2017 Lexus ES300h Owner's Manual

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ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(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 76 )

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ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to
S. Shift ranges can then be selected by
operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the shift range of your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from 1 to 6, will
be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is auto-
matically set to 4 to 5 according to vehi-
cle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide greate r engine braking force than a higher
shift range, and the engine revolutions will also increase.
●If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 4, the shift range may automatically
range up in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2

ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
1774-2. 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 mode, even when downshifting to 5 or 4.
( → P. 226, 238)
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performa nce, downshifting operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circumstances, downsh ifting may not be possible even when the
shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■If the S indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunctio n in the hybrid transmission system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when the shift lever
is in D.)
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift lever in start-
ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the power switch is in ON mode and the
brake pedal is being depressed.
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual operation is performed, the hybrid system output may be
restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D includes S) with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display. If a warnin g message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, read the message and follow the instructions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed t oo much while the vehicle is in reverse.

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ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may be a prob-
lem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever
can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake. ( →P. 181)
Turn the power switch to off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects 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.) 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.
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.
■To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking brake and
depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depress instead of the brake pedal when the shift
lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted out of P, the vehicle may
suddenly start, possibly leading to an accid ent resulting in death or serious injury.
1
2
3
4
5

ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
1794-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged even
when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever in N for a
long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, and this may
result in the vehicle not being able to start.

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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

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ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
Parking brake
To set the parking brake, fully depress
the parking brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the brake pedal
with your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again releases
the parking brake.)
■Pa rk i n g t h e ve h i c l e
→
P. 1 5 4
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged. “Release
Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display.
■Usage in winter time
→P. 2 8 5
U.S.A. Canada
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake se t will lead to brake components overheat-
ing, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.

182
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch
Turning the end of the lever tu
rns on the lights as follows:
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
U. S .A . Can ad a
The side marker, parking, day-
time running (→P. 1 8 3 ) , t a i l ,
license plate and instrument
panel lights turn on.
The headlights, parking and all
lights listed above (except
daytime running lights) turn
on.
The headlights, daytime run-
ning lights ( →P. 183) and all
the lights listed above turn on
and off automatically.
(When the power switch is in
ON mode.)
Off
The daytime running lights
turn on. ( →P. 1 8 3 )1
2
3
4
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)