Page 281 of 608
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
2814-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
●Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the parking
brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released. If
the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, make sure to block the
wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous because it may cause the vehicle to move
unexpectedly, possibly leading to an accident.
●If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, confirm that the shift
lever cannot be moved out of P*.
*: The shift lever will be locked if it is attempted to be shifted from P to any other position
without depressing the brake pedal. If the sh ift lever can be shifted from P, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
0.12 in. (3 mm) in diameter
0.39 in. (10 mm) in width
1.18 in. (30 mm) in length
Cross chain
0.16 in. (4 mm) in diameter
0.55 in. (14 mm) in width
0.98 in. (25 mm) in length
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on location and type
of road. Always check local regu lations before installing chains.
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the front tires. Do not install tire chains on the rear tires.
●Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after driving 1/4
⎯ 1/2 mile (0.5 ⎯ 1.0 km).
●Install tire chains following the instru ctions provided with the tire chains.
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
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Regulations on the use of tire chains
Page 440 of 608
440
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.
Page 498 of 608
498
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem wi
th your hybrid transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
●A warning message for the hybrid system is shown on the multi-information
display and the vehicle does not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing se rvice, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the frontFrom the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
Page 500 of 608
5008-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
Take out the towing eyelet. (→P. 514)
Remove the eyelet cover using a flat-
head screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehi-
cle body as shown in the illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the hole
and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the power switch to ON mode.
Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: →P. 178
Emergency towing procedure
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Page 513 of 608
513
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If you have a flat tire
●Stop the vehicle in a safe pl
ace on a hard, flat surface.
●Set the parking brake.
●Shift the shift lever to P.
●Stop the hybrid system.
●Turn on the emergency flashers. ( →P. 496)
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire. The flat tire can be replaced with
the spare tire.
For details about tires: → P. 461
WARNING
■If you have a flat tire
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a flat ti re can damage the tire and the wheel beyond
repair, which could re sult in an accident.
Before jacking up the vehicle
Page 522 of 608
5228-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
WARNING
■When using the compact spare tire
●Remember that the compact spare tire provided is specifically designed for use with
your vehicle. Do not use your comp act spare tire on another vehicle.
●Do not use more than one compact spare tire simultaneously.
●Replace the compact spare tire with a standard tire as soon as possible.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting operations
that cause sudden engine braking.
■When the compact spare tire is attached
The vehicle speed may not be correctly detected, and the following systems may not
operate correctly:
■Speed limit when using the compact spare tire
Do not drive at speeds in excess of 50 mph (80 km/h) when a compact spare tire is
installed on the vehicle.
The compact spare tire is not designed for driving at high speeds. Failure to observe
this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or serious injury.
■After using the tools and jack
Before driving, make sure all the tools and jack are securely in place in their storage
location to reduce the possibilit y of personal injury during a collision or sudden brak-
ing.
NOTICE
■Driving with tire chains and the compact spare tire
Do not fit tire chains to the compact spare tire.
Tire chains may damage the vehicle body and adversely affect driving performance.
■When replacing the tires
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter
may be damaged if not handled correctly.
• ABS & Brake assist
•VSC
•TRAC
• Dynamic radar cruise control
•PCS
•EPS • LDA (Lane Departure Alert with
steering control)
• Lexus parking assist monitor
• Intuitive parking assist (if equipped)
• Navigation system (if equipped)
Page 524 of 608
5248-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
When the hybrid system does not start, the following steps can be used as an
interim measure to start the hybrid system if the power switch is functioning nor-
mally:
Do not use this starting procedur e except in cases of emergency.
Set the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Turn the power switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Press and hold the power switch for ab out 15 seconds while depressing the
brake pedal firmly.
Even if the hybrid system can be starte d using the above steps, the system may
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Emergency start function
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Page 535 of 608
535
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If the vehicle becomes stuck
Stop the hybrid system. Set the parkin
g brake and shift the shift lever to P.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the front wheels.
Place wood, stones or some other materi al under the front wheels to help pro-
vide traction.
Restart the hybrid system.
Shift the shift lever to D or R and rele ase the parking brake. Then, while exer-
cising caution, depress the accelerator pedal.
■When it is difficult to free the vehicle
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes
stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Press to turn off TRAC. ( →P. 273)
WARNING
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surrounding
area is clear to avoid striking other vehicl es, objects or people. The vehicle may also
lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme caution.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an acci-
dent resulting in deat h or serious injury.
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