Page 557 of 784
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
5577-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
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
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615
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
8-1. Essential information
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to
slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the engine .
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal wi th both feet to reduce vehicle
speed as much as possible.
Gasoline vehicles: To stop the
engine, press and hold the
“START STOP ENGINE” switch
for 2 consecutive seconds or
more, or press it briefly 3 times or
more in succession.
Hybrid vehicles: To stop the
hybrid system, press and hold the
“POWER” switch for 2 consecu-
tive seconds or more, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehi-
cle in the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more
or press briefly 3 times or more
4
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more
or press briefly 3 times or more
5
Page 618 of 784
6188-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
If your Lexus is transported by a flat
bed truck, it should be tied down at
the locations shown in the illustra-
tion.
If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45 .
Do not overly tighten the tie downs
or the vehicle may be damaged.
Towing with a wheel -lift type truck
From the frontFrom the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
Using a flat bed truck
Page 619 of 784
6198-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
Gasoline vehicles: If a tow truck is
not available in an emergency, your
vehicle may be temporarily towed
using a cable or chain secured to
the emergency towing eyelet. This
should only be attempted on hard
surfaced roads for 50 miles (80
km) at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steeri ng and brakes must be in good condi-
tion.
Hybrid vehicles: If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehi-
cle may be temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emer-
gency towing eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced
roads for short distances at under 18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steeri ng and brakes must be in good condi-
tion.
Emergency towing
Page 621 of 784
6218-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
Gasoline vehicles: Enter the vehicle being towed and start the engine.
If the engine does not start, turn the “START STOP ENGINE” switch to IGNI-
TION ON mode
Hybrid vehicles: Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid sys-
tem.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode.
Shift the shift position to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: P. 6 76
■While towing
If the engine is not running , the power assist for the brakes
and steering will not func tion, making steering and braking more difficult.
■Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in luggage compartment. ( P. 6 6 0 )
6
7
Page 624 of 784
624
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
●Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
●Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher
than normal.
●Changes in exhaust sound
●Excessive tire squeal when cornering
●Strange noises related to the suspension system
●Pinging or other noises related to the engine
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
●Appreciable loss of power
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches the
floor
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
Page 626 of 784

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ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds
The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake system.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
*: Brake system warning buzzer (hybrid vehicles): When there is a possible problem that could affect braking performance, the
warning light will come on an d a warning buzzer will sound.
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
P. 6 4 3
■Brake system warning light operation (hybrid vehicles)
Although depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may cause the red brake system
warning light to turn on and the buzzer to sound, this does not indicate a malfunction.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes
on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then goes off, this does
not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this
continues to occur, have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Stop the vehicle immediately. Cont inuing to drive the vehicle may
be dangerous.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*
•Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake booster system
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not released.
If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully released the
system is operating normally.
Page 627 of 784

6278-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehicle
that may lead to an acc ident. Immediately stop th e vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Lexus dealer.
Failure to investigate the cause of th e following warnings may lead to the
system operating abnormally and possib ly cause an accident. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Stop the vehicl e immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system (hybrid vehicles);
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system;
• The electronic automatic transmission control system (gaso-line vehicles); or
• The electronic hybrid transmission control system (hybrid vehicles)
SRS warning lightIndicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
•The ABS; or
• The brake assist system