2015 Lexus ES300h overheating

831-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
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For safety and security
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery air vent
●Do not put foreign objects near the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction battery)
may overheat and be damaged.
●Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery) from
overheating.
●Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vent as this may cause a
short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).
●Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the vehicle. If
water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may be dam-
aged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
1012. Instrument cluster
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Instrument cluster
■ECO lamp and SPORT lamp
●When sport mode is selected, SPORT lamp (red) will illuminate.
●When all of the following conditions are satisfied and Eco-friendly driving, ECO
lamp (blue) will illuminate. (ECO lamp will become brighter the more Eco-friendly
driving you perform. Also, while the vehicle is stopped or the acceleration exceeds
Zone of Eco driving, ECO lamp turns off. (→P. 1 0 9 ) H o w e v e r, w h e n E c o d r i v e
mode is selected, while the vehicle is stopped or the acceleration exceeds Zone of
Eco driving, ECO lamp does not turn off.):
• Driving with the shift lever in D
• Either normal mode or Eco drive mode is selected.
• The vehicle speed is approximately 80 mph (130 km/h) or below.
■Tachometer (hybrid vehicles)
Hybrid System Indicator automatically switches to the tachometer when driving
mode is in sport mode.
■Engine speed (hybrid vehicles)
Engine speed is precisely controlled in order to help improve fuel efficiency and
reduce exhaust emissions etc.
There are times when the engine speed that is displayed may differ even when vehi-
cle operation and driving conditions are the same.
■Odometer and trip meter display
→ P. 209, 217
■Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of ECO lamp) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 7 3 0 )
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the
red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check
the engine after it has cooled completely. ( →P. 688, 691)

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ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(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_OM33B36U_(U)
2094-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended if
the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor
will resume functioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” is displayed on the multi-information
display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 5 8 4
■Operation of the “START STOP ENGINE” switch
●When operating the “START STOP ENGINE” switch, one short, firm press is
enough. If the switch is pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the “START
STOP ENGINE” switch mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and
hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the “START STOP
ENGINE” switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the
“START STOP ENGINE” switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting
the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a cus-
tomized setting
→P. 6 7 7
■Odometer and trip meter display
When the “START STOP ENGINE” switch is turned off, the odometer or trip meter
display will extinguish after approximately 30 seconds. “Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
“START STOP ENGINE” switch while turning
the steering wheel left and right.

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4-2. Driving procedures
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended if
the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this
case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. After about 10 seconds, the steering
lock motor will resume functioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” is displayed on the multi-information
display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the “POWER” switch
with the shift lever in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→P. 6 3 7
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 5 8 4
■Operation of the “POWER” switch
●When operating the “POWER” switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch
is pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the “POWER” switch
mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the “POWER”
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
“POWER” switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid sys-
tem.
■If the smart access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a cus-
tomized setting
→P. 6 7 7
“Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
“POWER” switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right.

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ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
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Interior features
Heated steering wheel∗/seat heaters∗/
seat ventilators
∗
∗
: If equipped
Heated steering wheel and seat heaters heat the side grips of the steer-
ing wheel and seats, respectively. Seat ventilators maintain good air-
flow by blowing air from the seats.
CAUTION
●Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories
comes in contact with the steering wheel and seats when the heater is on:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically challenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
●Observe the following precautions to prevent minor burns or overheating:
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat heater.
• Do not use seat heater more than necessary.
NOTICE
●Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do not stick
sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
●To prevent 12-volt battery discharge, do not use the functions when the hybrid
system is off.

6518-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
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When trouble arises
*: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance” or “Owner’s Manual Supple-ment” for the maintenance interval applicable to your vehicle.
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Indicates that the tire
position information can-
not be recognized
Drive for a short while
and check if the display
updates. If the radio wave condi-
tions improve, the dis-
play may return to
normal. If the tire pres-
sure is still not dis-
played after driving for
several minutes, stop
the vehicle in a safe
place, turn the “START
STOP ENGINE”
<“POWER”> switch off
then on again, and start
driving.
If the tire pressure is still
not displayed even
after repeating this sev-
eral times, have the
vehicle inspected at
your Lexus dealer.
Indicates that the pre-col-
lision system is not cur-
rently functional because
the grille cover or the
sensor is dirtyThis message also
appears when the pre-
collision system is not
functional due to over-
heating.
• Check the grille coverand the sensor and
clean them if they are
dirty.
• In case of overheating, the system will become
functional once the sys-
tem cools down.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)

688
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats (gasoline vehicles)
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air conditioning system,
and then stop the engine.
If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
After the engine has cooled down sufficiently, inspect the hoses and
radiator core (radiator) for any leaks.Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Lexus
dealer.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
●The needle of the engine coolant temperature gauge ( →P. 97) enters
the red zone or a loss of engine power is experienced. (For example,
the vehicle speed does not increase.)
●Steam comes out from under the hood.
Correction procedures
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