Page 273 of 608
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
2734-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn the
steering wheel
The slip indicator light will flash while
the TRAC/VSC/ABS systems are
operating.
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC system may reduce
power from the hybrid system to the wheels. Pressing to turn the sys-
tem off may make it easier for you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
To turn the TRAC system off, quickly
press and release .
The “Traction Control Turned Off” will
be shown on the multi-information dis-
play. Press again to turn the sys-
tem back on.
When the TRAC/VSC/ABS systems are operating
Disabling the TRAC system
Page 275 of 608

ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
2754-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the following cases, but it does not indicate that a
malfunction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is oper-
ated.
●Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle when the
driver’s door is opened.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or two minutes
passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turing the TRAC and VSC systems off, the syst ems will be automatically re-
enabled in the following situations:
●When the power switch is turned off
●If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed
increases.
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will not occur
when vehicle speed increases.
■Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will operate:
●The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/backward on
an upward incline).
●The vehicle is stopped.
●The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●The parking brake is not engaged.
■Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
●The shift lever is moved to P or N.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed.
●The parking brake is engaged.
●Approximately 2 seconds elapse af ter the brake pedal is released.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering
wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input
or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off. The EPS system should return to nor-
mal within 10 minutes.
Page 292 of 608

292
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)5-1. Basic Operations
Steering wheel audio switches
Volume switch
• Increases/decreases volume
• Press and hold: Continuously increases/decreases volume
Radio mode: • Press: Select a radio station
• Press and hold: Seek up/down
CD, MP3/WMA/AAC disc, Bluetooth
®, iPod or USB mode:
• Press: Select a track/file/video
• Press and hold (except iPod): Quickl y move up/down through tracks/files/
videos.
“MODE” switch • Turns the power on, selects audio source
• Press and hold this switch to mute or pause the current operation. To can- cel the mute or pause, press and hold.
Some audio features can be controlled using the switches on the steering
wheel.
Operation may differ depending on th e type of audio system or navigation
system. For details, refer to the manual provided with the audio system or nav-
igation system.
Operating the audio system us ing the steering wheel switches
1
2
WARNING
■To reduce the risk of an accident
Exercise care when operating the audio switches on the steering wheel.
3
Page 383 of 608

383
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
6Interior features
6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system ......................................... 384
Heated steering wheel/ seat heaters/seat
ventilators ...................................394
6-2. Using the interior lights Interior lights list..........................396• Interior lights .......................... 397
• Personal lights ....................... 397 6-3. Using the storage features
List of storage features ............ 399
• Glove box .............................. 400
• Console box.......................... 400
• Cup holders ............................ 401
• Auxiliary box .......................... 402
Trunk features .............................403
6-4. Using the other interior features
Other interior features ............405 • Sun visors ................................405
• Vanity mirrors .......................405
• Clock ........................................406
• Power outlets.........................406
• Armrest .................................... 407
• Rear sunshade/rear door sunshades............................... 408
• Coat hooks .............................. 410
• Assist grips............................... 410
Garage door opener .................. 411
Compass ........................................ 418
LEXUS Enform Safety Connect ...................................... 422
LEXUS Enform Remote ......... 427
LEXUS Enform Service Connect ...................................... 428
Page 395 of 608
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
3956-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
Turns the heated steering wheel on/off
The indicator light comes on when the
heated steering wheel is operating.
●The heated steering wheel can be used when the power switch is in ON mode.
●The heated steering wheel will automati cally turn off after about 30 minutes.
Heats the seat
The indicator light comes on.
The higher the number of dots, the
warmer the seat becomes.
Blows air from the seat
The indicator light comes on.
The higher the number of dots, the
stronger the airflow becomes.
The seat heaters and ventilators can be used when the power switch is in ON mode.
Heated steering wheel
Seat heaters and ventilators
1
2
Page 497 of 608

497
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)8-1. Essential information
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Steadily step on the brake pedal with
both feet and firmly depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to
slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the hybrid system.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle speed as
much as possible.
To stop the hybrid system, press and
hold the power switch for 2 consec-
utive seconds or more, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way, stop the vehicl e using the following procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more
or press briefly 3 times or more
4
WARNING
■If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the steering wheel will be lost, making the steering wheel heavier to
turn. Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the hybrid system.
5
Page 501 of 608

5018-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
■While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not function,
making steering and br aking more difficult.
■Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in trunk. ( →P. 514)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
■While towing
●When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place excessive
stress on the eyelet, cables or chains. The towing eyelet, cables or chains may
become damaged, broken debris may hit people and cause serious damage.
●Do not turn the power switch off.
There is a possibility that the steering w heel is locked and cannot be operated.
■Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelet is installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing ey elets may come loose during towing.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck
●Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the power switch is off. The steering lock
mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight.
●When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground cleara nce for towing at the oppo-
site end of the raised vehicle. Without ad equate clearance, the vehicle could be dam-
aged while being towed.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle wh en towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■To prevent damage to the ve hicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the front
wheels raised or with all four wheels raised off
the ground. If the vehicle is towed with the front
wheels contacting the ground, the drivetrain
and related parts may be damaged or electric-
ity generated by the operation of the motor
may cause a fire to o ccur depending on the
nature of the damage or malfunction.
Page 504 of 608

5048-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering) sys-
tem
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(Flashes or illuminates)
PCS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or that
the system is temporarily unavailable due to the vehicle being
extremely hot/cold, or dirt around a front sensor, etc.
(→ P. 215, 509)
→ Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information dis-
play. ( →P. 215, 509)
If the PCS (Pre-Collision System ) or VSC (Vehicle Stability Con-
trol) system is disabled, the PC S warning light will illuminate.
→ P. 215
Slip indicator light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system;
• The TRAC system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
The light will flash when the ABS, VSC or TRAC is operating.
Low fuel level warning light Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.6 gal. (9.7 L,
2.1 Imp.gal.) or less
→ Refuel the vehicle.
Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their seat belts
→ Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front passenger’s
seat belt also needs to be fastened to make the warning light
(warning buzzer) turn off.
Master warning light
A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and flashes to
indicate that the master warnin g system has detected a malfunc-
tion.
→ P. 509
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions