LEXUS LS500 2018 Owner's Guide

311-1. For safe use
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 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.●
The emergency flashers will be turned on
automatically. ( → P.410)●
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 assi stance 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.355)
• An SRS airbag is deployed.
• A seat belt pretensioner is activated.
• The vehicle is involved in a severe
rear-end collision. ■
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
front of the vehicle underrides, or goes
under, the bed of a truck ●
The SRS front airbags for the front pas-
senger will not activate if there is no pas-
senger sitting in the front passenger seat.
However, the SRS front airbags for the
front passenger may deploy if luggage is
put in the seat, even if the seat is unoccu-
pied.
●
The SRS seat cushion airbags on the rear
seat will not operate if the occupant is not
wearing a seat belt.
■
SRS airbag deployment conditions (SRS
side and curtain shield airbags)
●
The SRS side and curtain shield airbags
will deploy in the event of an impact that
exceeds the set threshold level (the level Q
R
S
T

32 1-1. For safe use
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) of force corresponding to the impact
force produced by an approximately
3300 lb. [1500 kg] vehicle colliding with
the vehicle cabin from a direction per-
pendicular to the vehi cle orientation at an
approximate speed of 12 - 18 mph [20 -
30 km/h]).●
Both SRS curtain shield airbags may
deploy in the event of a severe side colli-
sion.●
Both SRS curtain shield airbags will
deploy in the event of vehicle rollover.●
Both SRS curtain shield airbags may also
deploy in the event of a severe frontal col-
lision.■
Conditions under which the SRS air-
bags may deploy (inf late), other than a
collision
The SRS front airbags, SRS curtain shield
airbags and SRS seat cushion airbags may
also deploy if a serious impact occurs to the
underside of your vehicle. Some examples
are shown in the illustration. ●
Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard
surface●
Falling into or jumping over a deep hole●
Landing hard or falling
The SRS curtain shield airbags may also
deploy under the situations shown in the
illustration.
●
The angle of vehicle tip-up is marginal.
●
The vehicle skids and hits a curb stone. ■
Types of collisions that may not deploy
the SRS airbags (SRS front airbags/SRS
seat cushion airbags)
The SRS front airbags and SRS seat cushion
airbags do not generally inflate if the vehicle
is involved in a side or rear collision, if it rolls
over, or if it is involv ed in a low-speed frontal
collision. But, whenever a collision of any
type causes sufficient forward deceleration
of the vehicle, deploy ment of the SRS front
airbags and SRS seat cushion airbags may
occur. ●
Collision from the side ●
Collision from the rear ●
Vehicle rollover
■
Types of collisions that may not deploy
the SRS airbags (SRS side and curtain
shield airbags)
The SRS side and curtain shield airbags
may not activate if the vehicle is subjected
to a collision from the side at certain angles,
or a collision to the side of the vehicle body
other than the passenger compartment.
●
Collision from the side to the vehicle
body other than the passenger compart-
ment
●
Collision from the side at an angle

331-1. For safe use
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 1
For safety and security The SRS side airbags do not generally
inflate if the vehicle is involved in a frontal or
rear collision, if it rolls ov er, or if it is involved
in a low-speed side collision. ●
Collision from the front●
Collision from the rear●
Vehicle rollover
The SRS curtain shield airbags do not gen-
erally inflate if the vehicle is involved in a
rear collision, if it pitc hes end over end, or if
it is involved in a low-speed side or
low-speed frontal collision. ●
Collision from the rear●
Pitching end over end
■
When to contact your Lexus dealer
In the following cases, the vehicle will
require inspection and/or repair. Contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
●
Any of the SRS airbags have been
inflated.
●
The front of the vehicle is damaged or
deformed, or was involved in an accident that was not severe enough to cause the
SRS front airbags and SRS cushion air-
bags to inflate.
●
A portion of a door or its surrounding
area is damaged, de formed or has had a
hole made in it, or the vehicle was
involved in an acci dent that was not
severe enough to cause the SRS side and
curtain shield airbags to inflate.
●
The pad section of the steering wheel,
dashboard near the front passenger air-
bag or lower portion of the instrument
panel is scratched, cracked, or otherwise
damaged.
●
Vehicles with power rear seat: The seat
cushion surface is scratched, cracked, or
otherwise damaged.

34 1-1. For safe use
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) ●
The surface of the seat s with the side air-
bag is scratched, cracked, or otherwise
damaged.
●
The portion of the front pillars, rear pillars
or roof side rail garnishes (padding) con-
taining the curtain shield airbags inside is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise dam-
aged. WARNING■
SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions
regarding the SRS airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or seri-
ous injury. ●
The driver and all passengers in the
vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental
devices to be used with the seat belts. ●
The SRS driver airbag deploys with
considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if the
driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) advises: Since
the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the
first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation,
placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from
your driver airbag provides you with a
clear margin of safety. This distance is
measured from the center of the steering
wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less
than 10 in. (250 mm) away now, you can
change your driving position in several
ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as
you can while still reaching the pedals
comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat.
Although vehicle designs vary, many
drivers can achieve the 10 in. (250
mm) distance, even with the driver seat
all the way forward, simply by reclining
the back of the seat somewhat. If
reclining the back of your seat makes it
hard to see the road, raise yourself by
using a firm, non-slippery cushion, or
raise the seat if your vehicle has that
feature.

