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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
6856-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Check the 12-volt battery as follows.
■12-volt battery exterior
Make sure that the 12-volt battery terminals are not corroded and that
there are no loose connections , cracks, or loose clamps.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■Checking 12-volt battery fluid
Check that the level is between the “UPPER LEVEL” and “LOWER
LEVEL” lines.
“UPPER LEVEL” line
“LOWER LEVEL” line
If the fluid level is at or below the
“LOWER LEVEL” line, add distilled
water.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads wear out
or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refil ling, there may be a serious problem.
12-volt battery (gasoline vehicles)
1
2
1
2
Page 686 of 908
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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Adding distilled waterRemove the vent plug.
Add distilled water.
If the “UPPER LEVEL” line cannot
be seen, check the fluid level by
looking directly at the cell.
Put the vent plug back on and close it securely.
■Before recharging
When recharging, the 12-volt battery prod uces hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Therefore, observe the following before recharging:
●If recharging with the 12-volt battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect
the ground cable.
●Make sure the “START STOP ENGINE” switch on the charger is off when con-
necting and disconnecting the charger cables to the 12-volt battery.
1
Low O.K.2
3
Page 687 of 908

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
6876-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
The engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the system.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the engine.
●Unlocking the doors using the smart access system with push-button start may not
be possible immediately after reconnecting the 12-volt battery. If this happens, use
the wireless remote control or the me chanical key to lock/unlock the doors.
●Start the engine with the “START STOP ENGINE” switch in ACCESSORY mode.
The engine may not start with the “START STOP ENGINE” switch turned off. How-
ever, the engine will operate normally from the second attempt.
●The “START STOP ENGINE” switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the 12-volt
battery is reconnected, the vehicle will return the “START STOP ENGINE” switch
mode to the status it was in before the 12-volt battery was disconnected. Make sure
to turn off the engine before disconnect the 12-volt battery. Take extra care when
connecting the 12-volt battery if the “START STOP ENGINE” switch mode prior to
discharge is unknown.
If the engine will not start even after mu ltiple attempts, contact your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■Chemicals in the 12-volt battery
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce hydro-
gen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death or serious
injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the 12-volt battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the 12-volt battery terminals with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match near the 12-volt battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●Wear protective safety glasses when working near the 12-volt battery.
●Keep children away from the 12-volt battery.
1
2
3
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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■Where to safely charge the 12-volt battery
Always charge the 12-volt battery in an open area. Do not charge the 12-volt bat-
tery in a garage or closed room where there is insufficient ventilation.
■How to recharge the 12-volt battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or less). The 12-volt battery may explode if
charged at a quicker rate.
■Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immediate medi-
cal attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
traveling to the nearest medical facility.
●If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical atten-
tion immediately.
●If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the clothing and
follow the procedure above if necessary.
●If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk . Get emergency medical attention imme-
diately.
NOTICE
■When recharging the 12-volt battery
Never recharge the 12-volt battery while th e engine is running. Also, be sure all
accessories are turned off.
■When adding distilled water
Avoid overfilling. Water spilled during 12-volt battery recharging may cause corro-
sion.
Page 690 of 908
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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
12-volt battery (hybrid vehicles)
The 12-volt battery is located on the
right-hand side of luggage com-
partment.
Remove the 12-volt battery cover.Install the cover
Lift the tab to se cure to the trunk
liner
Location
Removing the 12-volt battery cover
Installing the 12-volt battery cover
1
2
Page 691 of 908

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
6916-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Make sure that the 12-volt battery terminals are not corroded and that
there are no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■Before recharging
When recharging, the 12-volt battery prod uces hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Therefore, observe the following precautions before recharging:
●If recharging with the 12-volt battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect
the ground cable.
●Make sure the “POWER” switch on the charger is off when connecting and dis-
connecting the charger cables to the 12-volt battery.
■After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
●The hybrid system may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the system.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the hybrid system.
●Unlocking the doors using the smart access system with push-button start may not
be possible immediately after reconnecting the 12-volt battery. If this happens, use
the wireless remote control or the me chanical key to lock/unlock the doors.
●Start the hybrid system with the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY mode. The
hybrid system may not start with the “POWER” switch turned off. However, the
hybrid system will operate normally from the second attempt.
●The “POWER” switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the 12-volt battery is recon-
nected, the vehicle will return the “POWER” switch mode to the status it was in
before the 12-volt battery was disconnect ed. Make sure to turn off the “POWER”
switch before disconnect the 12-volt battery. Take extra care when connecting the 12-
volt battery if the “POWER” switch mode prior to discharge is unknown.
If the system will not start even after mult iple attempts at all methods above, contact
your Lexus dealer.
Exterior
1
2
1
2
3
Page 692 of 908

692
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■Chemicals in the 12-volt battery
The 12-volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may pro-
duce hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death
or serious injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the 12-
volt battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the 12-volt battery terminals with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match near the 12-volt battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●Wear protective safety glasses when working near the 12-volt battery.
●Keep children away from the 12-volt battery.
■Where to safely charge the 12-volt battery
Always charge the 12-volt battery in an open area. Do not charge the 12-volt bat-
tery in a garage or closed room wh ere there is insufficient ventilation.
■How to recharge the 12-volt battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or less). The 12-volt battery may explode if
charged at a quicker rate.
Page 693 of 908

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
6936-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immediate medi-
cal attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
traveling to the nearest medical facility.
●If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical atten-
tion immediately.
●If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the clothing and
follow the procedure above if necessary.
●If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk . Get emergency medical attention imme-
diately.
■When replacing the 12-volt battery
Use a 12-volt battery designed for this ve hicle. Failure to do so may cause gas
(hydrogen) to enter the passenger compartment, causing a fire or explosion.
For replacement of the 12-volt battery, contact your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
■When recharging the 12-volt battery
Never recharge the 12-volt battery while th e hybrid system is operating. Also, be
sure all accessories are turned off.