2021 LEXUS ES300h brake

3256-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN” lines
on the tank.
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and
prepare the necessary items.
 Fluid type
FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703
brake fluid
FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 or SAE J1704
brake fluid
Item
Clean funnel
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from
the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can
cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
If any washer does not work or “Wind-
shield Washer Fluid Low” is shown on
the multi-information display, the
washer tank may be empty. Add
washer fluid.
WARNING
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser
as they may be hot and cause serious
injuries, such as burns.
Checking and adding the brake
fluid
WARNING
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your
hands and eyes and damage painted sur-
faces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes,
flush the affected area with clean water
immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a
doctor.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear out
or when the fluid leve l in the accumulator
is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling,
there may be a serious problem.
Adding the washer fluid
WARNING
■When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the hybrid
system is hot or operating as washer fluid
contains alcohol and may catch fire if
spilled on the engine etc.

3587-1. Essential information
7-1.Essential information
Press the switch to flash all of the turn
signal lights.
To turn them off, press the switch once
again.
■Emergency flashers
●If the emergency flashers are used for a
long time while the hybrid system is not
operating (while the “READY” indicator
is not illuminated), the 12-volt battery may
discharge.
●If any of the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
or in the event of a strong rear impact, the
emergency flashers will turn on automati-
cally.
The emergency flashers will turn off auto-
matically after operating for approxi-
mately 20 minutes. To manually turn the
emergency flashers off, press the switch
twice.
(The emergency flashers may not turn on
automatically depending on the force of
the impact and conditions of the colli-
sion.)
1 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.
2Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
3 After slowing down, stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place by the road.
4 Stop the hybrid system.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to
N
3 Keep depressing the brake pedal
with both feet to reduce vehicle
speed as much as possible.
4 To stop the hybrid system, press
and hold the power switch for 2
consecutive seconds or more, or
Emergency flashers
The emergency flashers are used to
warn other drivers when the vehi-
cle has to be stopped in the road
due to a breakdown, etc.
Operating instructions
If your vehicle has to be
stopped in an emergency
Only in an emergency, such as if it
becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way, stop the
vehicle using the following proce-
dure:
Stopping the vehicle

3627-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The hybrid system warning message
is shown on the multi-information
display and the vehicle does not
move.
 The vehicle makes an abnormal
sound.
From the front
Release the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off. ( P.158)
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels. When using a flat-bed truck to trans-
port the vehicle, use tire strapping
belts. Refer to the owner’s manual of
the flat-bed truck for the tire strapping
method.
In order to suppress vehicle movement
during transportation, set the parking
brake and turn the power switch off.
If a tow truck is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using cables or chains
secured to the emergency towing eye-
lets. This should only be attempted on
hard surfaced roads for short distances
at under 18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer
and operate the brakes. The vehicle’s
wheels, drive train, axles, steering and
brakes must be in good condition.
Towing with a wheel-lift type
truck
NOTICE
■Towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to pre-
vent body damage.
Using a flatbed truck
Emergency towing (vehicles
with a towing eyelet)

3637-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
To have your vehicle towed by another
vehicle, the towing eyelet must be
installed to your vehicle. Install the tow-
ing eyelet using the following proce-
dure.
1Take out the wheel nut wrench and
towing eyelet. ( P.380)
2 Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehicle
body as shown in the illustration.
3Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand. 4
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench
or hard metal bar.
5 Securely attach cables or chains to
the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
6Enter the vehicle being towed and
start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the
power switch to ON mode.
7Shift the shift lever to N and release
the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off. ( P.158)
When the shift lever cannot be shifted:
 P.153
■While towing
If the hybrid system is off, 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.380)
Emergency towing procedure
(vehicles with a towing eyelet)

3647-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air condi-
tioning 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 hybrid system
 Engine missing, stumbling or run-
ning 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 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

3657-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
■Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
■Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
■High coolant temperature warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
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, bu t then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(red)
(Canada)
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 driv e the vehicle may be dangerous.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in:
The regenerative braking system;
 The electronically controlled brake system; or
 The parking brake system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Handling method ( P.396)

3677-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
■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.

3707-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■RCTA OFF indicator (warning buzzer)
■RCD OFF indicator (warning buzzer)
■PKSB OFF indicator (warning buzzer)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(flashes)
(if equipped)
When a buzzer sounds:
Indicates a malfunction in the RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) function
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Indicates that the rear bumper around the radar sensor is covered with
dirt, etc. ( P.210)
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display.
(  P.223)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(flashes)
(if equipped)
When a buzzer sounds:
Indicates a malfunction in the RCD (Rear Camera Detection) function
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Indicates that the function temporarily cannot be used due to the cam-
era being dirty, etc.
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display.
(  P.228, 375)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(flashes)
(if equipped)
When a buzzer sounds:
Indicates a malfunction in the PK SB (Parking Support Brake) system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Indicates that the system is temporarily unavailable, possibly due to a
sensor being dirty or covered with ice, etc.
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-information display.
(  P.234, 375)