2014 Lexus ES300h tow

1663-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
Steering wheel
XManual adjustment
Hold the steering wheel and pull
the lever down.
Adjust to the ideal position by
moving the steering wheel hori-
zontally and vertically.
After adjustment, pull the lever up to
secure the steering wheel.
XPower adjustment
Operating the switch moves the steeri ng wheel in the following directions:
Up
Down
Toward the driver
Away from the driver
Adjustment procedure
1
2
1
2
3
4

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ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ...................... 184
Cargo and luggage .................... 195
Vehicle load limits .......................198
Trailer towing ................................. 199
Dinghy towing............................. 200
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (gasoline vehicles) ................... 201
Power (ignition) switch (hybrid vehicles) ..................... 208
EV drive mode (hybrid vehicles) ....................... 215
Automatic transmission (gasoline vehicles) ................... 218
Hybrid transmission (hybrid vehicles) ....................... 221
Turn signal lever ..........................225
Parking brake ............................... 226
Horn................................................. 227 4-3. Operating the lights
and wipers
Headlight switch......................... 228
Automatic High Beam ............. 232
Fog light switch ...........................238
Windshield wipers and washer................................. 239
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ..... 243
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Cruise control ............................. 248
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................ 252
LDA (Lane Departure Alert) .........267
Intuitive parking assist .............. 275
Rear view monitor system .....288
Driving mode select switch .......................................... 300
Driving assist systems...............302
Hill-start assist control (hybrid vehicles) ..................... 308
PCS (Pre-Collision System)........... 310
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) .......317 •Blind Spot Monitor function ..................................... 321
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert function .................................... 324
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips (hybrid vehicles) ..................... 327
Winter driving tips .....................330

195
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Cargo and luggage
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 − 750 (5 × 150) = 650
lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be trans- ferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
(→P. 1 9 8 )
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your vehicle is not
designed for trailer towing.
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions,
cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution

ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
1974-1. Before driving
4
Driving
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the trunk
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly, may block
the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting the driver or passengers, possibly
causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the package tray
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
• In front of the navigation system screen, Lexus Display Audio system screen or the audio/air conditioning system display
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less than the total
load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. Improper loading may cause dete-
rioration of steering or braking control which may cause death or serious injury.

198
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): →P. 8 3 2
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximu m number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆Towing capacity
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label. (→ P. 7 1 2 )
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident.

199
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Trailer towing
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus
also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a
tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, sc ooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is
not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted car-
riers.

200
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.

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ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(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 excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range before the engine speed becomes too high.
●To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.
■When driving with cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine brak-
ing, the engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to 5 or
4. (→P. 2 4 8 )
■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 is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■If the S indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic 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 9
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
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.