2015 Lexus ES300h Owner's Manual

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■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the air
conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency (→P. 474). To improve air condition-
ing performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the “START STOP ENGINE”
<“POWER”> switch is turned off after driving in sport mode.

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Driving
Driving assist systems
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces
◆Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road
surfaces by controlling steering performance.
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control (hybrid vehicles)
→ P. 319
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be
aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and should not
be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.

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◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
◆PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
→ P. 321
XGasoline vehicles
The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC systems are
operating.
XHybrid vehicles
The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/ABS sys-
tems are operating.
When the TRAC/VSC/ABS (hybrid vehicles) systems are operat-
ing

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If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC system may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. Pressing to turn the system off may make it easier for you to rock the vehi-
cle in order to free it.
To turn the TRAC system off, quickly
press and release .
The “TRAC OFF” will be shown on the
multi-information display. Press
again to turn the system back
on.
■Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems
To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off, press and hold for more than 3 sec-
onds while the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on and the “TRAC OFF” will be shown on the
multi-information display.
Press again to turn the systems back on.
Disabling the TRAC system

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■When the message is displayed on the multi-information display showing that
TRAC has been disabled even if the VSC OFF switch has not been pressed
TRAC and hill-start assist control (hybrid vehicles) cannot be operated. Contact
your Lexus dealer.
■When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
The steering wheel may move from its straight forward position, but this will be cor-
rected automatically when driving.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC and TRAC systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating.
None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated (gasoline vehi-cles).
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated (gasoline vehicles).
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turing the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automatically re-
enabled in the following situations:
●When the “START STOP ENGINE” <“POWER”> switch is turned off
●If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed
increases.
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will not
occur when vehicle speed increases.

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■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheat-
ing when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steer-
ing wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive
steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The effec-
tiveness will improve after a short while.
CAUTION
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as excessively
worn tires on a snow covered road).
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal condi-
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the following situa-
tions:
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery
road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause
an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■When the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As
these are the systems help ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn the
TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.

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CAUTION
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire
inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are
installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect the
driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.

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Hill-start assist control (hybrid vehicles)
To engage hill-start assist control,
further depress the brake pedal
when the vehicle is stopped com-
pletely.
A buzzer will sound once to indicate
the system is activated. The slip indica-
tor will also start flashing.
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
●The system operates in the following situations:
• The shift lever is in a position other than P.
• The parking brake is not applied.
• The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●Hill-start assist control cannot be operated while the slip indicator light is illumi-
nated.
■Hill-start assist control
●While hill-start assist control is operating, the brakes remain automatically applied
after the driver releases the brake pedal. The stop lights and the high mounted
stoplight turn on.
●Hill-start assist control operates for about 2 seconds after the brake pedal is
released.
●If the slip indicator does not flash and the buzzer does not sound when the brake
pedal is further depressed, slightly reduce the pressure on the brake pedal (do not
allow the vehicle to roll backward) and then firmly depress it again. If the system still
does not operate, check that the operating conditions explained above have been
met.
Assists with starting off and temporarily maintains braking power even
if the foot is removed from the brake pedal when starting off on an
incline or a slippery slope.