LEXUS LS500H 2020 Owners Manual
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4
Driving
a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist may not be 
detected depending on the surrounding 
brightness and the motion, posture, and 
angle of the person, preventing the system 
from operating properly. (P.213)
The illustration shows an image of vehicles, 
pedestrians and bicyclists.
■Cancelation of pre-collision braking 
and active steering assist
If either of the following occur while the 
pre-collision braking function is operating, it 
will be canceled:
●The accelerator pedal is depressed 
strongly.
●The steering wheel is turned sharply or 
abruptly.
■Conditions under which the system may 
operate even if there  is no possibility of a 
collision
●In some situations such as the following, 
the system may determine that there is a 
possibility of a frontal collision and oper-
ate.
• When passing a vehicle, pedestrian or  bicyclist
• When changing lane s while overtaking a 
vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist
• When approaching a vehicle, pedestrian  or bicyclist in an adjacent lane or on the 
roadside, such as when changing the 
course of travel or  driving on a winding 
road
• When rapidly closing on a vehicle,  pedestrian, bicyclist, etc.
• When approaching objects on the road- side, such as vehicle, pedestrian, bicyclist, 
guardrails, traffic signs, utility poles, street 
lights, trees, walls, etc.
• When there is a vehicle, pedestrian, bicy-
clist or object by the roadside at the 
entrance of a curve
• When there are patterns or paint in front  of your vehicle that may be mistaken for a 
vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist
• When the front of your vehicle is hit by  water, snow, dust, etc.
• When overtaking a vehicle, pedestrian or 
bicyclist that is changing lanes or making 
a right/left turn
• When passing a vehicle, pedestrian or  bicyclist in an oncoming lane that is 
stopped to make a right/left turn
• When a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist  approaches very close and then stops 
before entering the pa th of your vehicle
• If the front of your vehicle is raised or low- ered, such as when on an uneven or 
undulating road surface 
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2124-5. Using the driving support systems
• When driving on a road surrounded by a structure, such as in a tunnel or on an iron 
bridge
• When there is a metal object (manhole  cover, steel plate, etc.), steps, dips, or a 
protrusion on the ro ad surface or road-
side
• When a crossing pedestrian or bicyclist  approaches very close to the vehicle
• When passing through a place with a low  structure above the road such as a low 
ceiling, underpass, br idge girder, traffic 
sign, etc.
• When passing under an object (road  sign, billboard, etc.)
• When approaching an electric toll gate  barrier, parking area  barrier, or other 
barrier that opens and closes
• When using an automatic car wash
• When driving through or under objects  that may contact the vehicle, such as thick 
grass, tree branches, or a banner • When driving through steam or smoke
• When driving near an object that reflects 
radio waves, such as a large truck or 
guardrail
• When driving near a TV tower, broad- casting station, electr ic power plant, or 
other location where  strong radio waves 
or electrical noise may be present
• When passing an oncoming vehicle on a 
narrow road
• When driving close to objects such as  walls or poles on a median
• When passing an oncoming vehicle  around a sharp curve
• When passing a vehicle which is making 
a left/right turn
• When being passed by a vehicle  approaching from the le ft or right side in 
front of your vehicle
• When making a left/right turn while a  vehicle is approachin g from the left or 
right side in front of your vehicle 
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Driving
• When passing an object on the side of the 
road, such as a parked vehicle
• When passing an oncoming vehicle on a  S curve
• When there is an object that may be mis-
taken for a pedestrian, such as a utility 
pole, tree, or pole on the roadside or at 
the entrance of a curve
• When there is a bicycle or motorcycle on  the roadside at the entrance of a curve
• If the preceding vehicle is a bicycle or 
motorcycle
●The system may operate the pedestrian 
alert unnecessarily if it detects the follow-
ing:
• Pedestrians on a sidewalk
• Bicycles and motorcycles
• Patterns or paint on the road, a wall,  median, billboard, etc. that may be mis-
taken for a pedestrian or bicyclist
■Situations in which the system may not 
operate properly
●In some situations, such as the following, 
a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist may not 
be detected by the sensors, preventing 
the system from operating properly:
• When a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist is  approaching your vehicle
• When your vehicle or a vehicle, pedes- trian or bicyclist is wobbling
• If a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist makes 
an abrupt maneuver (such as sudden 
swerving, acceleration or deceleration)
• When your vehicle approaches a vehicle, 
pedestrian or bicyclist rapidly
• When a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist is  not directly in front of your vehicle
• When a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist is  near a wall, fence, guardrail, manhole 
cover, vehicle, steel plate on the road, etc.
