if refueling is performed 
repeatedly when the fuel tank is nearly full.
Opening the fuel tank cap
Perform the following steps to open 
the fuel tank cap:
Before refueling the vehicle
WARNING
■When refueling the vehicle
Observe the following  precautions while 
refueling the vehicle. Failure to do so may 
result in death or serious injury.
●After exiting the vehicle and before 
opening the fuel door, touch an 
unpainted metal surface to discharge 
any static electricity. It is important to 
discharge static electricity before refu-
eling because sparks resulting from 
static electricity can cause fuel vapors 
to ignite while refueling.
●Always hold the grips on the fuel tank 
cap and turn it slowly to remove it.
A whooshing sound may be heard 
when the fuel tank cap is loosened. 
Wait until the sound cannot be heard 
before fully removing the cap. In hot 
weather, pressurized fuel may spray 
out the filler neck and cause injury.
●Do not allow anyone that has not dis-
charged static electricity from their 
body to come close to an open fuel 
tank.
●Do not inhale vaporized fuel.
Fuel contains substances that are 
harmful if inhaled.
●Do not smoke while refueling the vehi-
cle.
Doing so may cause the fuel to ignite 
and cause a fire.
●Do not return to the vehicle or touch 
any person or object that is statically 
charged.
This may cause static electricity to 
build up, resulting in a possible ignition 
hazard.
■When refueling
Observe the following precautions to 
prevent fuel overflowing from the fuel 
tank:
●Securely insert the fuel nozzle into the 
fuel filler neck.
●Stop filling the tank after the fuel noz-
zle automatically clicks off.
●Do not top off the fuel tank.
NOTICE
■Refueling
Do not spill fuel during refueling.
Doing so may damage the vehicle, such 
as causing the emission control system to 
operate abnormally or damaging fuel 
system components or the vehicle’s 
painted surface.