
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
1694-2. Driving procedures
4
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
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 dis-
play
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after performing the
proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 7 2
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 4 7 5
■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 no t 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 system.
■If the smart access system with push-butto n start has been deactivated in a customized
setting
P. 5 2 1
■Odometer and trip meter display
When the power switch is turned off, the od ometer 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
power switch while turn ing the steering wheel
left and right.

170
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
WA R N I N G
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sittin
g in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and comp lete stop. Activation of the steering lock
in this circumstance may lead to an acci dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press
and hold the power switch for more than 2 se conds, or press it briefly 3 times or more
in succession. ( P. 4 9 3 )
However, do not touch the power switch whil e driving except in an emergency. Turning
the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer
smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on.
●If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-information display, the power switch is not
off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch off.
●Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the power switch will not be
turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in
ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating so mewhat differently than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, there may be a malf unction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.

ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
1794-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and release
it to flash the high beams once.
You can flash the high beams with the
headlights on or off.
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) improves visibility at intersections and on
curves by automatically adjusting the lateral angle of the headlights according to
vehicle speed and the degree of the tire angle that are controlled by steering
input.
Operates at speed of 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher.
■Deactivating AFS
Select “AFS” on the (settings display) of the multi-information dis-
play. ( P. 9 2 )
Press the meter control switch.
■Daytime running light system
●To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving, the daytime
running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system is started and the park-
ing brake is released. (Illum inate brighter than the parking lights.) Daytime running
lights are not designed for use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the switch.
●Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system offers greater
durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve fuel economy.
■Headlight control sensor
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) (if equipped)
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything that
blocks the sensor is affixed to the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction.
1
2

194
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
Lexus Safety System+
◆PCS (Pre-Collision System)
P. 2 0 1
◆LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control)
P. 2 1 3
◆Dynamic radar cruise control
P. 222
◆AHB (Automatic High Beam)
P. 1 8 1
: If equipped
The Lexus Safety System+ consists of the following drive assist systems and
contributes to a safe and comfo rtable driving experience:
WA R N I N G
■Lexus Safety System+
The Lexus Safety System+ is designed to operate under the assumption that the driver
will drive safely, and is designed to help reduce the impact to the occupants and the
vehicle in the case of a collision or assist the driver in normal driving conditions.
As there is a limit to the degree of recognition accuracy and control performance that
this system can provide, do not overly rely on this system. The driver is always responsi-
ble for paying attention to the vehicl e’s surroundings and driving safely.

202
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
◆Pre-collision braking*3
When the system determines that the po
ssibility of a frontal collision is high,
the system warns the driver. If the system determines that the possibility of a
collision is extremely high, the brakes are automatically applied to help avoid
the collision or reduce the collision speed.
*3: Depending on the region in which the vehi cle was sold, the pre-collision braking func-
tion may not be available.
WA R N I N G
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
●The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings.
Do not use the pre-collision system instea d of normal braking operations under any
circumstances. This system will not preven t collisions or lessen collision damage or
injury in every situation. Do not overly rely on this system. Failure to do so may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
●Although this system is design ed to help avoid and reduce the impact of a collision, its
effectiveness may change according to various conditions, therefore the system may
not always be able to achieve the same level of performance.
Read the following conditions carefully. Do not overly rely on this system and always
drive carefully.
• Conditions under which the system may operat e even if there is no possibility of a
collision: P. 2 0 7
• Conditions under which the syst em may not operate properly: P. 2 1 0
●Do not attempt to test the operation of the pre-collision system yourself, as the system
may not operate properly, possibly leading to an accident.
■Pre-collision braking*3
●The pre-collision braking function may not operate if certain operations are per-
formed by the driver. If the accelerator peda l is being depressed strongly or the steer-
ing wheel is being turned, the system may de termine that the driver is taking evasive
action and possibly prevent the pre-colli sion braking function from operating.
●In some situations, while the pre-collision braking function is operating, operation of
the function may be canceled if the accele rator pedal is depressed strongly or the
steering wheel is turned and the system determines that the driver is taking evasive
action.
●A large amount of braking force is applied while the pre-collision braking function is
operating. Additionally, as the vehicle may creep if it has been stopped by the pre-
collision braking function, the driver should depress the brake pedal as necessary.
●If the brake pedal is being depressed, the system may determine that the driver is tak-
ing evasive action and possibly delay the op eration timing of the pre-collision braking
function.
*3: Depending on the region in which the ve hicle was sold, the pre-collision braking
function may not be available.

ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
2074-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Pedestrian detection function*5
*5: Depending on the region in which the vehicle was sold, the pedestrian detection func-tion may not be available.
■Cancelation of the pre-collision braking*3
●If either of the following occur while the pr e-collision braking function is operating, it
will be canceled:
• The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly.
• The steering wheel is turned sharply or abruptly.
●If the vehicle is stopped by the operation of the pre-collision braking function, the oper-
ation of the pre-collision braking function will be canceled after the vehicle has been
stopped for approximately 2 seconds.
*3: Depending on the region in which the vehi cle was sold, the pre-collision braking func-
tion may not be available.
■Conditions under which the system may operate even if there is no possibility of a colli-
sion
●In some situations such as the following, th e system may determine that there is a possi-
bility of a frontal co llision and operate.
• When passing a vehicle or pedestrian
*5
• When changing lanes while overtaking a preceding vehicle
• When overtaking a preceding vehicle that is changing lanes
The pre-collision system detects pedestrians
based on the size, profile, and motion of a
detected object. However, a pedestrian may not
be detected depending on the surrounding
brightness and the motion, posture, and angle of
the detected object, preventing the system from
operating properly. (
P. 211)
• When overtaking a preceding vehicle that is making a left/right turn
• When passing a vehicle in an oncoming lane that is stopped to make a right/left turn

213
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control)
When driving on highways and freeways with white or yellow lines, this function
alerts the driver when the vehicle might depart from its lane and provides assis-
tance by operating the steering wheel to keep the vehicle in its lane.
The LDA system recognizes visible
white or yellow lines with the camera
sensor on the upper portion of the front
windshield.
◆Lane departure alert function
When the system determines that
the vehicle might depart from its
lane, a warning is displayed on the
multi-information display, and either
the warning buzzer sounds or the
steering wheel vibrates to alert the
driver.
When the warning buzzer sounds or
the steering wheel vibrates, check
the surrounding road situation and
carefully operate the steering wheel
to move the vehicle back to the cen-
ter within the white (yellow) lines.
: If equipped
Summary of functions
Functions included in LDA system

214
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
◆Steering control function
When the system determines that
the vehicle might depart from its
lane, the system provides assistance
as necessary by operating the steer-
ing wheel in small amounts for a
short period of time to keep the
vehicle in its lane.
If the system detects that the steering
wheel has not been operated for a
fixed amount of time or the steering
wheel is not being firmly gripped, a
warning is displayed on the multi-
information display and the function
is temporarily canceled.
◆Ve h i c l e s w a y w a r n i n g
When the vehicle is swaying or
appears as if it may depart from its
lane multiple times, the warning
buzzer sounds and a message is dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play to alert the driver.