2014 Lexus ES300h Owner's Manual

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 still 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 than usual and the braking distance will
increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.

ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
1934-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving,
as this may restrain driving torque.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at
the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( →P. 7 9 2 )

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 suspension joints (where possible), and
the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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

196
ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight) (→P. 8 3 2 )
When 2 people with the combined weight of A lb. (kg) are riding in your
vehicle, which has a total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight) of B lb.
(kg), the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be C lb.
(kg) as follows:
B
*2 lb. (kg) — A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb. (kg)
*1: A = Weight of people
*2: B = Total load capacity
*3: C = Available cargo and luggage load In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of D lb. (kg) get
on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced E lb. (kg) as follows:
C lb. (kg) — D*4 lb. (kg) = E*5 lb. (kg)
*4: D = Additional weight of people
*5: E = Available cargo and luggage load
As shown in the example above, if the number of occupants increases, the
cargo and luggage load will be reduced by an amount that equals the
increased weight due to the additional occupants. In other words, if an
increase in the number of occupants causes an excess of the total load
capacity (combined weight of occu pants plus cargo and luggage load),
you must reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.
Calculation formula for your vehicle
1
2

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.