• When a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist is 
under a structure
• When part of a vehicle, pedestrian or  bicyclist is hidden by an object, such as 
large baggage, an umbrella, or guardrail
• When multiple vehicl es, pedestrians or 
bicyclists are close together
• If the sun or other light is shining directly  on a vehicle, pedestrian, bicyclist or 
guardrail ahead
• When a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist is  a shade of white and looks extremely 
bright
• When a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist  appears to be nearly the same color or 
brightness as its surroundings
• If a vehicles, pedestrians or bicyclists cuts  or suddenly emerges in front of your 
vehicle
• When the front of your vehicle is hit by  water, snow, dust, etc.
• When a very bright light ahead, such as 
the sun or the head lights of oncoming 
traffic, shines direct ly into the front cam-
era
• When approaching the side or front of a  vehicle ahead
• If a vehicle ahead is a motorcycle
• If a vehicle ahead is narrow, such as a per-
sonal mobility vehicle
• If a preceding vehicle has a small rear 
end, such as an  unloaded truck
• If a preceding vehicle has a low rear end,  such as a low bed trailer 
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2144-5. Using the driving support systems
• If a vehicle ahead has extremely high ground clearance
• If a vehicle ahead is carrying a load which  protrudes past its rear bumper
• If a vehicle ahead is irregularly shaped, 
such as a tractor or side car
• If a vehicle ahead is a child sized bicycle,  a bicycle that is carrying a large load, a 
bicycle ridden by more than one person, 
or a uniquely shaped  bicycle (bicycle with 
a child seat, tandem bicycle, etc.)
• If a pedestrian/or the riding height of a  bicyclist ahead is shorter than approxi-
mately 3.2 ft. (1 m) or taller than approxi-
mately 6.5 ft. (2 m)
• If a pedestrian/bicyclist is wearing over- sized clothing (a rain coat, long skirt, 
etc.), making their silhouette obscure
• If a pedestrian is bending forward or  squatting or bicyclist is bending forward
• If a pedestrian/bicyclist is moving fast
• If a pedestrian is pushing a stroller, wheel- chair, bicycle or other vehicle
• When driving in incl ement weather such 
as heavy rain, fog, snow or a sandstorm
• When driving through steam or smoke
• When the surrounding area is dim, such 
as at dawn or dusk, or while at night or in 
a tunnel, making a vehicle, pedestrian or 
bicyclist appear to be nearly the same 
color as its surroundings
• When driving in a place where the sur- rounding brightness  changes suddenly, 
such as at the entrance or exit of a tunnel
• When driving in a lo cation where there  are many objects which reflect radar, 
such as a tunnel or parking garage
• After the engine has started the vehicle 
has not been driven for a certain amount 
of time
• While making a left/right turn and for a 
few seconds after making a left/right turn
• While driving on a curve and for a few  seconds after driving on a curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or low- ered
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the front cam- era
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely  high speeds.
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or front camera is mis- aligned
• If the headlights are misaligned
• When approaching a guardrail at a wide  or narrow angle
• When a vehicle approaches your vehicle  from the front left or right side while your 
vehicle is entering an intersection with 
poor visibility
• When a vehicle approaches your vehicle  from the rear left or right side
• When a vehicle approaches the side of  your vehicle at a shallow angle
• When driving on a road with a grade that 
changes sharply (sha rp incline/decline)
• Pedestrians and bicyclists which are not  illuminated by the head lights at night, in a 
tunnel, etc.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists which change  speed or direction abruptly
• Pedestrians and bicyclists which suddenly 
emerge from behind a vehicle or large 
object
• Pedestrians and bicyclists which are 
extremely close to the side of the vehicle 
(outside rear view mirror, etc.) 
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Driving
●In some situations, such as the following, 
the sensors may not detect the lane lines 
or a safe space the vehicle can be steered 
into, preventing the active steering assist 
from operating properly:
• When the white (yellow) lane lines are 
difficult to see, such as when they are 
faint, diverging/merging, or a shadow is 
cast upon them
• When the lane is more wide or narrow  than normal
• When there is a light and dark pattern on 
the road surface, such as due to road 
repairs
• If the system determines that a collision 
can be avoided by only using the brakes
• When a pedestrian is detected near the  centerline of the vehicle
●In some situations such as the following, 
sufficient braking force or steering force 
may not be obtained, preventing the sys-
tem from performing properly:
• If the braking functions cannot operate to 
their full extent, such as when the brake 
parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, 
or wet
• If the vehicle is not properly maintained  (brakes or tires are excessively worn, 
improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven on a  gravel road or other slippery surface
• If there are deep ruts in the road
• When driving on a slope
• When driving on a horizontally slanted  road
●Some guardrails, such as the following, 
may not be detected by the sensors, pre-
venting the system from operating prop-
erly:
• Guardrails which are less than approxi-
mately 1.9 ft. (60 cm) tall
• Short guardrails
• Irregularly-shaped guardrails (wire cable  guardrails, guardrails made of thin poles, 
etc.)
