2015 Lexus ES350 Owner's Manual - ES 300h, ES 350

711-1. For safe use
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
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For safety and security
CAUTION
■When installing a child restraint system
●When a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the shoulder belt is posi-
tioned across the center of the child’s shoulder. The belt should be kept away from
the child’s neck, but not so that it could fall off the child’s shoulder. Failing to do so
may result in death or serious injury in the event of sudden braking, sudden
swerving or an accident.
●Ensure that the belt and plate are securely locked and the seat belt is not twisted.
●Shake the child restraint system left and right, and forward and backward to
ensure that it has been securely installed.
●After securing a child restraint system, never adjust the seat.
●Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufac-
turer.
■Do not use a seat belt extender
If a seat belt extender is used when installing a child restraint system, 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 sudden braking, sudden
swerving or an accident.
■To correctly attach a child restraint system to the anchors
When using the LATCH anchors, be sure that there are no foreign objects around
the anchors and that the seat belt is not caught behind the child restraint system.
Make sure the child restraint system is securely attached, or it may cause death or
serious injury to the child or other passengers in the event of sudden braking, sud-
den swerving or an accident.
●When using the left-hand rear seat for the
child restraint system, do not sit in the cen-
ter rear seat.
Seat belt function may be impaired, such
as being positioned overly high or loose-
fitting, which may result in death or serious
injury in the event of sudden braking, sud-
den swerving or an accident.

721-1. For safe use
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
Exhaust gas precautions
Harmful substance to the human body is included in exhaust gases if
inhaled.
CAUTION
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odor-
less. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases enter the vehicle and may lead to an acci-
dent caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
■Important points while driving
●Keep the trunk lid closed.
●If you smell exhaust gases in the vehicle even when the trunk lid is closed, open
the windows and have the vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
■When parking
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a garage, stop
the engine .
●Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a
long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow
build-up, or where it is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while
the engine is running , exhaust gases may collect and
enter the vehicle.
■Exhaust pipe
The exhaust system needs to be checked periodically. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure to have
the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Lexus dealer.

731-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
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For safety and security
Hybrid system features (hybrid vehicles)
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (traction motor)
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from
conventional vehicles. Be sure you ar e closely familiar with the charac-
teristics of your vehicle, and operate with care.
The hybrid system combines the use of a gasoline engine and an elec-
tric motor (traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving
fuel efficiency and redu cing exhaust emissions.
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741-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
◆When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped. During start off,
the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehicle. At slow speeds or
when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine is stopped and the elec-
tric motor (traction motor) is used.
◆During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor (traction
motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) as necessary.
◆When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is added to that of the gasoline engine
via the electric motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The electric motor (traction motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction
battery).
When driving with the gasoline engine stopped, a sound, which changes
in accordance with the driving speed, will be played in order to warn peo-
ple nearby of the vehicle’s approach. The sound will stop when the vehicle
speed exceeds approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).
Vehicle proximity notification system

751-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
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For safety and security
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and decel-
eration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift position in D or S.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift position in D or S.
■EV indicator
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop auto-
matically in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
●When the heater is switched on
■Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
●As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if the vehicle is left
parked for a long time the hybrid battery will slowly discharge. For this reason, be
sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or
10 miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and you are unable
to jump-start the vehicle with the 12-volt battery, contact your Lexus dealer.
●If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged.
Always put the shift lever in P when the vehicle is stopped. When driving in heavy
traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift lever in D or S to avoid discharging the bat-
tery.
■Charging the 12-volt battery
→P. 6 8 6
The EV indicator comes on when driving the
vehicle using only the electric motor (traction
motor).

761-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or has been changed or removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicles
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able to move.
For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift position to P when
parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is operating
and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind the rear
seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid transmission when the hybrid system starts
or stops.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is
depressed.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent on rear left seat.
■Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity notification system may be difficult for
surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification system is installed on the front of the vehi-
cle, it may be more difficult to hear from the rear of the vehicle compared to the
front.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and disposal.
Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the EV indicator) can be changed.
(Customizable features: → P. 7 3 0 )

771-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
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For safety and security
Hybrid system precautions (hybrid vehicles)
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it contains a high voltage
system (about 650 V at maximum) as well as parts that become
extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the caution
labels attached to the vehicle.
Air conditioning compressor
Power control unit with DC/
DC converter
High voltage cables (orange)
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) Service plug
Electric motor (traction motor)
Caution label1
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781-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B99U_(U)
There is an air intake vent beside the
rear left seat for the purpose of
cooling the hybrid battery (traction
battery). If the vent becomes
blocked, the hybrid battery may
overheat, leading to a reduction in
hybrid battery output.
When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the emer-
gency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current and stops the fuel
pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If the emer-
gency shut off system activates, your vehicle will not restart. To restart the
hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
A message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs in the
hybrid system or an improper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on
the multi-information display, read
the message and follow the instruc-
tions.
( →P. 6 3 6 )
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vent
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message