2020 Lexus ES300h service

641-4. Hybrid system
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.
Warning label
Service plug
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
High voltage cables (orange)
Electric motor (traction motor)
Power control unit
Air conditioning compressor
■Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the
hybrid system cannot be started, refuel the
vehicle with at least enough gasoline to
make the low fuel level warning light
(  P.367) go off. If there is only a small
amount of fuel, the hybrid system may not
be able to start. (The standard amount of fuel is about 2.4gal. [9.0 L, 2.0 Imp.gal.],
when the vehicle is on a level surface. This
value may vary when the vehicle is on a
slope. Add extra fuel when the vehicle is
inclined.)
■Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on hybrid
vehicles incorporate electromagnetic
Hybrid system precautions
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 th e warning labels attached to the vehi-
cle.
System components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G

651-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
shielding, and therefore emit approxi-
mately the same amount of electromag-
netic waves as conventional gasoline
powered vehicles or home electronic
appliances.
●Your vehicle may cause sound interfer-
ence in some third party-produced radio
parts.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a
limited service life. The lifespan of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) can
change in accordance with driving style and
driving conditions.
WARNING
■High voltage precautions
This vehicle has high voltage DC and AC
systems as well as a 12-volt system. DC
and AC high voltage is very dangerous
and can cause severe burns and electric
shock that may result in death or serious
injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or
replace the high voltage parts, cables
or their connectors.
●The hybrid system will become hot
after starting as the system uses high
voltage. Be careful of both the high
voltage and the high temperature, and
always obey the warning labels
attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug
access hole located under the rear
seat (right side). The service plug is
used only when the vehicle is serviced
and is subject to high voltage.
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of death or serious injury:
●Stop the vehicle in a safe place to pre-
vent subsequent accidents. While
depressing the brake pedal, apply the
parking brake and sh ift the shift lever
to P to stop the hybrid system. Then,
slowly release the brake pedal.
●Do not touch the high voltage parts,
cables and connectors.
●If electric wires are exposed inside or
outside your vehicle, an electric shock
may occur. Never touch exposed elec-
tric wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch the
fluid as it may be st rong alkaline elec-
trolyte from the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery). If it comes into contact
with your skin or eyes, wash it off
immediately with a large amount of
water or, if possible, boric acid solu-
tion. Seek immediate medical atten-
tion.
●If electrolyte is leaking from the hybrid
battery (traction battery), do not
approach the vehicle.
Even in the unlikely event that the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is
damaged, the internal construction of
the battery will prev ent a large amount
of electrolyte from leaking out. How-
ever, any electrolyte that does leak out
will give off a vapor. This vapor is an
irritant to skin and eyes and could
cause acute poisoning if inhaled.
●Do not bring burning or high-tem-
perature items close to the electrolyte.
The electrolyte may ignite and cause a
fire.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle,
leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not
meant for electric fires. Using even a
small amount of water may be danger-
ous.

661-4. Hybrid system
There is an air intake vent under the
rear seat (right side) for the purpose of
cooling the hybrid battery (traction
battery). If the vent becomes blocked,
the hybrid battery (traction battery)
may overheat, leading to a reduction in
the hybrid battery (traction battery)
output.
WARNING
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do
so with front wheels raised. If the
wheels connected to the electric
motor (traction motor) are on the
ground when towing, the motor may
continue to generate electricity. This
may cause a fire. ( P.359)
●Carefully inspect the ground under the
vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel sys-
tem may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
●Never resell, hand over or modify the
hybrid battery. To prevent accidents,
hybrid batteries that have been
removed from a disposed vehicle are
collected through Lexus dealer. Do not
dispose of the battery yourself.
Unless the battery is properly col-
lected, the following may occur, result-
ing in death or serious injury:
• The hybrid battery may be illegally dis- posed of or dumped, and it is hazard-
ous to the environment or someone
may touch a high voltage part, result-
ing in an electric shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to be used exclusively with your hybrid vehi-
cle. If the hybrid battery is used outside
of your vehicle or modified in any way,
accidents such as electric shock, heat
generation, smoke generation, an
explosion and electrolyte leakage may
occur.
When reselling or handing over your
vehicle, the possibility of an accident is
extremely high because the person
receiving the vehicle may not be aware
of these dangers.
●If your vehicle is disposed of without
the hybrid battery having been
removed, there is a danger of serious
electric shock if hi gh voltage parts,
cables and their connectors are
touched. In the event that your vehicle
must be disposed of, the hybrid battery
must be disposed of by your Lexus
dealer or a qualified service shop. If
the hybrid battery is not disposed of
properly, it may cause electric shock
that can result in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Do not carry large amounts of water
such as water cooler bottles in the vehi-
cle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery
(traction battery), the battery may be
damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer.
Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) air intake vent

