2017 Lexus ES300h steering wheel

ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(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 starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indicator is
illuminated. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with th e location of the brake and accelerator ped-
als to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in oper- ating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using
your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an accident.
●The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is powered only
by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine noise, the pedestrians
may misjudge the vehicle’s movement. Even with the vehicle proximity notification
system active, people may not realize the vehicle is approaching when the surround-
ing area is noisy and so forth. Ther efore, take extra care while driving.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. 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.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way: → P. 4 9 9
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a steep
hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effective-
ness. (→P. 1 76 )
●Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside rear
view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not
drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability tires.
Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle
are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

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.

170
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
If the hybrid system is stopped with the sh
ift lever in a position other than P, the
power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” is displayed on the multi-information display
and then press the power switch once.
Check that “Turn Off Vehicle” on the multi-information display is off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON mode (the
hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the power
switch will automatically turn off. However, th is function cannot entirely prevent 12-volt
battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or
ON mode for long periods of time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
→ P. 7 0
■Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 1 0 6
■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving conditions
When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READY” indicator may be
long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “REA DY” indicator is steady on, as steady means
the vehicle is able to move.
■Conditions affecting operation
→ P. 1 2 3
■Notes for the entry function
→P. 1 2 4
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 76 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The hybrid system may not start if the shift
lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P position to Start” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
■Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the steering lock func tion. Operating the power switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4

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.

206
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
◆Pre-collision braking
When the system determines that the possi
bility of a frontal collision is high,
the system warns the driver. If the system determines that the possibility of a
frontal collision is extremely high, the brakes are automatically applied to help
avoid the collision or reduce the collision speed.
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 instead 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 designed to help avoid a collision or help reduce the impact of
the 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 operate even if there is no possibility of a
collision: →P. 2 1 1
• Conditions under which the system may not operate properly: →P. 2 1 4
●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
●When the pre-collision br aking function is operating, a large amount of braking force
will be applied.
●If the vehicle is stopped by the operation of the pre-collision braking function, the pre-
collision braking function operation will be canceled after approximately 2 seconds.
Depress the brake pedal as necessary
●The pre-collision braking function may not operate if certain operations are per-
formed by the driver. If the accelerator pedal 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-collis ion braking function from operating.
●In some situations, while the pre-collision br aking 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 dete rmines that the driver is taking evasive
action.
●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.

ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)
2114-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Pedestrian detection function*2
*2: For countries/areas specified as Region B (→P. 205), the pedestrian detection func-
tion may not be available.
■Cancelation of the pre-collision braking
●The accelerator pedal is depressed strongly.
●The steering wheel is turn ed sharply or abruptly.
■Conditions under which the system may operate even if there is no possibility of a colli-
sion
●In some situations such as the following, the system may determine that there is a possi-
bility of a frontal collision and operate.
• When passing a vehicle or pedestrian
*2
• 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. 2 1 5 )
• 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

217
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control)∗
When driving on highways and freeways wi
th white (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 (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 of the lane.
∗: If equipped
Summary of functions
Functions included in LDA system

218
ES300h_OM_OM33C75U_(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 warning
buzzer sounds.
◆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.