2018 Lexus ES300h Owner's Manual (OM33D45U)

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

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 frontFrom the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.

4998-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle is transported by a flat
bed truck, it should be tied down at the
locations shown in the illustration.
If you use chains or cables to tie down
your vehicle, the angles shaded in black
must be 45 °.
Do not overly tighten the tie downs or
the vehicle may be damaged.
If a tow truck is not available in an em ergency, your vehicle may be temporarily
towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency towing eyelets. This
should only be attempted on hard surf aced roads for short distance at under
18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to st eer and operate the brakes. The vehicle’s
wheels, drive train, axles, steering an d brakes must be in good condition.
Using a flat bed truck
Emergency towing

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
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

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.

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

503
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system
. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspecte d by your Lexus dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (red indicator) and warning buzzer
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
Brake system warning light (yellow indicator)
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative brake system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic hybrid transmission control system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

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