2019 Lexus ES350 power steering

1394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
1Stop the vehicle completely.
2 Set the parking brake ( P.146),
and shift the shift lever to P
( P.142).
3 Press the engine switch.
4 Release the brake pedal and check
that “ACCESSORY” or “IGNI-
TION ON” is not shown on the
meter.
Modes can be changed by pressing
the engine switch with the brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each
time the switch is pressed.) 1
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be used.
2ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as the
audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the
meter.
3IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the
meter.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than
P when turning off the engine, the
engine switch will be turned to ACCES-
SORY mode, not to off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode
for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION
ON mode (the engine is not running) for
more than an hour with the shift lever in P,
the engine switch will automatically turn off.
However, this function cannot entirely pre-
vent the battery discharge. Do not leave the
vehicle with the engine switch in ACCES-
Stopping the engine
WARNING
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
●If you want to stop the engine in an
emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for
more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession.
(  P.340)
However, do not touch the engine
switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while
driving will not cause loss of steering
or braking control, but the power assist
these systems will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer and
brake, so you should pull over and stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
●If the engine switch is operated while
the vehicle is running, a warning mes-
sage will be shown on the multi-infor-
mation display and a buzzer sounds.
●When restarting the engine after an
emergency shutdown, press the
engine switch.
Changing engine switch modes

2034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
mode is suitable for when agile driving
response is desired, such as when driving
on roads with many curves.
When not in SPORT mode, if the Driving
Mode Select switch is turned away from
you, the “Sport” indicator comes on.
Vehicles with Adaptive Variable
Suspension system
1 Normal mode/Custom mode
Normal mode and custom mode are
selected by pressing the Driving Mode
Select switch. Each time the switch is
pressed, the driving mode changes
between normal mode and custom mode.
When custom mode is selected, the “Cus-
tom” indicator comes on.
Press the switch to change the driving
mode to normal mode when not in normal
mode.
•Normal mode
Provides an optimal ba lance of fuel econ-
omy, quietness, and dynamic performance.
Suitable for city driving.
•Custom mode
Allows you to drive with the power train,
chassis and air conditioning system func-
tions set to your preferred settings.
Custom mode settings can only be
changed on the drive mode customization display of the Center Display. (
P.245)
2 Eco drive mode
Helps the driver acce lerate in an eco-
friendly manner and improve fuel economy
through moderate thro ttle characteristics
and by controlling the operation of the air
conditioning system (heating/cooling).
When not in Eco drive mode, if the Driving
Mode Select switch is turned toward you,
the “Eco” indicator comes on.
3 Sport mode
•SPORT S mode
Controls the transmission and engine to
provide quick, powerful acceleration. This
mode is suitable for when agile driving
response is desired, such as when driving
on roads with many curves.
When not in SPORT S mode, if the Driving
Mode Select switch is turned away from
you, the “Sport S” indicator comes on.
•SPORT S+ mode
Helps to ensure steering performance and
driving stability by simultaneously con-
trolling the steering and suspension in
addition to the transmission and engine.
Suitable for sportier driving.
When in SPORT S mode, if the Driving
Mode Select switch is turned away from
you, the “Sport S+” indicator comes on.
■Operation of the air conditioning sys-
tem in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cool-
ing operations and fan speed of the air con-
ditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency.
To improve air condit ioning performance,
perform the following operations:
●Turn off eco air conditioning mode
(  P.255)
●Adjust the fan speed ( P.254)
●Turn off Eco drive mode ( P.202)

2364-5. Using the driving support systems
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the
brakes are applied suddenly, or if the
brakes are applied while driving on a
slippery road surface
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of brak-
ing force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a
panic stop situation
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding
when swerving sudden ly or turning on
slippery road surfaces
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehi-
cle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the
ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability
when swerving on slippery road sur-
faces by controlling steering perfor-
mance.
■Secondary Collision Brake (SCB)
When the airbag sensor detects a colli-
sion, the brakes and brake lights are
automatically controlled to reduce the
vehicle speed and that helps reduce
the possibility of further damage due to
a secondary collision
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and pre-
vent the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerat-
ing on slippery roads
■Active Cornering Assist (ACA)
Helps to prevent the vehicle from drift-
ing to the outer side by performing
inner wheel brake control when
attempting to acce lerate during cor-
nering
■Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward move-
ment of the vehicle when starting on an
uphill
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce
the amount of effort needed to turn the
steering wheel
■AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspen-
sion System) (if equipped)
By independently controlling the
damping force of th e shock absorbers
for each of the 4 wheels according to
the road and driving conditions, this
system helps riding comfort with supe-
rior vehicle stability, and helps good
vehicle posture.
Also, the damping force changes
depending on the selected driving
Driving assist systems
To keep driving safety and perfor-
mance, the following systems oper-
ate automatically in response to
various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are
supplementary and should not be
relied upon too heavily when oper-
ating the vehicle.
Summary of the driving assist
systems

