tires LEXUS LS500 2018 Owner's Manual

288 4-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) denly, such as at the entrance or exit of a
garage or underground parking lot
• When backing up in a dim environment
such as during dusk or in an underground
parking lot●
Even though there are no pedestrians in
the detection area, some objects, such as
the following, may be detected, possibly
causing the Parking Support Brake func-
tion (rear pedestri ans) to operate.
• Three dimensional objects, such as a
pole, traffic cone, fence, or parked vehi-
cle
• Moving objects, such as a car or motor-
cycle
• Objects moving toward your vehicle
when backing up, such as flags or pud-
dles (or airborne matter, such as smoke,
steam, rain, or snow)
• Cobblestone or gravel roads, tram rails,
road repairs, white lines, pedestrian
crossings or fallen leaves on the road
• Metal covers (gratings), such as those
used for drainage ditches
• Objects reflected in a puddle or on a wet
road surface
• The roadside or bumps on the road
•Shadows on the road ●
In some situations, such as the following,
the Parking Support Brake function (rear
pedestrians) may operate even though
there are no pedestrians in the detection
area.
• When backing up toward the roadside or
a bump on the road
• If the vehicle is significantly tilted, such as
when carrying a heavy load
• When backing up toward an
incline/decline
• If the suspension has been modified or
tires of a size other than specified are
installed
• If the rear of the vehicle is raised or low-
ered due to the carried load
• If an electronic component, such as a
backlit license plate or rear fog light, is
installed near the rear camera
• If a bumper protector, such as an addi-
tional trim strip, is installed to the rear
bumper
• If the orientation of the rear camera has
been changed due to a collision or other
impact, or remova l and installation • If a towing eyelet is in stalled to the rear of
the vehicle
• When water is flowing over the rear cam-
era lens
• When the rear camera is obscured (dirt,
snow, ice, etc. are at tached) or scratched
• If there is a flashing light in the detection
area, such as the emergency flashers of
another vehicle

2974-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4
Driving • Vehicles without Lexus Safety Sys-
tem+A: The brake pedal may move down
slightly after the ABS is activated.■
ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the
following cases, but it does not indicate that
a malfunction has occurred. ●
Operating sound heard from the engine
compartment when the brake pedal is
operated.●
Motor sound of the brake system heard
from the front part of the vehicle when
the driver’s door is opened.●
Operating sound heard from the engine
compartment when one or two minutes
passed after the stop of the engine.■
EPS, VGRS and DRS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a
motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction. ■
Automatic reactivation of TRAC and
VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems
off, the systems will be automatically
re-enabled in the following situations: ●
When the engine switch is turned off●
If only the TRAC system is turned off, the
TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed
increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are
turned off, automatic re-enabling will not
occur when vehicle speed increases.■
Reduced effectiveness of the EPS sys-
tem
The effectiveness of the EPS system is
reduced to prevent the system from over-
heating when there is frequent steering
input over an extended period of time. The
steering wheel may feel heavy as a result.
Should this occur, re frain from excessive
steering input or stop the vehicle and turn
the engine off. The EPS system should
return to normal within 10 minutes.
■
Secondary Collision Brake operating
conditions
The vehicle speed is approximately 6 mph
(10 km/h) or more and the airbag sensor detects a collision. (The Secondary Colli-
sion Brake will not operate when the vehicle
speed is below approximately 6 mph [10
km/h].) ■
Secondary Collision Brake automatic
cancellation
The Secondary Collision Brake is automati-
cally canceled in the following situations: ●
The vehicle speed drops below approxi-
mately 6 mph (10 km/h) ●
A certain amount of time elapses during
operation ●
The accelerator pedal is depressed a
large amount ■
When “Check VGRS System” or
“CHECK DRS” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The VGRS or DRS may not operate prop-
erly. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer.
WARNING■
The ABS does not operate effectively
when ●
The limits of tire gripping performance
have been exceeded (such as exces-
sively worn tires on a snow covered
road).
●
The vehicle hydroplanes while driving
at high speed on wet or slick roads.
■
Stopping distance when the ABS is
operating may exceed that of normal
conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the
vehicle’s stopping di stance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in
front of you, especially in the following
situations:
●
When driving on dirt, gravel or
snow-covered roads
●
When driving with tire chains
●
When driving over bumps in the road
●
When driving over roads with potholes
or uneven surfaces

