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ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)7-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly (with-
out uneven pedal effort or catching).
Hybrid transmission “Park”
mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P, isthe vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearance
from the floor? ( P. 5 4 0 )
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? ( P. 5 4 0 )
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when the
brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights aimed correctly?
Parking brake• Does the parking brake pedal move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on,is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts•Do the seat belt s operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of free play?
• There should not be an y strange sounds coming
from the steering wheel.
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
4397-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors/trunk• Do the doors/trunk operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work properly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakage after
the vehicle has been parked.
Ti r e s
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or excessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the mainte- nance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers
• The wiper blades should no t show any signs of crack-
ing, splitting, wear, contamination or deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield without
streaking or skipping.
WA R N I N G
■If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.
460
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses tire pres-
sure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire inflation pressure before
serious problems arise.
●If the tire pressure drops below a predet
ermined level, the driver is warned by
a screen display and a warning light. ( P. 5 0 1 )
●The tire pressure detected by the
tire pressure warning system can be
displayed on the multi-information
display. (P. 9 1 )
The illustration used is intended as an
example, and may differ from the image
that is actually displayed on the multi-
information display.
◆Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are installed, new ID
codes must be registered in the tire pressure warning computer and the tire
pressure warning system must be initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter ID codes registered by your Lexus dealer. ( P. 4 6 1 )
◆Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following circum-
stances:
●When rotating the tires.
●When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when changing travel-
ing speed or load weight.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire inflation
pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
Tire pressure warning system
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ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the fabric, and
bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be prop
erly repaired due to the size or location of
a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not registered, the tire
pressure warning system will not work proper ly. After driving for about 20 minutes, the
tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and stays on to indicate a system malfunc-
tion.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it has seldom
or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pressure checks.
Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine of daily vehicle checks.
■When rotating the tires
Make sure that the power switch is off. If the tires are rotated while the power switch is in
ON mode, the tire position information will not be updated.
If this accidentally occurs, either turn the power switch to off and then to ON mode, or
initialize the system after checking that the tire pressure is properly adjusted.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replacem ent tire is greater than 1 /2 of the Gross
Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is
greater.
For the GAWR, see the Certification Label. For
the maximum load of the tire, see the load limit
at maximum cold tire inflation pressure men-
tioned on the sidewall of the tire.
( P. 5 4 6 )
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
4637-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driving under
dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction performance as
snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For
driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended.
When installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be adequate for
driving in most winter condit ions as well as for use year-round. All season tires, how-
ever, do not have adequate traction performance compared with snow tires in heavy
or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling perfor-
mance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires. If
you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capacity as the
originally installed tires. Since your vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make
sure your snow tires also have radial cons truction. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for possible re strictions. Snow tires should be installed
on all wheels. ( P. 2 8 0 )
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
■Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly
●In the following cases, the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly.
• If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equipment) tire.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
• Tire chains etc. are equipped.
• An auxiliary-supported run-flat tire is equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the wheels or wheel
housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is extremely higher than the specified level.
●Performance may be affected in the following situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large display, air-
port or other facility th at generates strong radio waves or electrical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless
communication device
If tire position information is not correctl y displayed due to the radio wave conditions,
the display may be corrected by driving and changing the radio wave conditions.
●When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to start or go off could be
extended.
●When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when a tire has burst, the
warning may not function.
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
4677-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters and
tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.
●Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not installed, water
could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the tire pressure warning valves
could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those specified.
The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressu re warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter may not operate properly. If a liquid se alant is used, contact your Lexus dealer or
other qualified service shop as soon as possible. After use of liquid sealant, make sure
to replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when repairing or replacing
the tire. ( P. 4 6 0 )
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the cushioning
ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may cause damage to the tires
themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■If tire inflation pressure of ea ch tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
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ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been driven for more than
1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is pro
perly inflated based only on its appearance.
●It is normal for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving as heat is generated
in the tire. Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is balanced.
WA R N I N G
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the following conditions may occur which could
lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts result ing from overheated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater possibility of tire damage while driving (due to road hazards, expansion
joints, sharp edges in the road, etc.)
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjust ing tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
If a valve cap is not installed, dirt or moisture may get into the valve and cause an air
leak, resulting in decreased tire inflation pressure.
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ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Wheels
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they are equivalent
to those removed in load capacity
, diameter, rim width and inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Lexus does not recommend using the following:
●Wheels of different sizes or types
●Used wheels
●Bent wheels that have been straightened
●Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with your alumi-
num wheels.
●When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the wheel nuts are
still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
●Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire chains.
●Use only Lexus genuine balance weights or equivalent and a plastic or rubber
hammer when balancing your wheels.
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide advance warning in the event
of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced, tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters must be installed. ( P. 4 6 0 )
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced. Other-
wise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause a loss of handling control.
Wheel selection
Aluminum wheel precautions