2016 Lexus ES300h transmission

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ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
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4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ......................154
Cargo and luggage.................... 160
Vehicle load limits ........................163
Trailer towing .................................164
Dinghy towing ...............................165
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch ..............166
EV drive mode ............................... 171
Hybrid transmission .................... 173
Turn signal lever ............................ 176
Parking brake ................................ 177
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .......................... 178
Automatic High Beam................ 181
Fog light switch ............................ 185
Windshield wipers and washer ................................. 186
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ...... 190 4-5. Using the driving support
systems
Lexus Safety System+ ................194
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .......... 201
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering co ntrol) ..............213
Dynamic radar cruise control............................ 222
Cruise control ............................. 234
Intuitive parking assist ...............237
Lexus parking assist monitor.........................................246
Driving mode select switch ............................................262
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)..... 264 •Blind Spot Monitor function ..................................... 267
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
function .................................... 269
Driving assist systems ............... 272
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips ......278
Winter driving tips ..................... 280
4Driving

701-2. Hybrid system
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicles
There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehicle is able to move with
the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure
to shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrat ions 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.
●Relay operating sounds such as a snap or soft clank will be emitted from the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), behind the rear seats, when the hybrid system is started or
stopped.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the transmission wh en the gasoline engine starts or stops,
when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is depressed
or as the accelerator pedal is released.
●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 sur-
rounding 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 vehicle, it
may be more difficult to hear from the re ar of the vehicle compared to the front.
■If “Proximity Notification System Malfunction” is displayed on the multi-information
display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■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. 5 5 5 )

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ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
4Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ...................... 154
Cargo and luggage .................... 160
Vehicle load limits ....................... 163
Trailer towing ................................. 164
Dinghy towing............................... 165
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch.............. 166
EV drive mode ............................... 171
Hybrid transmission ....................173
Turn signal lever ............................ 176
Parking brake .................................177 4-3. Operating the lights
and wipers
Headlight switch...........................178
Automatic High Beam ................181
Fog light switch ............................ 185
Windshield wipers and washer.................................. 186
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ...... 190
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Lexus Safety System+ ............... 194
PCS (Pre-Collision System)........... 201
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) ............. 213
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................ 222
Cruise control ............................. 234
Intuitive parking assist .............. 237
Lexus parking assist monitor ........................................ 246
Driving mode select switch ........................................... 262
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ..... 264 • Blind Spot Monitor
function .....................................267
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert function .................................... 269
Driving assist systems................272
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips...... 278
Winter driving tips .....................280

ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
1574-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WA R N I N G
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce your
ability to control the vehicle.
●Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine speed
could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle , lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that the
brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from func-
tioning properly. If the brakes on only on e side are wet and not functioning properly,
steering control may be affected.
■When shifting the shift lever
●Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is in a driving position, or roll
forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may result in an acci dent or damage to the vehicle.
●Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Shifting the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the hybrid sys-
tem. Engine braking is not available when N is selected.
●Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. Shifting the
shift lever to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of
the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or those
of the brake discs are exceeded.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate sud-
denly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing
the brake pedal while stopped with the “R EADY” indicator is illuminated, and apply
the parking brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust
system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.

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ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Hybrid transmission
While the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever with the brake
pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in D for normal driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control engine braking forces.
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (
 P. 1 74 )

ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
1754-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■S mode
●When the shift range is 4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift range
to 6.
●To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automatically selects a
higher shift range before the engine speed becomes too high.
■When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
the engine brake will not operate in the S mo de, even when downshifting to 5 or 4.
(  P. 2 3 4 )
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■If the S indicator does not come on ev en after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunct ion in the hybrid transmission system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operat e in the same manner as when the shift lever
is in D.)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
 P. 5 2 0
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically select s the suitable gear according to driver performance and
driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift lever to S
cancels the function.)
WA R N I N G
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause th e vehicle to spin or skid, resulting in an
accident.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid batter y (traction battery) will not be charged even
when the engine is running. Therefore, if the ve hicle is left with the shift lever in N for a
long period of time, the hybrid battery (tr action battery) will discharge, and this may
result in the vehicle not being able to start.

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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.

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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 frontFrom the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.