298 4-5. Using the driving support systems
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) WARNING■
TRAC/VSC may not operate effec-
tively when
Directional control and power may not
be achievable while driving on slippery
road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC
system is operating. Drive the vehicle
carefully in conditions where stability and
power may be lost. ■
Hill-start assist control does not oper-
ate effectively when●
Do not overly rely on hill-start assist
control. Hill-start assist control may
not operate effectively on steep
inclines and roads covered with ice.●
Unlike the parking brake, hill-start
assist control is not intended to hold
the vehicle stationary for an extended
period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehi-
cle on an incline, as doing so may lead
to an accident.■
When the TRAC/VSC is activated
(vehicles without Lexus Safety Sys-
tem+A)
The slip indicator light flashes. Always
drive carefully. Re ckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular
care when the indicator light flashes.
■
When the TRAC/ABS/VSC is acti-
vated (vehicles with Lexus Safety Sys-
tem+A)
The slip indicator light flashes. Always
drive carefully. Re ckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular
care when the indicator light flashes.
■
When the TRAC/VSC systems are
turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed
appropriate to the road conditions. As
these are the system s to help ensure
vehicle stability and driving force, do not
turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless
necessary. ■
Secondary Collision Brake
Do not overly rely on the Secondary Col-
lision Brake. This system is designed to
help reduce the possibility of further
damage due to a secondary collision,
however, that effect changes according
to various conditions. Overly relying on
the system may result in death or serious
injury. ■
Replacing tires
Make sure that all ti res are of the speci-
fied size, brand, tread pattern and total
load capacity. In addition, make sure that
the tires are inflated to the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will
not function correctly if different tires are
installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further
information when replacing tires or
wheels. ■
Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or
modifying the suspensi on will affect the
driving assist systems, and may cause a
system to malfunction.

2994-6. Driving tips
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4
Driving 4-6.Driving tips
 Use fluids that are appropriate to
the prevailing outside temperatures. •Engine oil
• Engine coolant
•Washer fluid
 Have a service technician inspect
the condition of the battery.
 Have the vehicle fitted with four
snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the rear tires. *
Ensure that all tires are the specified size
and brand, and that chains match the size
of the tires. *
: Tire chains cannot be mounted on vehi-
cles with front and rear tires of differing
sizes.Winter driving tips Carry out the necessary prepara-
tions and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive
the vehicle in a manner appropriate
to the prevailing weather condi-
tions.
Preparation for winter
WARNING
■
Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of
vehicle control and cause death or seri-
ous injury.
●
Use tires of the specified size.
●
Maintain the recommended level of air
pressure. ●
Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120
km/h), regardless of the type of snow
tires being used. ●
Use snow tires on all, not just some
wheels. ■
When installing tire chains
Before installing tire chains, make sure to
disable all functions of the vehicle height
control of the electronically modulated
air suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle
height may change while installing the
tire chains and part or your body may be
caught under the vehicle, possibly caus-
ing injury. ( → P.293)■
Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle
being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury. ●
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), which-
ever is lower. ●
Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces
or over potholes. ●
Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
steering, sudden br aking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine
braking.
●
Slow down sufficiently before entering
a curve to ensure that vehicle control is
maintained.
●
Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
system. (if equipped)
●
Do not use LKA (Lane-Keeping
Assist) system. (if equipped)

300 4-6. Driving tips
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) Perform the following according to the
driving conditions:
 Do not try to forcib ly open a window
or move a wiper that is frozen. Pour
warm water over the frozen area to
melt the ice. Wipe away the water
immediately to prevent it from
freezing.
 To ensure proper operation of the
climate control system fan, remove
any snow that has accumulated on
the air inlet vents in front of the
windshield.
 Check for and remove any excess
ice or snow that may have accumu-
lated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s
roof, chassis, around the tires or on
the brakes.
 Remove any snow or mud from the
bottom of your shoes before getting
in the vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a
safe distance between you and the
vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced
speed suitable to road conditions. Park the vehicle and shift the shift posi-
tion to P without setting the parking
brake. The parking brake may freeze
up, preventing it from being released. If
the vehicle is parked without setting
the parking brake, make sure to block
the wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous
because it may cause the vehicle to
move unexpectedly, possibly leading to
an accident. 
Vehicles with front and rear tires of
the same size
Use the correct tire chain size when
mounting the tire chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire
size.
Side chain (0.12 in. [3 mm] in diam-
eter)
Cross chain (0.16 in. [4 mm] in
diameter) 
Vehicles with front and rear tires of
differing sizes
Tire chains cannot be mounted.
Snow tires should be used instead.NOTICE■
Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow
tires from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal and attach-
ment of snow tires affects the operation
of the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters.
Before driving the vehicle
When driving the vehicle When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
A
B

