TABLE OF CONTENTS6
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7-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ................ 430
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior.................. 433
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ............................ 436
General mainte nance.............. 439
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs.................................... 442
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions................................ 443
Hood ............................................... 445
Positioning a floor jack ............ 446
Engine compartment ............... 447
12-volt battery ............................. 457
Tires ...................................................461
Tire inflation pressure ................ 471
Wheels ........................................... 474
Air conditioning filter ............... 476
Electronic key battery.............. 478
Checking and replacing fuses..............................................480
Light bulbs .................................... 483 8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .................. 496
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency ... 497
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed ............................... 498
If you think something is wrong................ 502
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds ....503
If a warning message is displayed ................................ 509
If you have a flat tire ....................513
If the hybrid system will not start ............................................... 523
If the electronic key does not operate properly..................... 525
If the 12-volt battery is discharged................................. 527
If your vehicle overheats...........531
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................................. 535
7Maintenance and care8When trouble arises
10
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)Your Lexus is equipped with several sophisticated computers that will record certain
data, such as:
• Engine speed
• Electric motor speed (traction motor speed)
• Accelerator status
•Brake status
• Vehicle speed
•Shift position
• Hybrid battery (tract ion battery) status
The recorded data varies according to the ve hicle grade level and options with which it is
equipped. These computers do not record conversations or sounds, and only record
images outside of the vehicle in certain situations.
●Data Transmission
Your vehicle may transmit the data recorded in these computers to Lexus without noti-
fication to you.
●Data usage
Lexus may use the data recorded in these computers to diagnose malfunctions, con-
duct research and development, and improve quality.
Lexus will not disclose the recorded data to a third party except:
• With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if the vehicle is leased
• In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a government
agency
• For use by Lexus in a lawsuit
• For research purposes where the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or vehicle
owner
●Usage of data collected through Le xus Enform (U.S. mainland only)
If your Lexus has Lexus Enform and if you have subscribed to those services, please
refer to the Lexus Enform Telematics Subs cription Service Agreement for information
on data collected and its usage.
●To learn more about the vehicle data collected, used and shared by Lexus,
please visit www.lexus.com/privacyvts/.
Vehicle data recordings
681-2. Hybrid system
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
◆When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops
* when the vehicle is stopped. During start off, the
electric motor (traction mo tor) drives the vehicle. At slow speeds or when
traveling down a gentle slope, the engine is stopped
* and the electric motor
(traction motor) is used.
When the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) is not being
charged.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the engine is warming up, etc., the gasoline engi ne will not automatically stop. (→P. 69)
◆During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor (traction
motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) as necessary.
◆When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) is added to that of the gasoline engine via the electric
motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The wheels operate the electric motor (traction motor) as a power generator,
and the hybrid battery (traction battery) is charged.
When driving with the gasoline engine stopped, a sound, which changes in
accordance with the driving speed, will be played in order to warn people nearby
of the vehicle’s approach. The sound w ill stop when the vehicle speed exceeds
approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).
Vehicle proximity notification system
691-2. Hybrid system
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1
For safety and security
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, ki netic energy is converted to electric energy and decelera-
tion force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift lever in D or S.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift lever in D or S.
■EV indicator
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automati cally. However, it may not stop automati-
cally in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
●When the heater is switched on
■Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery does not
need to be charged from an ou tside source. However, if the vehicle is left parked for a
long time the hybrid battery (traction batter y) will slowly discharge. For this reason, be
sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or 10
miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery (traction battery) beco mes fully discharged and you
are unable to start the hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Charging the 12-volt battery
→ P. 529
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or when the terminal has been removed and
installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues fo r a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
The EV indicator comes on when the vehicle is
driven using only the el
ectric motor (traction
motor) or the gasoline engine is stopped.
701-2. Hybrid system
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
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 vibrations may occu r 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 so ft clank will be emitted from the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), behind the rear se ats, 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 spee ds, 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 ga soline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from th e 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 Malfunct ion” is displayed on the multi-information
display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Maintenance, repair, re cycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding mainte nance, 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. 560)
711-2. Hybrid system
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1
For safety and security
Hybrid system precautions
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high voltage system
(about 650 V at maximum) as well as contains parts that become extremely
hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the warning labels attached to
the vehicle.
Air conditioning compressor
Power control unit
High voltage cables (orange)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) Service plug
Electric motor (traction motor)
Warning label1
2
3
4
5
6
7
721-2. Hybrid system
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There is an air intake vent beside the
rear left seat for the purpose of cooling
the hybrid battery (traction battery). If
the vent becomes blocked, the hybrid
battery may overheat, leading to a
reduction in hybrid battery output.
When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the emergency
shut off system blocks the high voltage current and stops the fuel pump to mini-
mize the risk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If the emergency shut off system
activates, your vehicle will not restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your
Lexus dealer.
A message is automatically displayed wh en a malfunction occurs in the hybrid
system or an improper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on the
multi-information display, read the
message and follow the instructions.
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message
731-2. Hybrid system
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1
For safety and security
■If a warning light comes on, a warning message is displayed, or the 12-volt battery is dis-
connected
The hybrid system may not start. In this case, try to start the system again. If the “READY”
indicator does not come on, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be started, refuel the
vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel level warning light (→P. 504)
go off. If there is only a small amount of fu el, the hybrid system may not be able to start.
(The standard amount of fuel is about 3.0 gal. [11.3 L, 2.5 Imp.gal.], when the vehicle is on
a level surface. This value may vary when the vehicle is on a slope. Add extra fuel when
the vehicle is inclined.)
■Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on hybrid ve hicles incorporate electromagnetic shield-
ing, and therefore emit approximately the same amount of electromagnetic waves as
conventional gasoline powered vehicles or home electronic appliances.
●Your vehicle may cause sound interference in some third party-produced radio parts.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a li mited service life. The lifespan of the hybrid
battery (traction battery) can change in acco rdance with driving style and driving condi-
tions.
WARNING
■High voltage precautions
This vehicle has high voltage DC and AC sy stems as well as a 12-volt system. DC and
AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe burns and electric shock that
may result in death or serious injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts, cables or their
connectors.
●The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high voltage. Be
careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and always obey the warn-
ing labels attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug access
hole located behind the rear seats. The ser-
vice plug is used only when the vehicle is ser-
viced and is subject to high voltage.