351-1. For safe use
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 1
For safety and security WARNING
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt
it downward. This points the airbag
toward your chest instead of your head
and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recom-
mended by NHTSA above, while still
maintaining control of the foot pedals,
steering wheel, and your view of the
instrument panel controls. ●
If the seat belt extender has been con-
nected to the front seat belt buckles
but the seat belt extender has not also
been fastened to the latch plate of the
seat belt, the SRS front airbags will
judge that the driver and front passen-
ger are wearing the seat belt even
though the seat belt has not been con-
nected. In this case, the SRS front air-
bags may not activate correctly in a
collision, resulting in death or serious
injury in the event of a collision. Be
sure to wear the seat belt with the seat
belt extender.
●
The SRS front passenger airbag also
deploys with considerable force, and
can cause death or serious injury
especially if the front passenger is very
close to the airbag. The front passen-
ger seat should be as far from the air-
bag as possible with the seatback
adjusted, so the front passenger sits
upright. ●
Improperly seated and/or restrained
infants and children can be killed or
seriously injured by a deploying airbag.
An infant or child who is too small to
use a seat belt should be properly
secured using a child restraint system.
Lexus strongly recommends that all
infants and children be placed in the
rear seats of the vehicle and properly
restrained. The rear seats are safer for
infants and children than the front pas-
senger seat. ( → P.45)●
Do not sit on the edge of the seat or
lean against the dashboard.
●
Do not allow a child to stand in front of
the SRS front passenger airbag unit or
sit on the knees of a front passenger.
●
Do not allow the front seat occupants
to hold items on their knees.

36 1-1. For safe use
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) WARNING●
Do not lean against the door, the roof
side rail or the front, side and rear pil-
lars.
●
Do not allow anyone to kneel on the
passenger seats towa rd the door or
put their head or hands outside the
vehicle.
●
Do not attach anything to or lean any-
thing against areas such as the dash-
board, steering wheel pad and lower
portion of the in strument panel.
These items can become projectiles
when the SRS driver, front passenger
and knee airbags deploy. ●
Do not attach anything to areas such
as a door, windshie ld, side windows,
front or rear pillar, roof side rail and
assist grip.
●
Do not hang coat hangers or hard
objects on the coat hooks. All of these
items could become projectiles and
may cause death or serious injury,
should the SRS curtain shield airbags
deploy. ●
If a vinyl cover is put on the area where
the SRS knee airbag will deploy, be
sure to remove it. ●
Do not use seat accessories which
cover the parts where the SRS side air-
bags inflate as they may interfere with
inflation of the SRS airbags. Such
accessories may prevent the side air-
bags from activating correctly, disable
the system or cause the side airbags to
inflate accidentally, resulting in death
or serious injury.
●
Do not strike or apply significant levels
of force to the area of the SRS airbag
components or the front doors. Doing
so can cause the SRS airbags to mal-
function.
●
Do not touch any of the component
parts immediately after the SRS air-
bags have deployed (inflated) as they
may be hot.
●
If breathing becomes difficult after the
SRS airbags have deployed, open a
door or window to allow fresh air in, or
leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so.
Wash off any residue as soon as possi-
ble to prevent skin irritation.

371-1. For safe use
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 1
For safety and security WARNING●
If the areas where the SRS airbags are
stored, such as the steering wheel pad
and front and rear pillar garnishes are
damaged or cracked, have them
replaced by your Lexus dealer.●
Do not place anything, such as a cush-
ion, on the front passenger’s seat.
Doing so will disperse the passenger’s
weight, which prevents the sensor
from detecting the passenger’s weight
properly. As a result, the SRS front air-
bags for the front passenger may not
deploy in the event of a collision.■
Modification and disposal of SRS air-
bag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or per-
form any of the following modifications
without consulting your Lexus dealer.
The SRS airbags may malfunction or
deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing
death or serious injury. ●
Installation, remova l, disassembly and
repair of th e SRS airbags●
Repairs, modifications, removal or
replacement of the steering wheel,
instrument panel, da shboard, seats or
seat upholstery, front, side and rear pil-
lars, roof side rails, front door panels,
front door trims or front door speakers
●
Modifications to the front door panel
(such as making a hole in it)
●
Repairs or modifications of the front
fender, front bumper, or side of the
occupant compartment
●
Installation of a grille guard (bull bars,
kangaroo bar, etc. ), snow plows,
winches or roof luggage carrier
●
Modifications to the vehicle’s suspen-
sion system
●
Installation of electronic devices such
as mobile two-way radios and CD
players ●
Modifications to your vehicle for a per-
son with a physical disability

