Page 192 of 917

192
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move
the shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a
poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
■When braking
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause one side
of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the brake booster (gasoline vehicles) or brake actuator (hybrid vehicles) does
not operate, do not follow other vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that
require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.
●Gasoline vehicles only: Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
●Gasoline vehicles: The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if
one of the systems fails, the other will st ill operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Hybrid vehicles: The brake system consists of 2 or more individual hydraulic sys-
tems; if one of the systems fails, the other(s) will still operate. In this case, the brake
pedal should be depressed more firmly th an usual and the braking distance will
increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Page 194 of 917
194
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause
the following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, fluid used for automatic transaxle
, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the bearings and su spension joints (where possible), and
the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
Page 201 of 917
201
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Engine (ignition) switch (gasoline vehicles)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.
Press the “START STOP
ENGINE” switch.
The engine will crank until it starts or
for up to 30 seconds, whichever is
less.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the engine is completely started.
The engine can be started from any
“START STOP ENGINE” switch
mode.
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic key
on your person starts the engine or changes “START STOP ENGINE”
switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4
Page 202 of 917

202
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (P. 2 2 6 )
Press the “START STOP ENGINE” switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “POWER ON” on the multi-
information display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the “START STOP ENGINE” switch
with brake pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is
pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be used.
The multi-information display will not
be displayed.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as
the audio system can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other
than P when turning off the engine, the
“START STOP ENGINE” switch will
be turned to ACCESSORY mode,
not to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing “START STOP ENGINE” switch modes
1
2
3
4
5
Page 203 of 917
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P, the
“START STOP ENGINE” switch will not be turned off but instead be
turned to ACCESSORY mode. Perfo rm the following procedure to turn
the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” are displayed alter-
nately on the multi-information d isplay and then press the “START
STOP ENGINE” switch once.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Tur n Power OFF” on the multi-infor-
mation display are off.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4
Page 204 of 917

204
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION
ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P,
the “START STOP ENGINE” switch will automatically turn off. However, this func-
tion cannot entirely prevent 12-volt batter y discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with
the “START STOP ENGINE” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for
long periods of time when the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 1 3 6
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 1 3 2
■Notes for the entry function
P. 1 3 3
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 8 2 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift
lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P position to Start” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
■Steering lock
After turning the “START STOP ENGINE” switch off and opening and closing the
doors, the steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating
the “START STOP ENGINE” switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
Page 205 of 917

ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended if
the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor
will resume functioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” is displayed on the multi-information
display
The system may be malfunctio ning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 7 1 9
■Operation of the “START STOP ENGINE” switch
●When operating the “START STOP ENGINE” switch, one short, firm press is
enough. If the switch is pressed improper ly, the engine may not start or the “START
STOP ENGINE” switch mode may not chan ge. It is not necessary to press and
hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the “START STOP
ENGINE” switch off, the en gine may not start in some cases. After turning the
“START STOP ENGINE” switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting
the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-but ton start has been deactivated in a cus-
tomized setting
P. 8 1 0
■Odometer and trip meter display
When the “START STOP ENGINE” switch is turned off, the odometer or trip meter
display will extinguish afte r approximately 30 seconds.
“Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
“START STOP ENGINE” switch while turning
the steering wheel left and right.
Page 206 of 917

206
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accel-
erator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the doors
until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in
this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and
hold the “START STOP ENGINE” switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succession. (P. 74 9 )
However, do not touch the “START STOP ENGINE” switch while driving except in
an emergency. Turning the en gine 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.