2018 Lexus ES300h Owner's Manual (OM33D45U)

651-1. For safe use
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
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For safety and security
WARNING
■When installing a child restraint system
●When a booster seat is installed, always en sure that the shoulder belt is positioned
across the center of the child’s shoulder. The belt should be kept away from the child’s
neck, but not so that it could fall off the ch ild’s shoulder. Failing to do so may result in
death or serious injury in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an acci-
dent.
●Ensure that the belt and plate are securely locked and the seat belt is not twisted.
●Shake the child restraint system left and right, and forward and backward to ensure
that it has been securely installed.
●If the seat is adjusted, reconfirm the security of the child restraint system.
●Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufacturer.
●When securing some types of child restraint systems in rear seat, it may not be possi-
ble to properly use the seat belts in positions next to the child restraint without inter-
fering with it or affecting seat belt effectiveness. Be sure your seat belt fits snugly
across your shoulder and low on your hips. If it does not, or if it interferes with the child
restraint, move to a different position. Failure to do so ma y result in death or serious
injury.
■Do not use a seat belt extender
If a seat belt extender is used when insta lling a child restraint system, the seat belt will
not securely hold the child restraint system , which could cause death or serious injury
to the child or other passengers in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an
accident.
■To correctly attach a child re straint system to the anchors
When using the LATCH anchors, be sure that there are no foreign objects around the
anchors and that the seat belt is not caught behind the child restraint system. Make sure
the child restraint system is securely attached , or it may cause death or serious injury to
the child or other passengers in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an
accident.

661-1. For safe use
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
Exhaust gas precautions
Harmful substance to the human body is included in exhaust gases if inhaled.
WARNING
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases enter the vehicle and may lead to an accident
caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
■Important points while driving
●Keep the trunk lid closed.
●If you smell exhaust gases in the vehicle even when the trunk lid is closed, open the
windows and have the vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■When parking
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a garage, stop the
hybrid system.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system on for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and ensure
that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or where it is
snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the hybrid system is operat-
ing, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
■Exhaust pipe
The exhaust system needs to be checked periodically. If there is a hole or crack caused
by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure to have the vehicle
inspected and repaired by your Lexus dealer.

671-2. Hybrid system
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
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For safety and security
Hybrid system features
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.
Gasoline engine
Electric motor (traction motor)
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from conven-
tional vehicles. Be sure you are closely familiar with the characteristics of your
vehicle, and operate it with care.
The hybrid system combines the use of a gasoline engine and an electric
motor (traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving fuel effi-
ciency and reducing exhaust emissions.
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681-2. Hybrid system
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
◆When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops
* when the vehicle is stopped. During start off, the
electric motor (traction mo tor) drives the vehicle. At slow speeds or when
traveling down a gentle slope, the engine is stopped
* and the electric motor
(traction motor) is used.
When the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) is not being
charged.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the engine is warming up, etc., the gasoline engi ne will not automatically stop. (→P. 69)
◆During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor (traction
motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) as necessary.
◆When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) is added to that of the gasoline engine via the electric
motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The wheels operate the electric motor (traction motor) as a power generator,
and the hybrid battery (traction battery) is charged.
When driving with the gasoline engine stopped, a sound, which changes in
accordance with the driving speed, will be played in order to warn people nearby
of the vehicle’s approach. The sound w ill stop when the vehicle speed exceeds
approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).
Vehicle proximity notification system

691-2. Hybrid system
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
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For safety and security
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, ki netic energy is converted to electric energy and decelera-
tion force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift lever in D or S.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift lever in D or S.
■EV indicator
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automati cally. However, it may not stop automati-
cally in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
●When the heater is switched on
■Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery does not
need to be charged from an ou tside source. However, if the vehicle is left parked for a
long time the hybrid battery (traction batter y) will slowly discharge. For this reason, be
sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or 10
miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery (traction battery) beco mes fully discharged and you
are unable to start the hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Charging the 12-volt battery
→ P. 529
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or when the terminal has been removed and
installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues fo r a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
The EV indicator comes on when the vehicle is
driven using only the el
ectric motor (traction
motor) or the gasoline engine is stopped.

701-2. Hybrid system
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehicle is able to move with
the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure
to shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occu r when the hybrid system is operating and
are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind the rear seats
when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a snap or so ft clank will be emitted from the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), behind the rear se ats, when the hybrid system is started or
stopped.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the transmission wh en the gasoline engine starts or stops,
when driving at low spee ds, or during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is depressed
or as the accelerator pedal is released.
●Vibration may be felt when the ga soline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from th e air intake vent on rear left seat.
■Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity notification system may be difficult for sur-
rounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification system is installed on the front of the vehicle, it
may be more difficult to hear from the re ar of the vehicle compared to the front.
■If “Proximity Notification System Malfunct ion” is displayed on the multi-information
display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Maintenance, repair, re cycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding mainte nance, repair, recycling and disposal. Do
not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the EV indicator) can be changed.
(Customizable features: →P. 560)

711-2. Hybrid system
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For safety and security
Hybrid system precautions
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high voltage system
(about 650 V at maximum) as well as contains parts that become extremely
hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the warning labels attached to
the vehicle.
Air conditioning compressor
Power control unit
High voltage cables (orange)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) Service plug
Electric motor (traction motor)
Warning label1
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721-2. Hybrid system
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
There is an air intake vent beside the
rear left seat for the purpose of cooling
the hybrid battery (traction battery). If
the vent becomes blocked, the hybrid
battery may overheat, leading to a
reduction in hybrid battery output.
When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the emergency
shut off system blocks the high voltage current and stops the fuel pump to mini-
mize the risk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If the emergency shut off system
activates, your vehicle will not restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your
Lexus dealer.
A message is automatically displayed wh en a malfunction occurs in the hybrid
system or an improper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on the
multi-information display, read the
message and follow the instructions.
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message