LEXUS LS600H 2015 Owners Manual

2194-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■When the power switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the power switch with
the shift lever in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact your Lexus dealer imme-
diately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
 P. 5 0 3
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 4 7 2
■If the smart access system with push-but ton start has been deactivated in a cus-
tomized setting
 P. 5 2 4
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering
lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the power switch for more th an 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3 times
or more in succession. ( P. 485)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emergency.
Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking
control, however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more dif-
ficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so.

2204-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on.
■When starting the hybrid system
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
●If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as
the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer
immediately.

2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on.
Pressing 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 cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it cannot
be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driv en 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 32
F (0C) 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. 113)
●Vehicle speed is about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode the electric moto r (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in re sidential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor pa rking lots etc. without concern for
noises and gas emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity notification system is active, the
vehicle may produce sound.

2224-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline 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.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
( P. 113)
●Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
●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-information display.
■Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distan ce ranges from a few hundred meters to
approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). Driving is possible at speeds of less than approxi-
mately 25 mph (40 km/h). However, depend ing on vehicle conditions, there are sit-
uations when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that is possible depends
on the hybrid battery [traction ba ttery] level and driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
Your Lexus is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engi ne noise is made. As such, pedestrians,
people riding bicycl es or other people and vehicles in the surrounding area may
not be aware of the vehicle starting off or approaching them. Therefore, take extra
care while driving even if the vehicle proximity notification system is active.

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
While the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever with the
brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is
completely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in D for normal
driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control accelerating forces andengine braking forces.
Hybrid transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionPurpose and condition
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NCondition in which the power is not transmitted
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (  P. 2 2 4 )

2244-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to the S position.
Changing the shift range allows restriction of the highest shift range, pre-
venting unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking
force to be selected.
Also, by controlling the transmission so that engine speed is higher when
compared with normal driving, acceleration response is improved.
The shift range can be selected by the shift lever.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to
S8, will be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is
automatically set to S4, S5, S6 or S7
according to vehicle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 8 levels of accelerating force and engine brak-
ing force.
●A lower shift range will provid e greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine speed
will also increase.
●If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 5, the shift range may automati-
cally range up in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
Selecting shift ranges in S mode
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2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■Sport mode/Comfort mode/Eco drive mode
P. 2 8 3
■Snow mode
Snow mode can be selected to suit the conditions when driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, such as on snow.
Press the switch.
The snow mode indicator light will
come on.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Selecting the driving mode

2264-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■S mode
●When the shift range is 6 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to 8.
●When the shift lever is moved toward “-”, the shift range is downshifted to a range
that enables engine braking force that is suitable to driving conditions.
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the S mode)
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 shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with cruise control or dyna mic radar cruise control with full speed
range activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine brak-
ing, engine braking will not activate beca use cruise control or dynamic radar cruise
control with full speed range will not be canceled.
●While driving in S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. (  P. 253, 257)
●When switching the driving mode to sp ort mode while driving in D position.
(  P. 2 8 3 )
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if th e power switch is turned off after driving
in snow mode.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 5 1 9
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehi-
cle skidding to the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid ba ttery (traction battery) will not be charged
even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever
in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge,
and this may result in the vehicle not being able to start.

2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■To discontinue flashing of the tu rn signals during a lane change
Operate the lever in the opposite direction.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flas h during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 5 6 4 )
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
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2284-2. Driving procedures
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light will
come on. (P. 2 3 0 )
Press and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and it is
necessary to operate the parking
brake while driving. The parking brake
is applied only while the switch is
being pressed.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake indi-
cator light goes off.
Parking brake
A selections can be made as desired from the following modes.
Manual mode
U.S.A. Canada
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