391-1. For safe use
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
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For safety and security
Your vehicle is equipped with ADVA NCED AIRBAGS designed based on the
US motor vehicle safety standards (F MVSS208). The airbag sensor assembly
(ECU) controls airbag deployment based on information obtained from the sen-
sors etc. shown in the system compon ents diagram above. This information
includes crash severity and occupant information. As the airbags deploy, a
chemical reaction in the inflators quickly fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to
help restrain the motion of the occupants.
WARNING
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precaution s regarding the SRS airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be us ed with the seat belts.
●The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or seri-
ous injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises:
Since the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation,
placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides you with a clear
margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering wheel to
your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in . (250 mm) away now, you can change your
driving position in several ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals com-
fortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm) dis-
tance, even with the driver seat all the wa y forward, simply by reclining the back of
the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it hard to see the road,
raise yourself by using a firm , non-slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle
has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is ad justable, tilt it downward. This points the airbag toward
your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA ab ove, while still maintain-
ing control of the foot pedals, steering whee l, and your view of the instrument panel
controls.
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
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
952. Instrument cluster
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Instrument cluster
■System check display
After turning the power switch to ON mode, opening image is displayed while system
operation is checked. When the system check is complete, the normal screen will return.
■Suspension of the settings display
In the following situations, the settings display using the meter control switches will be
suspended.
●When a warning message appears on the multi-information display
●When the vehicle begins to move
■Tire inflation pressure
●It may take a few minutes to display the tire inflation pressure after the power switch is
turned to ON mode. It may also take a few minutes to display the tire inflation pressure
after inflation pressure has been adjusted.
●“---” may be displayed if the tire information cannot be determined due to unfavorable
radio wave conditions.
●Tire inflation pressure changes with temperat ure. The displayed values may also be dif-
ferent from the values measured using a tire pressure gauge.
■When disconnecting and reconnect ing 12-volt battery terminals
The drive information will be reset.
■Liquid crystal display
→ P. 89
WARNING
■Caution for use while driving
For safety, avoid operating the meter control switch while driving as much as possible,
and do not look continuously at the multi- information display while driving. Stop the
vehicle and operate the meter control switch . Failure to do so may cause a steering
wheel operation error, resultin g in an unexpected accident.
■Cautions during setting up the display
As the hybrid system needs to be operating during setting up the display, ensure that
the vehicle is parked in a place with adequa te ventilation. In a closed area such as a
garage, exhaust gases including harmful carbon monoxide (CO) may collect and enter
the vehicle. This may lead to dea th or a serious health hazard.
NOTICE
■During setting up the display
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge, ensure that the hybrid system is operating while
setting up the display features.
1433-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
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Operation of each component
When the mirror select switch is in the L or R position, the outside rear view mir-
rors will automatically angle downwards wh en the vehicle is reversing in order to
give a better view of the ground.
To disable this function, move the mirror select switch to the neutral position
(between L and R).
■Adjusting the mirror angle when the vehicle is reversing
With the shift lever in R, adjust the mirror angle at a desired position. The
adjusted angle will be memorized and the mirror will automatically tilt to the
memorized angle whenever the shift leve r is shifted to R from next time.
The memorized downward tilt position of th e mirror is linked to the normal position
(angle adjusted with the shif t lever in other than R). Ther efore, if the normal posi-
tion is changed after adjustment, the tilt position w ill also change. When the normal
position is changed, readjust the angle in reversing.
■Mirror angle can be adjusted when
The power switch is in ACCESSORY or ON mode.
■When the mirrors are fogged up
The outside rear view mirrors can be cleare d using the mirror defoggers. Turn on the
rear window defogger to also defog the outside rear view mirrors. ( →P. 388)
■Automatic adjustment of the mirror angle (vehicles with driving position memory)
A desired mirror face angle can be entered to memory and recalled automatically by the
driving position memory. ( →P. 130)
■Auto anti-glare function
When the anti-glare inside re ar view mirror is set to automatic mode, the outside rear
view mirrors will activate in conjunction with the anti-glare inside rear view mirror to
reduce reflected light. ( →P. 140)
Linked mirror function when reversing (if equipped)
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
1614-1. Before driving
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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 depre ss 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 sh ift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause
the vehicle to move or the vehicle may acce lerate 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 following 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. 513)
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded af ter 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 su spension joints (where possible), and the
function of all joints, bearings, etc.
