2018 Lexus ES300h ECO mode

ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
1493-5. Opening, closing the windows and moon roof
3
Operation of each component
■The moon roof can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■Operating the moon roof after turning the hybrid system off
The moon roof can be operated for approximately 45 seconds after the power switch is
turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off. It cannot, however, be operated once either
front door is opened.
■Jam protection function
If an object is detected between the moon r oof and the frame while the moon roof is clos-
ing or tilting down, travel is stopped and the moon roof opens slightly.
■Sunshade
The sunshade can be opened and closed manually. However, the sunshade will open
automatically when the moon roof is opened.
■Door lock linked moon roof operation
●The moon roof can be opened and closed using the mechanical key.* (→ P. 525)
●The moon roof can be opened us ing the wireless remote control.* (→ P. 108)
*: These settings must be cust omized at your Lexus dealer.

ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(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 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)4-2. Driving procedures
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sittin
g in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the ve hicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock
in this circumstance may lead to an acci dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press
and hold the power switch for more than 2 se conds, or press it briefly 3 times or more
in succession. ( →P. 497)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emergency. 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.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on.
●If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-in formation display, the power switch is not
off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch off.
●Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position , the power switch will not be
turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in
ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt ba ttery discharge may occur.
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to star t, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfun ction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differen tly than usual, such as the
switch sticking slightly, ther e may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.

174
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-2. Driving procedures
■Switching to EV drive mode wh
en the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine will
start automatically in order to warm up. In th is case, you will become unable to switch to
EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illuminated, press the
EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to switch to EV drive mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the fol-
lowing situations. When EV drive mode is ca nceled, a buzzer will sound and the EV indi-
cator will flash 3 times and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes 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.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a prior
notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
■Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters to approxi-
mately 1.3 mile (2 km). Howe ver, depending on vehicle conditions, there are situations
when EV drive mode cannot be used.
(The distance that is possible depends on th e hybrid battery [traction battery] level and
driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve th e best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electr ic motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necess ary may lower fuel economy.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestrians, people
riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the surrounding area may not be aware
of the vehicle starting off or approaching th em. Therefore, take extra care while driving
even if the vehicle proximity notification system is active.

ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
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.

184
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in , or :
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30
seconds after the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and a
door is opened and all of the doors and trun k are closed. (The lights turn off immediately
if on the key is pressed twic e after all the doors are closed.)
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light switch off
once and then back to or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is kept open , the lights automatically turn off after 20 min-
utes.
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off or turned to ACCESSORY mode
and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
■Automatic headlight leve ling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted accordi ng to the number of passen-
gers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not inter-
fere with other road users.
■If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor se nsitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: →P. 560)
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the
sensor, or anything that
blocks the sensor is affixed to the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is not operat-
ing.

188
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor
can be temporarily lowered.
Turn the power switch off while the following conditions are met.
• The headlight switch is in or .
• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on.
Turn the power switch to ON mode.
Within 30 seconds after , repeat pulling the headlight switch lever to the original
position then pushing it to the high beam position quickly 10 times, then leave the
lever in high beam position.
If the sensitivity is changed, the Automati c High Beam indicator is turn on and off
three times.
Automatic High Beam (head lights) may turn on even the vehicle is stopped.
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192
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■Raindrop sensor (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●If the wiper switch is turned to AUTO posi
tion while the power switch is in ON mode,
the wipers will operate once to sh ow that AUTO mode is activated.
●When the sensor sensitivity ring is turned toward high while in AUTO mode, the wipers
will operate once to in dicate that the sensor sensitivity is enhanced.
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 185°F (85°C) or higher, or -22°F
(-30°C) or lower, automatic operation ma y not occur. In this case, operate the
wipers in any mode other than AUTO mode.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
●The raindrop sensor judges the amount of
raindrops.
An optical sensor is ad opted. It may not oper-
ate properly when sunlight from the rising or
setting of the sun inte rmittently strikes the
windshield, or if bugs etc. are present on the
windshield.
WARNING
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wi pers in AUTO mode (vehicles with rain-
sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or the wind-
shield is subject to vibratio n in AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers or anything
else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fl uid until the windshield becomes warm. The
fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause lo w visibility. This may lead to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.