472
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using the gauge gradations.
If the tire inflation pressure is not at
the recommended level, adjust the pres-
sure.
If you add too much air, press the center of the valve to deflate.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement and adjustment,
apply soapy water to the valve and check for leakage.
Put the tire valve cap back on.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure ev ery two weeks, or at least once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor handling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, ha ve it checked by your Lexus dealer.
Inspection and adjustment procedure
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
4737-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been driven for more than
1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly inflated based only on its appearance.
●It is normal for the tire inflat ion pressure to be higher after driving as heat is generated
in the tire. Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is balanced.
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the following conditions may occur which could
lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resu lting from overheated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater possibility of tire damage while driving (due to road hazards, expansion
joints, sharp edges in the road, etc.)
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjust ing tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
If a valve cap is not installed, dirt or moisture may get into the valve and cause an air
leak, resulting in decreased tire inflation pressure.
474
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Wheels
When replacing wheels, care should be ta
ken to ensure that they are equivalent
to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim width and inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Lexus does not recommend using the following:
●Wheels of different sizes or types
●Used wheels
●Bent wheels that have been straightened
●Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with your alumi-
num wheels.
●When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the wheel nuts are
still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
●Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire chains.
●Use only Lexus genuine balance weights or equivalent and a plastic or rubber
hammer when balancing your wheels.
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide advance warning in the event
of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced, tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters must be installed. (→P. 462)
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced. Other-
wise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause a loss of handling control.
Wheel selection
Aluminum wheel precautions
495
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
8When trouble arises
8-1. Essential informationEmergency 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 sy stem 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
502
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
●Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
●Engine coolant temperature gauge needle
continually points higher than nor-
mal.
●Changes in exhaust sound
●Excessive tire squeal when cornering
●Strange noises related to the suspension system
●Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
●Appreciable loss of power
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches the floor
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
5058-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
*: Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzer: The driver’s seat belt warning buzzer sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat belt
is not fastened. Once the power switch is turned to ON mode, the buzzer sounds for
6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds
once. If the seat belt is st ill unfastened after 30 seconds, the buzzer will sound inter-
mittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound
in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
The front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Th e buzzer sounds once if the vehicle reaches
a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfastened after 30 seconds, the
buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front impact sensors, side
impact sensors (front door), side impact se nsors (front), side impact sensors (rear),
driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front passenger occupant
classification system (ECU and sensors), “AIR BAG ON” indicator light, “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch, seat belt pretensioner assem-
blies, airbags, interconnectin g wiring and power sources.
( → P. 38)
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( →P. 506)
•Flat tire ( →P. 513)
→ Adjust the tire inflation pres sure to the specified level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the light does
not turn off even if the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, have the
system checked by your Lexus dealer.
When the light comes on af ter blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pr essure warning system (→P. 506)
→ Have the system checked by your Lexus dealer.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
“AFS OFF” indicator
Indicates a malfunction in the adaptive front-lighting system
→Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
5068-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
■Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning buzzer
●If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detection sensor
may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to sound even if a passen-
ger is not sittin g in the seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sens or may not detect a passenger, and the warn-
ing light may not operate properly.
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge becomes insu fficient or the voltage temporarily drops,
the electric power steering system warning light may come on and the warning buzzer
may sound.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fu el tank immediately.
●Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after severa l trips, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressu re and adjust to the appropriate level. Pushing the tire
pressure warning reset switch will not tu rn off the tire pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such as natural air
leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caus ed by temperature. In this case, adjusting
the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not turn off even though the flat
tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
■Conditions that the tire pressure wa rning system may not function properly
→ P. 465
■If the tire pressure warning light freque ntly comes on after blinking for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute when the
power switch is turned to ON mode, ha ve it checked by your Lexus dealer.
■Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an audio sound.
5078-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
WARNING
■If both the ABS and the brake sy stem warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediat ely and contact your Lexus dealer. The vehi-
cle will become extremely unstable during br aking, and the ABS system may fail, which
could cause an accident resultin g in death or serious injury.
■When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold firmly and oper-
ate using more force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precaution s. Failure to do so could cause a loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pressure
immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire . Check the tires. If a tire is flat, change it
with the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.