38 1-1. For safe use
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) Sensors
Hood
Lifters ■
Pop Up Hood precautions
●
Before scrapping your vehicle, make sure
to contact your Lexus dealer.
●
The Pop Up Hood system cannot be
reused once it has operated. Have it
replaced by your Lexus dealer. ■
Pop Up Hood operational conditions
The Pop Up Hood will operate when the
vehicle detects an impact such as the fol-
lowing: ●
The front bumper detects a frontal impact
equivalent to or grea ter than that of a
pedestrian while the vehicle being driven
within the operational speed range of
approximately 16 to 34 mph (25 to 55
km/h). (The system is operated by an
impact of threshold level or greater, even
in the case of a minor collision that may
not leave a trace on the front bumper.
Also, depending on the impact condi-
tions or vehicle speed, the system may
operate by a collision with a light or small
object or a small animal.) ●
In other situations, such as the following
the system may operate when an impact
is applied to the lower part of the vehicle
or front bumper:
• Colliding with a curb
• Falling into a deep hole
•Landing hard
• Hitting the slope of a parking lot, an
undulating road, a pr otruding object or
falling object ■
Conditions under which the Pop Up
Hood may not operate properly ●
If a pedestrian collides with the right or
left corner of the front bumper or the side
of the vehicle. As such impacts may be
difficult to detect, the system may not
operate. ●
If the vehicle speed is not detected cor-
rectly, such as if the vehicle is sliding side-
ways, the system may not operate
properly.
■
Conditions under which the Pop Up
Hood will not operate
The Pop Up Hood will not operate in the
following situations:
●
Colliding with a lying person
●
A frontal impact applied to the front
bumper while driving at speeds outside
of the operational speed range
●
A side impact or rear impact
●
A vehicle rollover (In some accident situ-
ations, the Pop Up Hood may operate.)Pop Up Hood In the event of a frontal collision
with a body, such as a pedestrian,
the Pop Up Hood system raises the
hood to reduce the possibility of a
serious impact to the pedestrian’s
head area by adding clearance to
the engine compartment.
When the sensors located at the
back of the front bumper detect a
frontal impact with a body, such as a
pedestrian, which meets or
exceeds the threshold level while
the vehicle is being driven within
the operational speed range, the
system operates.
System components
A
B
C

391-1. For safe use
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 1
For safety and security WARNING■
When the Pop Up Hood is operated●
Do not pull the hood lock release lever.
Doing so after the Pop Up Hood has
operated will further raise the hood
and may cause an injury. Do not drive
with the hood raised, as doing so may
block the driver’s vision, possibly caus-
ing an accident.●
Do not forcibly push down the hood.
As the popped up hood cannot be
lowered by hand, doing so may deform
the hood or cause an injury.●
If the Pop Up Hood has operated, have
it replaced by your Lexus dealer. If the
Pop Up Hood has operated, stop the
vehicle in a safe place and contact
your Lexus dealer.●
Do not touch the lifters immediately
after the Pop Up Hood has operated,
as the lifters may be hot and burn you.
NOTICE■
Pop Up Hood precautions●
Make sure to close the hood before
driving, as the system may not operate
properly if the hood is not fully closed.
●
Make sure that all 4 tires are of the
specified size and inflated to the speci-
fied tire pressure. If tires of a different
size are used, the system may not
operate properly.
●
If something has hit the area around
the front bumper, the sensors may be
damaged even if the Pop Up Hood has
not operated. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer.
●
Do not remove or repair the parts or
wiring of the Pop Up Hood, as doing
so may cause accidental operation or
prevent the system from operating
properly. If repair or replacement is
necessary, contact your Lexus dealer. ●
Do not remove such components as
the front bumper, hood or suspension,
or replace them with non-genuine
parts, as doing so may prevent the sys-
tem from operating properly. ●
Do not install anything to the front
bumper or hood, as doing so may pre-
vent the sensors fr om detecting an
impact correctly and prevent the sys-
tem from operating properly. ●
Do not close the hood with force or
apply load to the lifters, as doing so
may damage the lifters and prevent the
system from operating properly. ●
Do not modify the suspension, as
changes made to the vehicle height
may prevent the system from operat-
ing properly.

40 1-1. For safe use
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
SRS warning light 
For the U.S.A.
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light
“AIR BAG ON” indicator light 
For Canada
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light
“AIR BAG ON” indicator lightFront passenger occupant classification system Your vehicle is equipped with a front pa ssenger occupant clas sification system.
This system detects the conditions of th e front passenger seat and activates or
deactivates the front passenger airb ag and front passenger knee airbag.
System components
A
B
C
D
E
F
WARNING
■
Front passenger occupant classifica-
tion system precautions
Observe the following precautions
regarding the front passenger occupant
classification system.
Failure to do so may cause death or seri-
ous injury. ●
Wear the seat belt properly.
●
Make sure the front passenger’s seat
belt plate has not been left inserted
into the buckle before someone sits in
the front passenger seat.