88
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)2. Instrument cluster
■The meters and display illuminate when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■Instrument panel brightness adjustment
The instrument panel brightness levels when the tail lights are on and off can be adjusted
individually. However, when the
surroundings are bright (daytime, etc.), turning on the tail
lights will not change the inst rument panel brightness. At th is time, any adjustments made
to the instrument panel brightness levels will be applied to both settings at once.
■Limitation of brightness adjustment
The brightness of the instrument panel lights is automatically adjusted based on the light
sensor detecting how bright the surroundings are. However, if the instrument panel
brightness has been manually set to either the brightest or darkest setting, the automatic
adjustment will not be performed.
■Hybrid System Indicator
●Hybrid System Indicator is displayed when the driving mode is other than the sport
mode.
●By keeping the indicator needle within Ec o area, more Eco-friendly driving can be
achieved.
●Charge area indicates regeneration* status. Regenerated energy will be used to
charge the battery.
*: When used in this manual, “regeneration” refers to the conversion of energy created
by the movement of the vehicle into electrical energy. Power area
Shows that an Eco-friendly driving range is
being exceeded (durin g full power driving
etc.)
Eco area
Shows that the vehicle is being driven in an
Eco-friendly manner.
Hybrid Eco area
Shows that gasoline engine power is not
being used very often.
The gasoline engine will automatically stop
and restart under various conditions.
Charge area
Shows regenerative charging.
1
2
3
4
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
892. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
■Tachometer
Hybrid System Indicator switches to the tachometer when driving mode is in sport mode.
The settings of the tachometer display can be changed on the multi-information display.
( → P. 91)
■Engine speed
Engine speed is precisely cont rolled in order to help improve fuel efficiency and reduce
exhaust emissions etc.
There are times when the engine speed that is displayed may differ even when vehicle
operation and driving conditions are the same.
■Outside temperature display
●In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be displayed, or the
display may take longer than normal to change.
• When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 12 mph [20 km/h])
• When the outside temperature has changed suddenly (at the entrance/exit of a garage, tunnel, etc.)
• When the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight
●When “--” or “E” is displayed, the system may be malfunctioning.
Take your vehicle to your Lexus dealer.
■Pop-up display
In some situations, a pop-up display will be temporarily displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display or the odometer/trip meter/maintenance required information screen.
The pop-up display function can be set on/off. ( →P. 562)
■Liquid crystal display
Small spots or light spots may appear on the display. This phenomenon is characteristic
of liquid crystal displays, and there is no problem continuing to use the display.
■Customization
The meter display can be customized on the multi-information display.
(Customizable features →P. 560)
WARNING
■The information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal information
display. At extremely low temperatures, th e information display monitor may respond
slowly, and display changes may be delayed.
For example, there is a lag between the dr iver’s shifting and the new gear number
appearing on the display. This lag could ca use the driver to downshift again, causing
rapid and excessive engine braking and possibly an accident resulting in personal
death or injury.
90
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)2. Instrument cluster
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the
engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indicates
the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the red
zone (H); or “Engine Coolant Temp High” is shown on the multi-information display.
In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check the engine after it
has cooled completely. ( →P. 531)
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
972. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
Navigation system screen
Press the “MENU” button on the Remote Touch, then select on the “Menu”
screen, and then select “Fuel Consumption”.
If the “Trip Information” or “Past Record ” screen is displayed, select “Energy”.
Lexus Display Audio screen
Press the “MENU” button on the Lexus Display Audio controller, then select
“Info” on the “Menu” screen, and then select “Fuel Consumption”.
If the “Energy Monitor” screen does not ap pear, move the controller to the right and
select “Energy”.
Multi-information display
Press or of the meter control sw itches and select , and then press
or to select the energy monitor display.
Energy monitor
Navigation system screen or Lexus Display Audio screenMulti-information display
When the vehicle is
powered by the elec-
tric motor (traction
motor)
When the vehicle is
powered by both the
gasoline engine and
the electric motor
(traction motor)
When the vehicle is
powered by the gaso-
line engine
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
1574-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
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 the 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 po sture even when moving the vehicle only
slightly. This allows you to depress th e brake and accelerator pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay re sponse 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 no t realize the vehicle is approaching when the surround-
ing area is noisy and so forth. Therefore, 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. 497
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a steep
hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause th e brakes to overheat and lose effective-
ness. ( →P. 176)
●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 no t before driving at such speeds.
158
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.
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(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 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.
173
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
EV drive mode
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on, the
EV drive mode indicator will come on.
Pressing the switch when in EV drive
mode will return the vehicle to normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and
electric motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on
in the following situations. If it cannot be
turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driv en on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 68° F (20°C) for a long
period of time etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The hybrid battery (tra ction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” screen is low. (→P. 97)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
In EV drive mode, electric power is su pplied by the hybrid battery (traction
battery), and only the electric motor (traction motor) is used to drive the vehi-
cle.
This mode allows you to drive in reside ntial areas early in the morning and late
at night, or in indoor parking lots etc. without concern for noises and gas emis-
sions.
However, when the vehicle proximity noti fication system is active, the vehicle
may produce sound.