2013 Lexus ES300h brake

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
892. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
◆Outside rear view mirrors (vehicles with BSM)
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in the indicated vehicle’s
systems.
Warning lights
*1
(U.S.A.)
Brake system warning light
( → P. 7 5 1 )*1Electric power steering
system warning light
(→ P. 7 5 3 )
*1
(Canada)
Brake system warning light
(→ P. 7 5 1 )*1
Slip indicator ( →P. 7 5 3 )
*1
Charging system warning
light ( →P. 7 5 2 )
*1
(hybrid vehi-
cles)
Brake system warning light
(→ P. 7 5 3 )
*1
(U.S.A.)
Malfunction indicator
lamp ( →P. 7 5 2 )*1
(if equipped)
Automatic headlight level-
ing system warning light
(→ P. 7 5 3 )
*1
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator
lamp ( →P. 7 5 2 )Open door warning light
(→ P. 7 5 4 )
*1SRS warning light
(→ P. 7 5 2 )Low fuel level warning light
(→ P. 7 5 4 )

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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ......................180
Cargo and luggage ..................... 191
Vehicle load limits ....................... 194
Trailer towing ................................. 195
Dinghy towing............................... 196
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (gasoline vehicles) ....................197
Power (ignition) switch (hybrid vehicles) ......................204
EV drive mode (hybrid vehicles) .........................211
Automatic transmission (gasoline vehicles) ................... 214
Hybrid transmission (hybrid vehicles) ....................... 217
Turn signal lever ........................... 221
Parking brake ............................... 222
Horn.................................................223 4-3. Operating the lights
and wipers
Headlight switch......................... 224
Automatic High Beam ............. 228
Fog light switch ........................... 234
Windshield wipers and washer................................. 235
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ..... 239
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Cruise control ............................. 244
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................ 248
LDA (Lane Departure Alert) ........ 263
Intuitive parking assist ................ 271
Rear view monitor system ..... 284
Driving mode select switch ........................................... 296
Driving assist systems...............298
Hill-start assist control (hybrid vehicles) ......................304
PCS (Pre-Collision System)..........306
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ...... 313 •Blind Spot Monitor function ......................................317
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert function ....................................320
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips (hybrid vehicles) ..................... 323
Winter driving tips ..................... 326

180
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle
→P. 197, 204
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D.
(→ P. 214, 217)
Release the parking brake. ( →P. 222)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator
pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
Gasoline vehicles: If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time,
shift the shift lever to P or N. (→ P. 2 1 4 )
Hybrid vehicles: If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift
the shift lever to P. ( →P. 2 1 7 )
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving:
Starting the engine
Driving
Stopping
1
2
3
1
2

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
1814-1. Before driving
4
Driving
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Shift the shift lever to P. (→P. 214, 217)
Set the parking brake. (→ P. 222)
Press the “START STOP ENGINE” <“POWER”> switch to stop the
engine .
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on your
person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■When starting off on a uphill (hybrid vehicles)
The hill-start assist control is available. ( →P. 3 0 4 )
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows
may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially
slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because there
may be a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing the
steering and brakes from operating properly.
■Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine spee d may become high while driving. This is
due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to meet driv-
ing conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
●The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
●When the accelerator pedal is released
●When sport mode is selected ( →P. 296)
Pa r k i n g t h e ve h i c l e
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3

182
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
■Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
●For the first 186 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system. This type of brake system
needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake
shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding
down operation.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the
correct fuel. (→P. 8 3 7 )
■For efficient use (hybrid vehicles)
●Shift the shift lever to D when driving.
In the N position, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be generated.
The hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, requiring unnecessary engine
power to recharge.
●Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and decelera-
tion will make more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) without hav-
ing to use gasoline engine power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration.
Repeated acceleration consumes hybrid battery (traction battery) power, resulting
in poor acceleration. Battery power can be restored by driving with the accelerator
pedal slightly released.
●Shift the shift lever to P when parking.
In the N position, the hybrid battery (traction battery) does not recharge.
Leaving the shift lever in the N position for an extended period of time may dis-
charge the hybrid battery. The vehicle cannot run if the hybrid battery is dis-
charged.

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
1834-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■Eco-friendly driving
Gasoline vehicles: →P. 1 0 5
Hybrid vehicles: →P. 9 6
■Customization (gasoline vehicles)
Setting of Eco Driving Indicator Light can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 8 5 2 )
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine running
. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will
result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals prop-
erly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.
●Hybrid vehicles only: When the hybrid vehicles are driven using the electric
motor only, no engine noise is made. As such, pedestrians, people riding bicycles
or other people and vehicles in the surrounding area may not realize that the
vehicle is approaching. Even with the vehicle proximity notification system active,
people may not realize the vehicle is approaching when the surrounding area is
noisy and so forth. Therefore, take extra care while driving.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.

184
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
●During normal driving, do not turn off the engine . Turning the
engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking
control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more
difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as
it is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop
the vehicle in the normal way: →P. 74 1
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. ( →P. 2 1 5 , 2 1 8 )
●Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehicle.
●Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shift changing, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be affected.
■When shifting the shift lever
●Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is in a driving position, or
roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Gasoline vehicles: Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake
and steering performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
Hybrid vehicles: Doing so may result in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
●Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Gasoline vehicles: Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will dis-
engage the engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N
is selected.
Hybrid vehicles: Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disen-
gage the hybrid system. Engine braking is not available when N is selected.
●Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. Shift-
ing the shift lever to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected rapid accel-
eration of the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in death or serious
injury.