LEXUS LS600H 2017 Owners Manual

2514-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
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 any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional 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 any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
immediately.

2524-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
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, driven 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 0C (32F) 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. 131)
●Vehicle speed is about 40 km/h (25 mph) 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 motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor pa rking lots etc. without concern for
noises and gas emissions.

2534-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
■Starting the hybrid system in EV drive mode
If the hybrid system is started when the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine
will automatically start in order to warm up. Follow the procedure below to start the
hybrid system. This will prevent the gasoline engine from warming up, allowing noise
to be minimized.
■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. 131)
●Vehicle speed becomes more than about 40 km/h (25 mph).
●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 distance ranges from a few hundred meters to
approximately 1 km (0.6 mile). Driving is possible at speeds of less than approxi-
mately 40 km/h (25 mph). However, depending 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 battery] 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.
Press the power switch while pressing the EV
drive mode switch and firmly depressing the
brake pedal.

2544-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the vehi-
cle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicycles or other
people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle starting off or
approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

2554-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
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 and
engine 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. 257)

2564-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle shift
switch while the shift lever is in the D position.
Changing the shift range allows restri ction of the highest shift range, pre-
venting unnecessary upshifting and en abling 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 operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift
switches.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to
D7, will be displayed in the meter.
To return to normal D position driving,
the “+” paddle shift switch must be
held down for a period of time.
■Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher shift
range.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle shift
switches)
1
2
Meter displayFunction
D2 - D7
A gear in the range between D1 and the selected shift
range is automatically chosen depending on vehicle
speed and driving conditions
D1Setting the shift at D1

2574-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to the S position.
Changing the shift range allows restri ction of the highest shift range, pre-
venting unnecessary upshifting and en abling 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 or operating the “-” and
“+” paddle shift switches (if equipped).
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 provide 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
1
2

2584-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
■Sport mode/Comfort mode/Eco drive mode
 P. 334
■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.
■When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
The shift range is downshifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is
suitable to driving conditions.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range select ion in the D position (vehicles with pad-
dle shift switches)
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the “+” paddle shift switch is operated when the shift range is in range 7
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to other than D
■S mode
●When the shift range is 6 or lower, holdin g 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.
Selecting the driving mode

2594-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever or paddle shift switch (if equipped) is operated. (A buzzer will
sound twice.)
■When driving with cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control or dynamic 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 because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise
control or dynamic radar cruise control with full speed range will not be canceled.
●While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. ( P. 289, 293, 307)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
( P. 334)
■Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if th e power switch is turned off after driving
in snow mode.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift lever in
starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the power switch is in ON mode and
the brake pedal is being depressed.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a
problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional imme-
diately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift
lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Turn the power switch to ON mode ( P. 248) and check that the parking brake is
set.
Turn the power switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
1
2
3

2604-2. Driving procedures
LS600h/LS600hL_EE(OM50G20E)
Left-hand drive vehicles
Right-hand drive vehicles
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the
tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the but-
ton is pressed.
4
5
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the
tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the but-
ton is pressed.
4
5