1704-3. Operating the lights and wipers
When the windshield wipers are not
being used, they retract to below the
hood. To enable the windshield wipers
to be lifted when parking in cold condi-
tions or when replacing a windshield
wiper insert, change the rest position of
the windshield wipers to the service
position using the wiper lever.
■Raising the wipers to the service
position
Within approximately 45 seconds of
turning the power switch off, move the
wiper lever to the (U.S.A.) or
(Canada) position and hold it for
approximately 2 se conds or more.
The wipers will move to the service posi-
tion.
■Lifting the windshield wipers
While holding the hook portion of
the wiper arm, lift the windshield wiper
from the windshield.
■Lowering the windshield wipers to the
retracted position
With the windshield wipers placed on the
windshield, turn the power switch to ON
mode and then move the wiper lever to an
operating position. Wh en the wiper switch
is turned off, the windshield wipers will stop
at the retracted position.
Changing the windshield wiper
rest position/Lifting the wind-
shield wipers
NOTICE
■When lifting the windshield wipers
●Do not lift the windshield wipers when
they are in the retracted position
below the hood. Otherwise, they may
contact the hood, possibly resulting in
damage to a windshield wiper and/or
the hood.
●Do not lift a windshield wiper by the
wiper blade. Otherwise, the wiper
blade may be deformed.
A

2544-6. Driving tips
Use fluids that are appropriate to
the prevailing outside temperatures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant/power control unit cool-
ant
• Washer fluid
 Have a service technician inspect
the condition of the 12-volt battery.
 Have the vehicle fitted with four
snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
*
Ensure that all tires are the specified size
and brand, and that chains match the size
of the tires.
*: Tire chains cannot be mounted on vehi-
cles with 18-inch tires.
Perform the following according to the
driving conditions:
 Do not try to forcibly open a window
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary prepara-
tions and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive
the vehicle in a manner appropriate
to the prevailing weather condi-
tions.
Preparation for winter
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of
vehicle control and cause death or seri-
ous injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended level of air
pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120
km/h), regardless of the type of snow
tires being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some
wheels.
■Driving with tire chains (vehicles with
17-inch tires)
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle
being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), which-
ever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces
or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine
braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering
a curve to ensure that vehicle control is
maintained.
●Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
system.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow
tires from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal and attach-
ment of snow tires affects the operation
of the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters.
Before driving the vehicle

2564-6. Driving tips
0.98 in. (25 mm) in length
Vehicles with 18-inch tires
Tire chains cannot be mounted.
Snow tires should be used instead.
Regulations regarding the use of tire
chains vary depending on location and
type of road. Always check local regu-
lations before installing chains.
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when
installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe
location.
●Install tire chains on the front tires. Do not
install tire chains on the rear tires.
●Install tire chains on fr ont tires as tightly as
possible. Retighten chains after driving
1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
●Install tire chains following the instruc-
tions provided with the tire chains.
To enable the windshield wipers to be
lifted when heavy snow or icy condi-
tions are expected, change the rest
position of the windshield wipers from
the retracted position below the hood
to the service position using the wiper lever. (
P.170)
Regulations on the use of tire
chains (vehicles with 17-inch
tires)
NOTICE
■Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.
Windshield wipers
F

305
6
6
Maintenance and care
Maintenance and care
6-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehi-cle exterior ................................ 306
Cleaning and protecting the vehi- cle interior ................................. 309
6-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ... 312
General maintenance .............. 313
Emission inspection and mainte- nance (I/M) programs .......... 316
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions......................................................... 317
Hood................................................ 319
Positioning a floor jack............. 319
Engine compartment................ 321
12-volt battery............................. 326
Tires ................................................ 329
Tire inflation pressure .............. 338
Wheels........................................... 340
Air conditioning filter................341
Cleaning the hybrid battery (trac- tion battery) air intake vent and
filter .............................................. 343
Electronic key battery ............. 346
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................................ 348
Headlight aim.............................. 350
Light bulbs ..................................... 351

3126-2. Maintenance
6-2.Maintenance
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Lexus parts
be used for repairs to ensure performance
of each system. If non-Lexus parts are used
in replacement or if a repair shop other than
a Lexus dealer perfor ms repairs, confirm
the warranty coverage.
■Allow inspection and repairs to be per-
formed by a Lexus dealer
●Lexus technicians are well-trained spe-
cialists and are kept up to date with the
latest service information. They are well
informed about the operations of all sys-
tems on your vehicle.
●Keep a copy of the repa ir order. It proves
that the maintenance that has been per-
formed is under warra nty coverage. If any
problem should arise while your vehicle is
under warranty, your Lexus dealer will
promptly take care of it.
General maintenance should be per-
formed on a daily basis. This can be
done by yourself or by a Lexus dealer.
Scheduled maintenance should be
performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance sched-
ule.
For details about ma intenance items and
schedules, refer to the “Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.
■Resetting the message indicating main-
tenance is required
After the required maintenance is per-
formed according to the maintenance
schedule, please reset the message.
To reset the message, follow the procedure
described below:
1
Press or of the meter control
switches and select .
2
Press or of the meter control
switches and select “Vehicle Settings”.
Then press “OK”.
Maintenance requirements
To ensure safe and economical driv-
ing, day-to-day care and regular
maintenance are essential. It is the
owner’s responsibility to perform
regular checks. Lexus recommends
the following maintenance:
WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly main-
tained
Improper maintenanc e could result in
serious damage to the vehicle and possi-
ble death or serious injury.
■Handling of the 12-volt battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constitu-
ents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and
other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehi-
cles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of Cali-
fornia to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Avoid exposure and wash any affected
area immediately.
●12-volt battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds which are known to
cause brain damage. Wash your hands
after handling. ( P.326)
General maintenance
Scheduled maintenance