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ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
1614-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving, the
hybrid system output may be restrained.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the
same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause
the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is
accidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damaging
the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the follo wing situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( →P. 5 1 5 )
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to have
your Lexus dealer check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid transmis-
sion, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the bearings and susp ension joints (where possible), and the
function of all joints, bearings, etc.
Page 171 of 612
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
1694-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake (→P. 181), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the power switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “POWER ON” on the multi-informa-
tion display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with brake pedal released.
(The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the hybrid system,
the power switch will be turned to
ACCESSORY m ode, not to of f.
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
4
Page 173 of 612

ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
1714-2. 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 8 1
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firm ly, the power switch mode may not change or
the hybrid system may not start.
●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-button start has been deactivated in a customized
setting
→P. 5 2 7
■Odometer and trip meter display
When the power switch is turned off, the odometer 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 turning the steering wheel
left and right.
Page 182 of 612
180
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
Turn signal lever
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move the
lever partway and then release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
Lane change to the left (move the
lever partway and then release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or re
ar turn signal lights has not burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been performed
Operate the lever again.
■To discontinue flashing of the turn signals during a lane change
Operate the lever in the opposite direction.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(→ P. 5 6 2 )
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
Page 190 of 612
188
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.
Turn the power switch off while the following conditions are met.
• The headlight switch is in or .
• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on. Turn the power switch to ON mode.
Within 30 seconds after , repeat pulling the headlight switch lever to the original
position then pushing it to the high beam position quickly 10 times, then leave the
lever in high beam position.
If the sensitivity is changed, the Automati c High Beam indicator is turn on and off
three times.
Automatic High Beam (headlights) may turn on even the vehicle is stopped.
1
2
32
4
Page 210 of 612
208
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Enabling/disabling the pre-collision system
The pre-collision system can be enabled/disabled on (setting display)
(
→ P. 91) of the multi-information display.
The system is automatically enabled each time the power switch is turned to ON
mode.
If the system is disabled, the PCS
warning light will turn on and a mes-
sage will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
■Changing the pre-col lision warning timing
The pre-collision warning timing can be changed on (setting display)
( → P. 91) of the multi-information display.
The operation timing setting is retained when the power switch is turned off.
Far
The warning will begin to operate
earlier than with the default timing.
Middle
This is the default setting.
Near
The warning will begin to operate
later than with the default timing.
Changing settings of the pre-collision system
1
2
3
Page 231 of 612

ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
2294-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up to
approximately 328 ft. (100 m) ahead, determines the current vehicle-to-vehicle
following distance, and operates to maintain a suitable following distance from
the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long downhill
slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance button.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically deceler-
ates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, the system
applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at this time). The system will respond to
changes in the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance set by the driver. Approach warning warns you when the system cannot
decelerate sufficiently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower than the set
speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then returns to con-
stant speed cruising.
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
1
2
3
Page 233 of 612

ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
2314-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
To change the set speed, operate the lever until the desired set speed is dis-
played.Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Fine adjustment: Momentarily move
the lever in the desired direction.
Large adjustment: Hold the lever up or
down to change the speed, and release
when the desired speed is reached.
In the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the set speed will be increased
or decreased as follows:
XFor the U.S. mainland, Hawaii and NATO Germany
Fine adjustment: By 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
*1 or 1 km/h (0.6 mph)*2 each time the lever is
operated
Large adjustment: Increases or decreases in 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
*1 or 1 km/h
(0.6 mph)
*2 increments for as long as the lever is held
XFor Canada, Guam, Saipan and Puerto Rico
Fine adjustment: By 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
*1 or 1 km/h (0.6 mph)*2 each time the lever is
operated
Large adjustment: Increases or decreases in 5 mph (8 km/h)
*1 or 5 km/h
(3.1 mph)
*2 increments for as long as the lever is held
In the constant speed control mode ( →P. 234), the set speed will be increased
or decreased as follows:
Fine adjustment: By 1 mph (1.6 km/h)*1 or 1 km/h (0.6 mph)*2 each time the lever is
operated
Large adjustment: The speed will continue to change while the lever is held.
*1: When the set speed is shown in “MPH”
*2: When the set speed is shown in “km/h”
Adjusting the set speed
1
2