Page 499 of 608
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
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
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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 502 of 608
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
Page 503 of 608

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.
Page 507 of 608

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.
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 519 of 608

5198-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
WARNING
■Replacing a flat tire
●Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in serious injury:
• Do not try to remove the wheel ornament by hand. Take due care in handling the ornament to avoid unexpected personal injury.
• Do not touch the disc wheels or the area around the brakes immediately after the vehicle has been driven.
After the vehicle has been driven the disc wheels and the area around the brakes
will be extremely hot. Touching these areas with hands, feet or other body parts
while changing a tire, etc. may result in burns.
●Failure to follow these precautions could cau se the wheel nuts to loosen and the tire
to fall off, resulting in death or serious injury.
• Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts. Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened, leading to
bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or grease can cause the wheel nuts
to loosen and the wheel may fall off, causing a serious accident. Remove any oil or
grease from the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
• Have the wheel nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m) as soon as possible after changing wheels.
• Do not attach a heavily damaged wheel or nament, as it may fly off the wheel while
the vehicle is moving.
• When installing a tire, only use wheel nuts that have been specifically designed for
that wheel.
• If there are any cracks or deformations in the bolt screws, nut threads or bolt holes
of the wheel, have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.