battery LEXUS LS600H 2015 Owner's Guide

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.

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.

2374-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■Battery-saving function
In the following conditions, the remaining lights will go off automatically after 20
minutes in order to prevent the vehicle battery from being discharged:
●The headlights and/or tail lights are on.
●The power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
This function will be canceled in any of the following situations:
●When the power switch is turned to ON mode.
●When the light switch is operated.
●When the door or trunk is opened or closed.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor se nsitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 5 6 4 )
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is off.

2934-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■Hill-start assist control is operational when
●The system has detected that the vehicle is moving backward.
●The shift lever is in the D or S position.
●The brake pedal is not depressed.
■VGRS is disabled when
VGRS may stop operating in the following situations.
In this event, the steering wheel may move from its straight forward position, but it
will return when the system restarts.
●When the steering wheel is operated for an extended period of time while the vehi-
cle is stopped or is moving very slowly
●When the steering wheel has been held fully to the left or right
●When the 12-volt battery is low or the voltage temporarily drops
The center position of the steering wheel may change when VGRS is disabled. How-
ever, the position will return to normal after VGRS is reactivated.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC, hill-start assist
control and VGRS systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, when the hybrid syst em is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred in
any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating.
None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
●The steering wheel may be moved slightly or a sound may be heard when the
hybrid system is started or stopped. None of these indicate that a malfunction has
occurred.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Reactivation of the TRAC/VSC systems
Even after the TRAC/VSC systems have been turned off, turning the hybrid system
off and then on again will automatically reactivate the TRAC/VSC systems.

3214-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
CAUTION
■Before using the Lexus night view
Never depend on this system only.
Lexus night view is intended as a supplemental aid to help you see pedestrians and
road conditions ahead of the vehicle. As there are limits to the system, do not rely
solely on the system while in use, and drive safely while observing the following
precautions.
■When using the Lexus night view
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Never drive while looking at the Lexus night view screen only.
●Do not look continuously at the Lexus night view screen while driving. Pedestri-
ans, objects etc. ahead of the vehicle may be overlooked by the system. The sys-
tem should always be used as a supplemental aid only.
●Lexus night view is designed to help you see objects better when driving in dark-
ness on a road with few curves. Do not use the Lexus night view in well-lit areas or
on roads with many curves or slopes. There may be areas that cannot be dis-
played by the system due to the road conditions (curve size, gradient, etc.)
●Lexus night view may be unable to project some features at an appropriate level
of brightness. Some or all parts of certain features may be dark or difficult to see.
Do not rely solely on the Lexus night view, and drive carefully while checking the
surroundings for safety, as you would with a normal vehicle. Also, the following
features and conditions may not be displayed clearly.
Features that are difficult to display:
• Clothing of a pedestrian made of a certai n kind of material (ex. leather jackets)
• The characters on signs and billboards
• The information on road signs
Conditions in which display is difficult:
• Unfavorable weather conditions such as rain, fog, snowfall, snow storms etc.
• There are large puddles of water on the road surface following rainfall
• The area of the windshield in front of the camera is fogged up, dirty or icy
• The areas around the headlights are covered with ice, snow, mud etc.
• The 12-volt battery voltage is remarkably low
• There are bright lights ahead of the vehicle

3254-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)●
Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside temperatures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect th e condition of the 12-volt battery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four sno w 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.
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparati ons and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate
to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter

3495-3. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■When the outside temperature exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air conditioning sys-
tem is on
●In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air conditioning
system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also reduce
fuel consumption.
●Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the power switch is
turned on.
●It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing .
■When the hybrid battery cooling system operates
●If the hybrid battery cooling system operat es when the air conditioning is off, a
message will be shown on the multi-information display and the air conditioning will
automatically turn on. ( P. 105)
●The sound of the air flow may change when cool air flows from the rear roof vents
or the air purifier is in operation. This occurs when the hybrid battery is being
cooled and does not indicate a malfunction.
■Automatic mode for air intake control
In automatic mode, the system detects ex haust gas and other pollutants and auto-
matically switches between outside air and recirculated air modes.
When the dehumidification function is off, and the fan is operating, turning automatic
mode on will activate the dehumidification function.
■Micro dust an d pollen filter
●In order to prevent the windshield from fogging up when the outside air is cold, the
following may occur:
• Outside air mode does not switch to (recirculated air) mode.
• The dehumidification function operates.
• The operation cancels after approximately 1 minute.
●In rainy weather, the windows may fog up. Press .
●In extremely humid weather, the windows may fog up.
●The pollens are filtered out even if the mi cro dust and pollen filter is turned off.
■Air purifier
The air purifier will turn on when turn ing the rear air conditioning system on.
■When the outside temperature falls to nearly 32 F (0C)
The dehumidification function may not operate even when “A/C” is selected.

3505-3. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air mode.
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into and
accumulate in the air condit ioning system. This may then cause odor to be emitted
from the vents.
●To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditio ning system be set to outside air mode
prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immedi- ately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic mode.
■Air conditioning filter
 P. 4 6 9
■Customization
Settings (e.g. exhaust gas sensor se nsitivity, etc.) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 5 6 4 )
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use
during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The differ-
ence between the temperature of the outs ide air and that of the windshield can
cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the hybrid
system is off.

3575-3. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
LS600hL_U(OM50E41U)
■Button lock function
To prevent inadvertent operatio n, the buttons on the rear controller for the air condi-
tioning system, rear sunshade, rear door sunshades, and audio system can be
locked.
The rear controller can be locked from the air conditioning operation screen.
(  P. 345)
■Rear control panel illumination off function
Control panel illumination on the re ar controller can be turned off.
■Replacing the rear air conditioning filter
Replacing the air conditioning filter when using rear air conditioning or air purifier
reduces air flow or deodorizing performance. ( P. 4 6 9 ) .
Press and hold the “MODE” switch until you
hear a beep to lock the buttons. Pressing the
“MODE” switch again until you hear a beep
will release the lock.
An indicator appears on the display when the
buttons are locked.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the hybrid
system is off.
Press and hold the “PWR” switch until you
hear a beep to turn the illumination off. Press-
ing the “PWR” switch again until you hear a
beep will turn the illumination on.