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ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
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4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ......................154
Cargo and luggage ....................162
Vehicle load limits .......................165
Trailer towing ................................166
Dinghy towing ............................... 167
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch............. 168
EV drive mode .............................. 173
Hybrid transmission....................175
Turn signal lever .......................... 180
Parking brake ................................. 181
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ......................... 182
Automatic High Beam.............. 185
Fog light switch ............................ 189
Windshield wipers and washer ................................. 190
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .......194 4-5. Using the driving support
systems
Lexus Safety System+ ............... 198
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ......... 205
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering co ntrol) .............. 216
Dynamic radar cruise control............................ 225
Intuitive parking assist.............. 237
Lexus parking assist monitor........................................ 246
Driving mode select switch ........................................... 262
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)..... 264 •Blind Spot Monitor
function .....................................267
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert function .................................... 269
Driving assist systems ...............272
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips ..... 278
Winter driving tips.....................280
4Driving
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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
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)
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ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
4Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ...................... 154
Cargo and luggage .................... 162
Vehicle load limits ....................... 165
Trailer towing ................................ 166
Dinghy towing .............................. 167
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch ............. 168
EV drive mode ............................. 173
Hybrid transmission ................... 175
Turn signal lever...........................180
Parking brake ................................ 181
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .......................... 182
Automatic High Beam ..............185
Fog light switch ............................ 189
Windshield wipers and washer.................................. 190
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap....... 194 4-5. Using the driving support
systems
Lexus Safety System+ ............... 198
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .........205
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) ..............216
Dynamic radar cruise control............................ 225
Intuitive parking assist .............. 237
Lexus parking assist monitor ........................................ 246
Driving mode select switch ........................................... 262
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ..... 264 • Blind Spot Monitor
function .................................... 267
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
function .................................... 269
Driving assist systems .............. 272
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips ..... 278
Winter driving tips .....................280
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ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering
may cause tire slippage and reduce your
ability to control the vehicle.
●Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine speed
could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle , lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that the
brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from func-
tioning properly. If the brakes on only on e side are wet and not functioning properly,
steering control may be affected.
■When shifting the shift lever
●Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is in a driving position, or roll
forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may result in an acci dent or damage to the vehicle.
●Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Shifting the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the hybrid sys-
tem. Engine braking is not av ailable when N is selected.
●Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. Shifting the
shift lever to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of
the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or those
of the brake discs are exceeded.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate sud-
denly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the ve hicle rolling away, always keep depressing
the brake pedal while stopped with the “REA DY” indicator is illuminated, and apply
the parking brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, alwa ys depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust
system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.
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ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(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. 176)
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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 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. 225)
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifti ng operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circum stances, downshifting 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 malfunction in the hybr id transmission system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operat e in the same manner as when the shift lever
is in D.)
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent ac cidental operation of the shift lever in start-
ing.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only wh en 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 pe rformed, 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 acce lerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display. If a warning message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, read the message and follo w the instructions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed t oo much while the vehicle is in reverse.
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ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)7-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal sh
ould move smoothly (with-
out uneven pedal effort or catching).
Hybrid transmission “Park”
mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearance
from the floor? ( →P. 544)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? ( →P. 544)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when the
brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should no t get too close to the floor
when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights aimed correctly?
Parking brake• Does the parking brake pedal move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on,is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount offree play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming from the steering wheel.