Page 216 of 908

216
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
■S mode
●When the shift range is S4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to S6.
●To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur.
●To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automatically
shifts to the top range when the temperature is too hot.
■When driving with cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine brak-
ing, engine braking will not activate while driving in S mode and downshifting to 5 or
4 because cruise control will not be canceled. ( P. 2 4 4 )
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
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.)
■If the S indicator does not come on or the D indicator is displayed even after shift-
ing the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the auto matic transmission system. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when the shift
lever is in D.)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 8 0 1
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift
lever to S cancels the function.)
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting
in an accident.
Page 219 of 908

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
2194-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■S mode
●When the shift range is S4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to S6.
●To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur.
■When driving with cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine brak-
ing, engine braking will not activate while driving in S mode and downshifting to S5
or S4 because cruise control will not be canceled. (P. 2 4 4 )
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
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.)
■If the S indicator does not come on or the D indicator is displayed even after shift-
ing the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the auto matic transmission system. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when the shift
lever is in D.)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 8 0 1
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the sh ift lever is in the D position. (Shifting
the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)
Page 225 of 908
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
2254-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on
the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high beams
once.
You can flash the high beams with the
headlights on or off.
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2
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232
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
●In the situations below, the system may not be able to correctly detect the sur-
rounding brightness levels, and may flash or expose nearby pedestrians to the high
beam. Therefore, you should consider turning the high beams on or off manually
rather than relying on the Automatic High Beam system.
• In bad weather (rain, snow , fog, sandstorms etc.)
• The windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt etc.
• The windshield is cracked or damaged.
• The camera sensor is deformed or dirty.
• Surrounding brightness levels are equal to those of headlights, tail lights or fog lights.
• Vehicles ahead have headlights or tail lights that are either switched off, dirty, are changing color, or are not aimed properly.
• When driving through an area of interm ittently changing brightness and dark-
ness.
• When frequently and repeatedly driving ascending/descending roads, or roads with rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved roads, gravel tracks
etc.).
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding road.
• There is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or a mirror.
• The vehicle’s headlights are damaged or dirty, or are not aimed properly.
• The vehicle is listing or titling, due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed etc.
• The driver believes that the high beam may be causin g problems or distress to
other drivers or pedestrians nearby.
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.
Turn the “START STOP ENGINE” <“POWER”> switch off while the following
conditions are met.
• The headlight switch is in or .
• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on. Tu r n t h e “ S T A R T S T O P E N G I N E ” < “ POWER”> switch to IGNITION ON
mode.
Within 5 seconds after , repeat pulling the headlight switch lever to the origi-
nal position then pushing it to the high beam position quickly 9 times, then leave
the lever in high beam position.
Automatic High Beam (headlights) may turn on even the vehicle is stopped.
1
2
32
Page 237 of 908

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
2374-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Raindrop sensor (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●If the wiper switch is turned to AUTO position while the “START STOP ENGINE”
<“POWER”> switch is in IGNITION ON mode, the wipers will operate once
to show that AUTO mode is activated.
●When the sensor sensitivity ring is turned toward high while in AUTO mode, the
wipers will operate once to indicate that the sensor sensitivity is enhanced.
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 185°F (85°C) or higher, or -22°F
(-30°C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate the
wipers in any mode other than AUTO mode.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
●The raindrop sensor judges the amount of
raindrops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are
present on the windshield.
CAUTION
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in AUTO mode (vehicles with
rain-sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpect edly if the sensor is touched or the
windshield is subject to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers or
anything else do not become ca ught in the windshield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fluid until the windshield becomes warm.
The fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause low visibility. This may lead to an
accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
Page 238 of 908
238
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled toward you
and held continually.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.
■When standing the windshield wipers up
Raise the wipers in line with the windshield. ( P. 3 2 9 )
Failure to do so may result in dama ge to the wipers and/or the hood.
Page 245 of 908
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
2454-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
To change the set speed, operate the lever until the desired set speed is
obtained.
Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Fine adjustment: Momentarily move
the lever in the desired direction.
Large adjustment: Hold the lever in
the desired direction.
The set speed will be increased or decreased as follows:
Fine adjustment: By approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time the lever is oper-
ated.
Large adjustment: The set speed can be increased or decreased continually until
the lever is released.
Pulling the lever toward you can-
cels the constant speed control.
The speed setting is also canceled
when the brakes are applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes the
constant speed control.
Resuming is available when the vehi-
cle speed is more than approximately
25 mph (40 km/h).
Adjusting the set speed
1
2
Canceling and resuming th e constant speed control
1
2
Page 247 of 908
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
2474-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON/OFF” button when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●During emergency towing