2021 LEXUS ES300h stop start

1484-2. Driving procedures
Modes can be changed by pressing
the power switch with the brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each
time the switch is pressed.)
1Off
*
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.
3ON mode
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the
meter.
WARNING
■Stopping the hybrid system in an
emergency
●If you want to stop the hybrid system in
an emergency while driving the vehi-
cle, press and hold the power switch
for more than 2 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succession.
( P.358)
However, do not touch the power
switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off
while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, however,
power assist to the steering will be lost.
This will make it more difficult to steer
smoothly, so you should pull over and
stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so.
●If the power 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 hybrid system
after an emergency shutdown, shift the
shift lever to N and press the power
switch shortly and firmly.
■When parking
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases
to enter the vehicle and may lead to an
accident caused by light-headedness, or
may lead to death or a serious health
hazard.
●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 operating 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 oper-
ating in an area with snow build-up, or
where it is snowing. If snowbanks build
up around the vehicle while the hybrid
system is operating, exhaust gases
may collect and enter the vehicle.
Changing power switch modes

1534-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
While the power switch is in ON mode and the brake pedal depressed*,
shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release button on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release button on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever normally.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is completely
stopped and the brake pedal is depressed.
*: For the vehicle be able to be shifted from P, the brake pedal must be depressed before the shift release button is pushed. If the shift release button is pushed first, the shift lock
will not be released.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent
accidental operation of the shift lever in
starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only
when the power switch is in ON mode the
brake pedal is depressed and the shift
release button is pushed.■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is
being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted even
though the brake pedal is depressed and
the shift release button is pushed, there may
be a problem with th e shift lock system.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an
Shifting the shift lever

1594-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Turns the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator (green) comes on. While the system is holding
the brake, the brake hold operated indica-
tor (yellow) comes on.
■Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turned on
in the following conditions:
●The driver’s door is not closed.
●The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
●“Parking Brake Unavailable” or “EPB
Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” is dis-
played on the multi-information display.
If any of the conditions above are detected
when the brake hold system is enabled, the
system will turn off and the brake hold
standby indicator light will go off. In addi-
WARNING
■When parking the vehicle
Do not leave a child in the vehicle alone.
The parking brake may be released unin-
tentionally and there is the danger of the
vehicle moving that may lead to an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, shift the
shift lever to P, set the parking brake and
make sure that the vehicle does not
move.
■When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
check the warning messages.
■When the parking brake cannot be
released due to a malfunction
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking
performance and increase brake wear.
Have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer immediately if this occurs.
Brake Hold
The brake hold system keeps the
brake applied when the shift lever is
in D, S or N with the system on and
the brake pedal has been
depressed to stop the vehicle. The
system releases the brake when the
accelerator pedal is depressed with
the shift lever in D or S to allow
smooth start off.
Enabling the system
A
B

1604-2. Driving procedures
tion, if any of the conditions are detected
while the system is holding the brake, a
warning buzzer will sound and a message
will be shown on the multi-information dis-
play. The parking brake will then be set
automatically.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released for a
period of about 3 minutes after the sys-
tem has started holding the brake, the
parking brake will be set automatically. In
this case, a warning buzzer sounds and a
message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●To turn the system off while the system is
holding the brake, firmly depress the
brake pedal and press the button again.
●The brake hold function may not hold the
vehicle when the vehicle is on a steep
incline. In this situation, it may be neces-
sary for the driver to apply the brakes. A
warning buzzer will sound and the multi-
information display will inform the driver
of this situation. If a warning message is
shown on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the instruc-
tions.
■When the parking brake is set automati-
cally while the system is holding the
brakes
Perform any of the follo wing operations to
release the parking brake.
●Depress the accelerator pedal. (The
parking brake will not be released auto-
matically if the seat belt is not fastened.)
●Operate the parking brake switch with
the brake pedal depressed.
Make sure that the pa rking brake indicator
light goes off. ( P.157)
■When an inspection at your Lexus
dealer is necessary
When the brake hold standby indicator
(green) does not illuminate even when the
brake hold switch is pressed with the brake
hold system operating conditions met, the
system may be malfun ctioning. Have the
vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer.
■If “Brake Hold Fault Depress Brake to
Deactivate Visit Your Dealer” or
“Brake Hold Malfunction Visit Your
Dealer” is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The system may be ma lfunctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Warning message and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to
indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution. If a warn-
ing message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, read the message and follow
the instructions.
■If the brake hold operated indicator
flashes
 P.372
WARNING
■When the vehicle is on a steep incline
When using the brake hold system on a
steep incline exercise caution. The brake
hold function may not hold the vehicle in
such a situation.
■When stopped on a slippery road
The system cannot stop the vehicle when
the gripping ability of the tires has been
exceeded. Do not use the system when
stopped on a slippery road.
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
The brake hold system is not designed
for use when parking the vehicle for a
long period of time. Turning the power
switch off while the system is holding the
brake may release the brake, which
would cause the vehicle to move. When
operating the power switch, depress the
brake pedal, shift the shift lever to P and
set the parking brake.

