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438
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.
Page 494 of 600
494
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem with your hybrid transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
●A warning message for the hybrid system is shown on the multi-information
display and the vehicle does not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing se rvice, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the frontFrom the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
Page 496 of 600
4968-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
Take out the towing eyelet. (P. 5 0 9 )
Remove the eyelet cover using a flat-
head screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehi-
cle body as shown in the illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the hole
and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the power switch to ON mode.
Shift the shift position to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: P. 5 2 0
Emergency towing procedure
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Page 508 of 600
508
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
●Set the parking brake.
●Shift the shift lever to P.
●Stop the hybrid system.
●Turn on the emergency flashers. (
P. 4 9 2 )
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare ti re. The flat tire can be replaced with
the spare tire.
For details about tires: P. 4 5 9
WA R N I N G
■If you have a flat tire
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a flat ti re can damage the tire and the wheel beyond
repair, which could result in an accident.
Before jacking up the vehicle
Page 517 of 600

5178-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
WA R N I N G
■When using the compact spare tire
●Remember that the compact spare tire provid ed is specifically designed for use with
your vehicle. Do not use your compact spare tire on another vehicle.
●Do not use more than one compact spare tire simultaneously.
●Replace the compact spare tire with a standard tire as soon as possible.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, ab rupt steering, sudden braking and shifting operations
that cause sudden engine braking.
■When the compact spare tire is attached
The vehicle speed may not be correctly detected, and the following systems may not
operate correctly:
■Speed limit when using the compact spare tire
Do not drive at speeds in excess of 50 mph (80 km/h) when a compact spare tire is
installed on the vehicle.
The compact spare tire is not designed for driving at high speeds. Failure to observe
this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or serious injury.
■After using the tools and jack
Before driving, make sure all the tools and jack are securely in place in their storage
location to reduce the possibility of personal injury during a collision or sudden brak-
ing.
NOTICE
■Driving with tire chains and the compact spare tire
Do not fit tire chains to the compact spare tire.
Tire chains may damage the vehicle body and adversely affect driving performance.
■When replacing the tires
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter
may be damaged if not handled correctly.
• ABS & Brake assist
•VSC
•TRAC
•Cruise control
• Dynamic radar cruise control
(if equipped)
• PCS (if equipped)
•EPS • LDA (Lane Departure Alert with
steering control) (if equipped)
• Rear view monitor system
(if equipped)
• Intuitive parking assist (if equipped)
• Navigation system (if equipped)
Page 519 of 600
5198-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
When the hybrid system does not start, the following steps can be used as an
interim measure to start the hybrid system if the power switch is functioning nor-
mally:
Do not use this starting procedur e except in cases of emergency.
Set the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Turn the power switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Press and hold the power switch for ab out 15 seconds while depressing the
brake pedal firmly.
Even if the hybrid system can be starte d using the above steps, the system may
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Emergency start function
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Page 520 of 600
520
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
Set the parking brake.
Turn the power switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flathead
screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with
your foot on the brake pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system (a system to prevent accidental opera-
tion of the shift lever). Have the vehicl e inspected by your Lexus dealer imme-
diately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the
shift lever can be shifted:
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531
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If the vehicle becomes stuck
Stop the hybrid system. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the front wheels.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the front wheels to help pro-
vide traction.
Restart the hybrid system.
Shift the shift lever to D or R and release the parking brake. Then, while exer-
cising caution, depress the accelerator pedal.
■When it is difficult to free the vehicle
Carry out the following procedures if
the tires spin or the vehicle becomes
stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Press to turn off TRAC. ( P. 2 7 3 )
WA R N I N G
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surrounding
area is clear to avoid striking other vehicl es, objects or people. The vehicle may also
lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme caution.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid accelerati on of the vehicle that may cause an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury.
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