3014-6. Driving tips
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 4
Driving Regulations regarding the use of tire
chains vary depending on location and
type of road. Always check local regu-
lations before installing chains. ■
Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when
installing and removing chains: ●
Install and remove tire chains in a safe
location.●
Install tire chains on the rear tires. Do not
install tire chains on the front tires.●
Install tire chains on the rear tires as
tightly as possible. Retighten chains after
driving 1/4 ⎯ 1/2 mile (0.5 ⎯ 1.0 km).●
Install tire chains following the instruc-
tions provided with the tire chains.
To enable the windshield wipers to be
lifted when heavy snow or icy condi-
tions are expected, change the rest
position of the windshield wipers from
the retracted position below the hood
to the service position using the wiper
lever. ( → P.183)Regulations on the use of tire
chains
NOTICE■
Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.
Windshield wipers

361
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 6 6
Maintenance and care Maintenance and care .
6-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehi-
cle exterior ................................ 362
Cleaning and protecting the vehi-
cle interior ................................. 365
6-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
........................................................ 368
General maintenance ............. 369
Emission inspection and mainte-
nance (I/M) programs ......... 372
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
........................................................ 373
Hood............................................... 375
Positioning a floor jack............ 375
Engine compartment............... 377
Battery ........................................... 384
Tires ................................................ 386
Replacing the tire ...................... 396
Tire inflation pressure .............. 399
Wheels............................................ 401
Air conditioning filter............... 402
Electronic key battery ............. 403
Checking and replacing fuses
........................................................ 405
Light bulbs .................................... 408

3716-2. Maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 6
Maintenance and care Parking brake • Does the parking
brake operate nor-
mally?
•When parked on a
slope and the park-
ing brake is on, is the
vehicle securely
stopped?
Seat belts • Do the seat belts
operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should
not be damaged.
Seats • Do the seat controls
operate properly?
Steering wheel • Does the steering
wheel rotate
smoothly?
• Does the steering
wheel have the cor-
rect amount of free
play?
•There should not be
any strange sounds
coming from the
steering wheel.
Vehicle exterior Items Check points
Doors/trunk • Do the doors/trunk
operate smoothly?
Engine hood •Does the engine
hood lock system
work properly?
Fluid leaks •There should not be
any signs of fluid
leakage after the
vehicle has been
parked.Items Check points
Tires • Is the tire inflation
pressure correct?
• The tires should not
be damaged or
excessively worn.
• Have the tires been
rotated according to
the maintenance
schedule?
•The wheel nuts
should not be loose.
Windshield wip-
ers • The wiper blades
should not show any
signs of cracking,
splitting, wear, con-
tamination or defor-
mation.
• The wiper blades
should clear the
windshield without
streaking or skip-
ping.Items Check points

386 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) Terminals
Hold-down clamp
Check the battery condition by indica-
tor color.
Blue: Good condition
Red: Charging is necessary.
Have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer.
Clear: Replacement is necessary.
Have the battery checked by your
Lexus dealer. Check if the treadw ear indicators are
showing on the tires. Also check the
tires for uneven wear, such as excessive
wear on one side of the tread.
New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator The location of treadwear indicators is
shown by a “TWI” or “ ” mark, etc.,
molded into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indica-
tors are showing on a tire.Checking the battery condition A
B
A
B
C Tires Replace or rotate tires in accor-
dance with maintenance schedules
and treadwear.
Checking tires
A
B
C

3876-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 6
Maintenance and care ■
When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if: ●
The treadwear indicators are showing on
a tire.●
You have tire damage such as cuts, splits,
cracks deep enough to expose the fabric,
and bulges indicating internal damage●
A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be
properly repaired due to the size or loca-
tion of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus
dealer. ■
Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked
by a qualified technician even if it has sel-
dom or never been used or damage is not
obvious. ■
Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the
replacement tire is greater than 1/2 of the
Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of
either the front axle or the rear axle, which-
ever is greater.
For the GAWR, see the Certification Label.
For the maximum load of the tire, see the
load limit at maximum cold tire inflation
pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the
tire. ( → P.459)
■
Tire types
●
Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance
tires best suited to highway driving under
dry conditions. Since summer tires do not
have the same traction performance as
snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For
driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recom-
mended. When installing snow tires, be
sure to replace all four tires. ●
All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide
better traction in snow and to be adequate
for driving in most winter conditions as well
as for use year-round. All season tires,
however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in
heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires
fall short in accelerati on and handling per-
formance compared with summer tires in
highway driving. ●
Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy
roads, we recommend using snow tires. If
you need snow tires, select tires of the
same size, construction and load capacity
as the originally instal led tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equip-
ment, make sure your snow tires also have
radial construction. Do not install studded
tires without first checking local regula-
tions for possible restrictions. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels.
( → P.299) ■
If the tread on snow tires wears down
below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is
lost.
WARNING
■
When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to
prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to
parts of the drive train as well as danger-
ous handling characteristics, which may
lead to an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.