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
1714-2. Driving procedures
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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 abou t 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 malfunctio ning. 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 vehicl e, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→P. 72
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 478
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, 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 seco nds before restarting the hybrid system.
■If the smart access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a customized
setting
→ P. 525
■Odometer and trip meter display
When the power switch is turned off, the od ometer 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.
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ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
◆Pre-collision braking
When the system determines that the po
ssibility of a frontal collision is high,
the system warns the driver. If the syst em determines that the possibility of a
frontal collision is extremely high, the br akes are automatically applied to help
avoid the collision or reduce the collision speed.
WARNING
■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 sy stem 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 effectivenes s 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 oper ate even if there is no possibility of a
collision: →P. 210
• Conditions under which the system may not operate properly: →P. 213
●Do not attempt to test the operation of the pre-collision system yourself, as the system
may not operate properly, possib ly leading to an accident.
■Pre-collision braking
●When the pre-collision braking 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 fu nction 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-coll ision braking function from operating.
●In some situations, while the pre-collision braking 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 de termines that the driver is taking evasive
action.
●If the brake pedal is being depressed, the sy stem may determine that the driver is tak-
ing evasive action and possibly delay the op eration timing of the pre-collision braking
function.
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ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Hands off steering wheel alert
When the system determines that the driver has removed the hands from the steering
wheel while the steering control function is
operating, a warning message is displayed on
the multi-information display.
If the driver continues to keep the hands off of the steering wheel, a buzzer sounds and a
warning message is displayed. This alert also operates in the same way when the driver
continuously operates the steering wheel only a small amount. However, depending on
the road conditions, etc., the function may not cancel.
■White (yellow) lines are only on one side of road
The LDA system will not operate for the side on which white (yellow) lines could not be
recognized.
■Conditions in which functions may not operate properly
In the following situations, the camera sensor may not detect white (yellow) lines and var-
ious functions may not operate normally.
●There are shadows on the road that run parallel with, or cover, the white (yellow) lines.
●The vehicle is driven in an ar ea without white (yellow) lines, such as in front of a tollgate
or checkpoint, or at an intersection, etc.
●The white (yellow) lines are cracked, “Botts ’ dots”, “Raised pavement marker” or stones
are present.
●The white (yellow) lines cannot be seen or are difficult to see due to sand, etc.
●The vehicle is driven on a road surface that is wet due to rain, puddles, etc.
●The traffic lines are yellow (which may be more difficult to recognize than lines that are
white).
●The white (yellow) lines cross over a curb, etc.
●The vehicle is driven on a bright surface, such as concrete.
●The vehicle is driven on a surface that is bright due to reflected light, etc.
●The vehicle is driven in an area where the brightness changes suddenly, such as at the
entrances and exits of tunnels, etc.
●Light from the headlights of an oncoming vehicle, the sun, etc. enters the camera.
●The vehicle is driven where the road diverges, merges, etc.
●The vehicle is driven on a slope.
●The vehicle is driven on a road which tilts left or right, or a winding road.
●The vehicle is driven on an unpaved or rough road.
●The vehicle is driven around a sharp curve.
●The traffic lane is excessively narrow or wide.
●The vehicle is extremely tilted due to carry ing heavy luggage or having improper tire
pressure.
●The distance to the preceding vehicle is extremely short.
●The vehicle is moving up and down a large am ount due to road conditions during driv-
ing (poor roads or road seams).
●The headlight lenses are dirty and emit a faint amount of light at night, or the beam axis
has deviated.
●The vehicle is struck by a crosswind.
●The vehicle has just changed lane s or crossed an intersection.
●Snow tires, etc. are equipped.