2014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
This mode employs a radar to detect the presence of vehicles up to approximately
328 ft. (100 m) ahead, determines the cu rrent vehicle-to-vehicle following dis-
tance, and operates to maintain a suitab le following distance from the vehicle
ahead. The desired vehicle-to-vehicle distance can also be set by operating the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance switch.
When driving on downhill slopes, the vehicl e-to-vehicle distance may become shorter.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver.
Example of deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically decelerates
your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, the system applies
the brakes (the stop lights will come on at this time). The system will respond to changes in
the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by
the driver. Approach warning warns you when th e system cannot decelerate sufficiently to
prevent your vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your vehi cle will also stop (vehicle is stopped by sys-
tem control). After the vehicle ahead starts off, pressing the “+RES” switch or depressing
the accelerator pedal (start-off operation) will resume follow-up cruising. If the start-off
operation is not performed, system contro l continues to keep your vehicle stopped.
When the turn signal lever is operated and yo ur vehicle moves to an overtaking lane while
driving at 50 mph (80 km/h) or more, the vehicle will accelerate to help to overtake a
passing vehicle.
The system’s identification of what is an over taking lane may be determined solely based on
the location of the steering wheel in the vehicl e (left side driver position versus right side
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
A
B

2044-5. Using the driving support systems
After the vehicle ahead of you starts
off, press the “+RES” switch.
Your vehicle will also resume follow-
up cruising if the accelerator pedal is
depressed after the vehicle ahead of
you starts off.1
Pressing the cancel switch cancels
the speed control.
The speed control is also canceled when
the brake pedal is depressed.
(When the vehicle has been stopped by
system control, depressing the brake pedal
does not cancel the setting.)
2Pressing the “+RES” switch
resumes the cruise control and
returns vehicle speed to the set
speed.
When your vehicle is too close to a
vehicle ahead, and sufficient automatic
deceleration via the cruise control is
not possible, the display will flash and
the buzzer will sound to alert the
driver. An example of this would be if
another driver cuts in front of you while
you are following a vehicle. Depress
the brake pedal to ensure an appropri-
ate vehicle-to-vehicle distance.
Distance optionsVehicle-to-vehicle distance
LongApproximately 160 ft. (50 m)
MediumApproximately 130 ft. (40 m)
ShortApproximately 100 ft. (30 m)
Resuming follow-up cruising
when the vehicle has been
stopped by system control (vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance control
mode)
Canceling and resuming the
speed control
Approach warning (vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode)