• Guardrails which are not illuminated by  the headlights at night, in a tunnel, etc.
• Guardrails which appear  to be nearly the 
same color or brightness as their sur-
roundings
• Guardrails which appear  to be nearly the 
same shape as their surroundings (walls, 
etc.) • Guardrails which are over a metal object 
(manhole cover, steel plate, etc.)
• Guardrails which are hidden behind thick 
grass
• Guardrails which are extremely close to  the side of the vehicle (outside rear view 
mirror, etc.)
• Curved guardrails or guardrails at the  entrance of a curve
●In some situations su ch as the following, 
the system may detect a pedestrian and 
display a warning on the head-up display, 
even though no pedestrian exists:
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or low-
ered, such as when the road surface is 
uneven or undulating (due to ruts, etc.)
• When driving on a slope
• When driving on a horizontally slanted 
road
• If the driver’s posture (driver seat posi-
tion) is extreme, such as excessively 
reclined
• If the head-up display position is set 
extremely high
■If VSC is disabled
●If VSC is disabled ( P.297), the pre-col-
lision brake assist and pre-collision brak-
ing functions are also disabled.
●The PCS warning light will turn on and 
“VSC Turned Off Pre-Collision Brake 
System Unavailable” will be displayed on 
the multi-information display. 
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2164-5. Using the driving support systems
The system can detect the following:
Vehicles
 Bicyclists
 Pedestrians
■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.
■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, 
PCS (Pre-Collision System) 
(vehicles with Lexus Safety 
System + 2.0)
The pre-collision system uses a 
radar sensor and front camera to 
detect objects ( P.216) in front of 
the vehicle. When the system 
determines that the possibility of a 
frontal collision with an object 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 an object is extremely 
high, the brakes are automatically 
applied to help avoid the collision or 
help reduce the impact of the colli-
sion.
The pre-collision system can be dis-
abled/enabled and the warning tim-
ing can be changed. ( P.218)
Detectable objects
System functions 
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Driving
the Adaptive Variable Suspension Sys-
tem (P.298) 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 operating the steering 
wheel, the LDH system ( P.298) will 
control the turning angle of the front 
and rear wheels and effort necessary 
to turn the steering wheel to help 
enhance steering responsiveness.
WARNING
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
●The driver is solely responsible for safe 
driving. Always drive safely, taking 
care to observe your surroundings.
Do not use the pre-collision system 
instead of normal braking operations 
under any circumstances. This system 
will not prevent collisions or lessen col-
lision damage or injury in every situa-
tion. Do not overly rely on this system. 
Failure to do so may lead to an acci-
dent, resulting in death or serious 
injury.
●Although this system is designed to 
help avoid a collision or help reduce 
the impact of the coll ision, its effective-
ness may change according to various 
conditions, therefore the system may 
not always be able to achieve the same 
level of performance.
Read the following conditions care-
fully. Do not overly rely on this system 
and always drive carefully.
• Conditions under which the system  may operate even if there is no possi-
bility of a collision: 
P.220
• Conditions under which the system  may not operate properly: 
P.221
●Do not attempt to test the operation of 
the pre-collision system yourself.
Depending on the objects used for 
testing (dummies, cardboard objects 
imitating detectable objects, etc.), the 
system may not operate properly, pos-
sibly leading to an accident.
■Pre-collision braking
●When the pre-collision braking func-
tion is operating, a large amount of 
braking force will be applied.
●If the vehicle is stopped by the opera-
tion of the pre-collision braking func-
tion, the pre-collision braking function 
operation will be canceled after 
approximately 2 seco nds. Depress the 
brake pedal as necessary.
●The pre-collision braking function may 
not operate if certain operations are 
performed by the driver. If the acceler-
ator pedal is being depressed strongly 
or the steering wheel is being turned, 
the system may determine that the 
driver is taking evasive action and pos-
sibly prevent the pre-collision braking 
function from operating.
●In some situations, while the pre-colli-
sion braking function is operating, 
operation of the function may be can-
celed if the accelerator pedal is 
depressed strongly or the steering 
wheel is turned and the system deter-
mines that the driver is taking evasive 
action.
●If the brake pedal is being depressed, 
the system may determine that the 
driver is taking evasive action and pos-
sibly delay the operat ion timing of the 
pre-collision braking function.
