2015 Lexus ES300h Owner's Manual

561-1. For safe use
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
CAUTION
■Front passenger occupant classification system precautions
●Do not recline the front passenger seatback so far that it touches a rear seat. This
may cause the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light to be illuminated, which indicates
that the passenger’s airbags will not deploy in the event of a severe accident. If the
seatback touches the rear seat, return the seatback to a position where it does
not touch the rear seat. Keep the front passenger seatback as upright as possible
when the vehicle is moving. Reclining the seatback excessively may lessen the
effectiveness of the seat belt system.
●If an adult sits in the front passenger seat, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illu-
minated. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the passenger to sit
up straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and with the seat belt worn cor-
rectly. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator still remains illuminated, either ask the pas-
senger to move to the rear seat, or if that is not possible, move the front passenger
seat fully rearward.
●When it is unavoidable to install a forward-facing child restraint system on the
front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front passenger seat
in the proper order. (→P. 6 2 )
●Do not modify or remove the front seats.
●Do not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Otherwise,
the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction of the detection sys-
tem. In this case, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Child restraint systems installed on the rear seat should not contact the front seat-
backs.
●Do not modify or replace the upholstery of the front seat.

571-1. For safe use
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1
For safety and security
Safety information for children
●It is recommended that children sit in the rear seats to avoid accidental
contact with the shift lever, wiper switch etc.
●Use the rear door child-protector lock or the window lock switch to
avoid children opening the door while driving or operating the power
window accidentally. (→P. 145, 177)
●Do not let small children operate equipment which may catch or pinch
body parts, such as the power window, hood, trunk, seats etc.
Observe the following precautions when children are in the vehicle.
Use a child restraint system appropri ate for the child, until the child
becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
CAUTION
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to have or
use the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral. There is
also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with the windows, the
moon roof or other features of the vehicl e. In addition, heat build-up or extremely
cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.

581-1. For safe use
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
Child restraint systems
Studies have shown that installing a child restraint on a rear seat is much
safer than installing one on the front passenger seat.
●Choose a child restraint system that suits your vehicle and is appropri-
ate to the age and size of the child.
●For installation details, follow the instructions provided with the child
restraint system.
General installation instructions are provided in this manual. (→P. 6 2 )
A child restraint system for a small child or baby must itself be properly
restrained on the seat with the LATCH anchors or the lap portion of the
lap/shoulder belt.
The laws of all 50 states of the U.S.A. and Canada now require the use
of child restraint systems.
Points to remember

591-1. For safe use
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For safety and security
Child restraint systems are classified into the following 3 types according
to the age and size of the child:
■Selecting an appropriate child restraint system
●Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child until the child becomes large
enough to properly wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
●If the child is too large for a child restraint system, sit the child on a rear seat and use
the vehicle’s seat belt. (→P. 3 2 )
Types of child restraints
XRear facing  Infant seat/con-
vertible seatXForward facing  Convertible
seat
XBooster seat

601-1. For safe use
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
CAUTION
■Child restraint precautions
●For effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child must
be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system depending on
the age and size of the child. Holding a child in your arms is not a substitute for a
child restraint system. In an accident, the child can be crushed against the wind-
shield, or between you and the vehicle’s interior.
●Lexus strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that conforms to
the size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
●Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat even
if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated.
In the event of an accident, the force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger
airbag can cause death or serious injury to the child if the rear-facing child
restraint system is installed on the front passenger seat.
●A forward-facing child restraint system may be installed on the front passenger
seat only when it is unavoidable. A child restraint system that requires a top tether
strap should not be used in the front passenger seat since there is no top tether
strap anchor for the front passenger seat. Adjust the seatback as upright as possi-
ble and always move the seat as far back as possible even if the “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator light is illuminated, because the front passenger airbag could inflate with
considerable speed and force. Otherwise, the child may be killed or seriously
injured.
●Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system on the
front or rear passenger seat. If installing a child restraint system with the seat belt
extender connected to the seat belt, the seat belt will not securely hold the child
restraint system, which could cause death or serious injury to the child or other
passengers in the event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or accident.
●Do not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the
door or the area of the seat, front and rear pillars or roof side rails from which the
SRS side airbags or SRS curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in
the child restraint system. It is dangerous if the SRS side airbags and curtain shield
airbags inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
●Make sure you have complied with all installation instructions provided by the
child restraint manufacturer and that the system is properly secured. If it is not
secured properly, it may cause death or serious injury to the child in the event of a
sudden stop, sudden swerve or accident.

611-1. For safe use
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For safety and security
CAUTION
■When children are in the vehicle
Do not allow children to play with the seat belt. If the seat belt becomes twisted
around a child’s neck, it may lead to choking or other serious injuries that could
result in death.
If this occurs and the buckle cannot be unfastened, scissors should be used to cut
the belt.
■When the child restraint system is not in use
●Keep the child restraint system properly secured on the seat even if it is not in use.
Do not store the child restraint system unsecured in the passenger compartment.
●If it is necessary to detach the child restraint system, remove it from the vehicle or
store it securely in the trunk. This will prevent it from injuring passengers in the
event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or accident.

621-1. For safe use
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
Installing child restraints
Child restraint LATCH anchors
LATCH anchors are provided for the
outboard rear seats. (Buttons display-
ing the location of the anchors are
attached to the seats.)
Seat belts equipped with a child
restraint locking mechanism (ALR/
ELR belts except driver’s seat belt)
(→P. 3 4 )
Anchor brackets (for top tether
strap)
An anchor bracket is provided for
each rear seat.
Follow the child restraint system manufacturer’s instructions. Firmly
secure child restraints to the seats using the LATCH anchors or a seat
belt. Attach the top tether strap when installing a child restraint.
The lap/shoulder belt can be used if your child restraint system is not
compatible with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethe rs for Children)
system.

631-1. For safe use
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For safety and security
Lower the head restraint in place
at the lowest position.
Widen the gap between the seat cushion and seatback slightly.
XTy p e A
Latch the hooks of the lower
straps onto the LATCH anchors.
If the child restraint has a top
tether strap, the top tether strap
should be latched onto the top
tether strap anchor.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint
system indicates the presence of
a lower connector system.
Installation with LATCH system
1
2
Canada only
3