2064-5. Using the driving support systems
ing at below approximately 20 mph [30
km/h], the set speed will be set to
approximately 20 mph [30 km/h].)
■Accelerating after setting the vehicle
speed
The vehicle can accelerate by operating the
accelerator pedal. After accelerating, the
set speed resumes. However, during vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the
vehicle speed may decrease below the set
speed in order to maintain the distance to
the preceding vehicle.
■When the vehicle stops while follow-up
cruising
●Pressing the “+RES” switch while the
vehicle ahead stops will resume follow-
up cruising if the vehicle ahead starts off
within approximately 3 seconds after the
switch is pressed.
●If the vehicle ahead starts off within 3 sec-
onds after your vehicle stops, follow-up
cruising will be resumed.
■Automatic cancelation of vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode
Vehicle-to-vehicle dist ance control mode is
automatically canceled in the following situ-
ations.
●VSC is activated.
●TRAC is activated for a period of time.
●When the VSC or TRAC system is
turned off.
●The sensor cannot detect correctly
because it is covered in some way.
●Pre-collision braking is activated.
●The parking brake is operated.
●The vehicle is stopped by system control
on a steep incline.
●The following are detected when the
vehicle has been stopped by system con-
trol:
• The driver is not wearing a seat belt.
• The driver’s door is opened.
• The vehicle has been stopped for about 3 minutes
If vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
is automatically canceled for any reasons
other than the above, there may be a mal- function in the system. Contact your Lexus
dealer.
■Automatic cancelation of constant
speed control mode
Constant speed control mode is automati-
cally canceled in the following situations:
●Actual vehicle speed is more than
approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) below
the set vehicle speed.
●Actual vehicle speed falls below approxi-
mately 20 mph (30 km/h).
●VSC is activated.
●TRAC is activated for a period of time.
●When the VSC or TRAC system is
turned off.
●Pre-collision braking is activated.
If constant speed control mode is automati-
cally canceled for any reasons other than
the above, there may be a malfunction in
the system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Brake operation
A brake operation sound may be heard and
the brake pedal response may change, but
these are not malfunctions.
■Warning messages and buzzers for
dynamic radar cruise control with full-
speed range
Warning messages and buzzers are used to
indicate a system malfunction or to inform
the driver of the need for caution while driv-
ing. If a warning messa ge is shown on the
multi-information displa y, read the message
and follow the instructions. ( P.178, 375)
■When the sensor may not be correctly
detecting the vehicle ahead
In the case of the fo llowing and depending
on the conditions, operate the brake pedal
when deceleration of the system is insuffi-
cient or operate the accelerator pedal
when acceleration is required.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly
detect these types of vehicles, the approach
warning ( P.204) may not be activated.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving in the same

2124-5. Using the driving support systems
*2: The greater the difference in speed between your vehicle and the detected vehicle is, the farther away the vehicle will be detected, causing the outside rear view mirror indi-
cator to illuminate or flash.
■The Blind Spot Monitor is operational
when
The Blind Spot Monitor is operational when
all of the following conditions are met:
●The Blind Spot Monitor is on.
●The shift lever is in a position other than R.
●The vehicle speed is greater than
approximately 10 mph (16 km/h).
■The Blind Spot Monitor will detect a
vehicle when
The Blind Spot Monitor will detect a vehicle
present in the detection area in the follow-
ing situations:
●A vehicle in an adj acent lane overtakes
your vehicle.
●You overtake a vehicle in adjacent lane
slowly.
●Another vehicle enters the detection
area when it changes lanes.
■Conditions under wh ich the Blind Spot
Monitor will not detect a vehicle
The Blind Spot Monitor is not designed to
detect the following types of vehicles
and/or objects:
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians,
etc.*
●Vehicles traveling in the opposite direc-
tion
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles
and similar stationary objects*
●Following vehicles th at are in the same
lane*
●Vehicles traveling 2 lanes away from
your vehicle*
●Vehicles which are being overtaken rap-
idly by your vehicle.*
*
: Depending on the conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■Conditions under which the Blind Spot
Monitor may not function correctly
●The Blind Spot Monitor may not detect
vehicles correctly in the following situa-
tions:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a
strong impact to the sensor or its sur-
rounding area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is
covering the sensor or surrounding area
on the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is
wet with standing water during bad
weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When multiple vehicles are approaching
with only a small gap between each vehi-
cle
• When the distance between your vehicle
and a following vehicle is short
• When there is a significant difference in speed between your vehicle and the
vehicle that enters the detection area
• When the difference in speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is
changing
• When a vehicle enters a detection area traveling at about the same speed as your
vehicle
• As your vehicle starts from a stop, a vehi- cle remains in the detection area
• When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips in the
road, etc.
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven surfaces
• When vehicle lanes are wide, or when
driving on the edge of a lane, and the
vehicle in an adjacent lane is far away
from your vehicle
• When an accessory (such as a bicycle carrier) or towing eyelet is installed to the
rear of the vehicle
• When there is a significant difference in
height between your vehicle and the
vehicle that enters the detection area
• Immediately after the Blind Spot Monitor
is turned on
●Instances of the Blind Spot Monitor
unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/or