■When to disable the pre-collision sys-
tem
In the following situations, disable the 
system, as it may not operate properly, 
possibly leading to an accident resulting 
in death or serious injury:
●When the vehicle is being towed 
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2184-5. Using the driving support systems
■Enabling/disabling the pre-colli-
sion system
The pre-collision system can be 
enabled/disabled on   ( P.80) of 
the multi-information display.
The system is automatically enabled each 
time the engine switch is turned to IGNI-
TION ON mode.
If the system is disabled, the PCS warn-
ing light will turn on and a message will 
be displayed on the multi-information 
display.
■Changing the pre-collision warn-
ing timing
The pre-collision warning timing can 
be changed on   ( P.80) of the 
multi-information display.
The warning timing setting is retained 
when the engine switch  is turned off. How-
ever, if the pre-collisio n system is disabled 
and re-enabled, the operation timing will 
return to the default setting (middle).
WARNING
●When your vehicle is towing another 
vehicle
●When transporting the vehicle via 
truck, boat, train or similar means of 
transportation
●When the vehicle is raised on a lift with 
the engine running and the tires are 
allowed to rotate freely
●When inspecting the vehicle using a 
drum tester such as a chassis dyna-
mometer or speedometer tester, or 
when using an on vehicle wheel bal-
ancer
●When a strong impact is applied to the 
front bumper or front grille, due to an 
accident or other reasons
●If the vehicle cannot be driven in a sta-
ble manner, such as when the vehicle 
has been in an accident or is malfunc-
tioning
●When the vehicle is driven in a sporty 
manner or off-road
●When the tires are not properly 
inflated
●When the tires are very worn
●When tires of a size other than speci-
fied are installed
●When tire chains are installed
●When a compact spare tire or an 
emergency tire puncture repair kit is 
used
●If equipment (snow plow, etc.) that may 
obstruct the radar sensor or front cam-
era is temporarily installed to the vehi-
cle
Changing settings of the pre-col-
lision system 
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Driving
1Early 2
Middle
This is the default setting.
3Late
■Operational conditions
The pre-collision system is enabled and the system  determines that the possibility of a frontal 
collision with a detect ed object is high.
Each function is operational at the following speed
●Pre-collision warning
●Pre-collision brake assist
●Pre-collision braking
Detectable objectsVehicle speedRelative speed between your 
vehicle and object
VehiclesApprox. 7 to 110 mph (10 to 
180 km/h)Approx. 7 to 110 mph (10 to 
180 km/h)
Bicyclists and pedestriansApprox. 7 to 50 mph (10 to 
80 km/h)Approx. 7 to 50 mph (10 to 
80 km/h)
Detectable objectsVehicle speedRelative speed between your vehicle and object
VehiclesApprox. 20 to 110 mph (30 
to 180 km/h)Approx. 20 to 110 mph (30 
to 180 km/h)
Bicyclists and pedestriansApprox. 20 to 50 mph (30 
to 80 km/h)Approx. 20 to 50 mph (30 
to 80 km/h) 
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2204-5. Using the driving support systems
The system may not operate in the following situations:
●If a battery terminal has been disconnected and reconnected and then the vehicle has not 
been driven for a certain amount of time
●If the shift position is in R
●When the VSC OFF indicator is  illuminated (only the pre-collision warning function will 
be operational)
■Object detection function
The system detects ob jects based on their 
size, profile, motion, etc.  However, an object 
may not be detected depending on the sur-
rounding brightness and the motion, pos-
ture, and angle of the detected object, 
preventing the system from operating prop-
erly. ( P.221)
The illustration shows an image of detect-
able objects.
■Cancelation of the pre-collision braking
If either of the following occur while the 
pre-collision braking function is operating, it 
will be canceled:
●The accelerator pedal is depressed 
strongly.
●The steering wheel is turned sharply or 
abruptly.
■Conditions under which the system may 
operate even if there  is no possibility of a 
collision
●In some situations such as the following, 
the system may determine that there is a 
possibility of a frontal collision and oper- ate.
• When passing a detectable object, etc.
• When changing lanes while overtaking a  detectable object, etc.
• When approaching a detectable object  in an adjacent lane  or on the roadside, 
such as when changing the course of 
travel or driving on a winding road
• When rapidly closing on a detectable  object, etc.
• When approaching objects on the road-
side, such as detectable objects, guard-
rails, utility poles, trees, or walls
• When there is detectable object or other 
object by the roadside at the entrance of 
a curve
• When there are patterns or paint in front 
Detectable objectsVehicle speedRelative speed between your  vehicle and object
VehiclesApprox. 7 to 110 mph (10 to 
180 km/h)Approx. 7 to 110 mph (10 to 
180 km/h)
Bicyclists and pedestriansApprox. 7 to 50 mph (10 to 
80 km/h)Approx. 7 to 50 mph (10 to 
80 km/h)