3417-1. Essential information
7
When trouble arises
seconds or more, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession.
5 Stop the vehicle in a safe place by
the road. 
Remove the seat belt first.
 If the door can be opened, open the
door and exit the vehicle.
 If the door can not be opened, open
the window using the power window
switch and exit the vehicle through
the window.
 If the window can not be opened
using the power window switch,
remain calm, wait until the water
level inside the vehicle rises to the
point that the water pressure inside
of the vehicle equals the water pres-
sure outside of the vehicle, and then
open the door and exit the vehicle.
WARNING
■If the engine has to be turned off while
driving
Power assist for the brakes and steering
wheel will be lost, making the brake
pedal harder to depress and the steering
wheel heavier to turn. Decelerate as
much as possible before turning off the
engine.
If the vehicle is trapped in
rising water
In the event the vehicle is sub-
merged in water, remain calm and
perform the following.
WARNING
■Using an emergency hammer*1 for
emergency escape
The rear side windows and rear window
of this vehicle can be shattered by an
emergency hammer
*1 used for emer-
gency escape, however, since the wind-
shield and front side windows
*2 are
laminated glass they can not be shattered
by an emergency hammer
*1.
*1: Contact your Lexus dealer or after-
market accessory manufacturer for
further information about an emer-
gency hammer.
*2: Vehicles with laminated glass

3467-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7Shift the shift lever to N and release
the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted:
P.142
■While towing
If the engine is not running, the power assist
for the brakes and steering will not function,
making steering and braking more difficult.
■Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in trunk.
(  P.363)
 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
continually points higher than nor-
mal.
 Changes in exhaust sound
 Excessive tire squeal when corner-
ing
 Strange noises related to the sus-
pension system
 Pinging or other noises related to
the engine
 Engine missing, stumbling or run-
ning roughly
 Appreciable loss of power
 Vehicle pulls heavily to one side
when braking
If you think something is
wrong
If you notice any of the following
symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Con-
tact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

3507-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■ABS warning light (warning buzzer)
Brake Override System warning light/Drive-Start Control warning light
*
(warning buzzer)
■
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
 The ABS; or
 The brake assist system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
When a buzzer sounds:
Brake Override System is malfunctioning;
 Drive-Start Control is operating; or
 Drive-Start Control is malfunctioning
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Brake Override System is operating
 Release the accelerator pedal and depress the brake pedal.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(red)
or
(yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering) system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

3557-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
■Brake hold operated indicator (warning buzzer)
■Master warning light (warning buzzer)
■Warning buzzer
In some cases, the bu zzer may not be heard
due to being in a noisy location or audio
sound.
■Front passenger detection sensor, seat
belt reminder and warning buzzer
●If luggage is placed on the front passen-
ger seat, the front passenger detection
sensor may cause th e warning light to
flash and the warning buzzer to sound
even if a passenger is not sitting in the
seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sen-
sor may not detect a passenger, and the
warning light may not operate properly.
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, fr ont impact sensors,
side impact sensors (front door), side
impact sensors (front), side impact sensors
(rear), driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s
seat belt buckle switch, front passenger
occupant classification system (ECU and
sensors), “AIR BAG ON” indicator light,
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light, front pas-
senger’s seat belt buc kle switch, seat belt
pretensioners, airbags, interconnecting wir-
ing and power sources.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes
on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty? If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
●Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving
trips.
If the light does not go off even after several
trips, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
■Electric power steering system warning
light (warning buzzer)
When the battery charge becomes insuffi-
cient or the voltage temporarily drops, the
electric power steering system warning
light may come on and the warning buzzer
may sound.
■When the tire pressure warning light
comes on
Inspect the tires to check if a tire is punc-
tured.
If a tire is punctured:  P.362
If none of the tires are punctured:
Turn the engine switch off then turn it to
IGNITION ON mode. Check if the tire
pressure warning light comes on or blinks.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(flashes)
Indicates a malfunction in the brake hold system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
A buzzer sounds and the warning ligh t comes on and flashes to indicate
that the master warning system has detected a malfunction.
 P.358

3567-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the tire pressure warning light blinks for
approximately 1 minute then stays on
There may be a malfunct ion in the tire pres-
sure warning system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
If the tire pressure warning light comes
on
1 After the temperature of the tires has
lowered sufficiently, check the inflation
pressure of each tire and adjust them to
the specified level.
2 If the warning light does not turn off
even after several minutes have
elapsed, check that the inflation pres-
sure of each tire is at the specified level
and perform initialization. ( P.321)
■The tire pressure warning light may
come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure wa rning light may come
on due to natural causes such as natural air
leaks and tire inflation pressure changes
caused by temperature. In this case, adjust-
ing the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with
a tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warn-
ing light will not turn off even though the flat
tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire
and adjust the tire inflation pressure. The
tire pressure warning lig ht will go off after a
few minutes.
■Conditions that the tire pressure warn-
ing system may not function properly
 P.319
WARNING
■If both the ABS and the brake system
warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immedi-
ately and contact your Lexus dealer.
The vehicle will become extremely
unstable during br aking, and the ABS
system may fail, which could cause an
accident resulting in death or serious
injury.
■When the electric power steering
system warning light comes on
When the light comes on yellow, the
assist to the power st eering is restricted.
When the light comes on red, the assist
to the power steering is lost and handling
operations of the steering wheel become
extremely heavy.
When steering wheel operations are
heavier than usual, grip the steering
wheel firmly and operate it using more
force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light
comes on
Be sure to observe the following precau-
tions.
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. Check and adjust the
tire inflation pre ssure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes
on even after tire inflation pressure
adjustment, it is prob able that you have
a flat tire. Check the tire s. 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 brak-
ing.
If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you
could lose control of the steering
wheel or the brakes.