2022 LEXUS ES300h Owners Manual

1434-1. Before driving
4
DrivingWhen the following unusual operation
is performed with the accelerator
pedal depressed, the hybrid system
output may be restrained.
When the shift lever is shifted to R
*.
 When the shift lever is shifted from P
or R to forward drive shift position
such as D
*.
When the system operates, a message
appears on the multi-information dis-
play. Read the message and follow the
instruction.
*: Depending on the situation, the shift position may not be changed.
QDrive-Start Control (DSC)
OWhen the TRAC is turned off ( P.254),
sudden start restraint control also does
not operate. If your vehicle have trouble
escaping from the mud or fresh snow due
to sudden start restraint control opera-
tion, deactivate TRAC ( P.254) so that
the vehicle may become able to escape from the mud or fresh snow.
NOTICE
OChanges in quantity and quality of oil
and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
transmission, etc.
OLubricant condition for the bearings
and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bear-
ings, etc.
QWhen parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift
the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may
cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle
may accelerate suddenly if the accelera-
tor pedal is accidentally depressed.
Sudden start restraint control
(Drive-Start Control [DSC])

1444-1. Before driving
Cargo capacity depends on the total
weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capac-
ity)  (Total weight of occupants) Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit

(1) Locate the statement “The com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX
kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 − 750
(5  150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity calculated in Step
4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity of your vehicle.
(  P.146)Lexus does not recommend towing a
trailer with your vehicle. Your vehicle is not
designed for trailer towing.
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following infor-
mation about storage precautions,
cargo capacity and load:
WARNING
QThings that must not be carried in the
trunk
The following things may cause a fire if
loaded in the trunk:
OReceptacles containing gasoline
OAerosol cans
QStorage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals
from being depressed properly, may
block the driver’s vision, or may result in
items hitting the driver or passengers,
possibly causing an accident.
OStow cargo and luggage in the trunk
whenever possible.
ODo not place cargo or luggage in or on
the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the package tray
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
• In front of the Center Display
OSecure all items in the occupant com-
partment.
Capacity and distribution

1454-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity (vehicle capac-
ity weight) (P.402)
When 2 people with the combined
weight of A lb. (kg) are riding in your
vehicle, which has a total load capacity
(vehicle capacity weight) of B lb. (kg),
the available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity will be C lb. (kg) as
follows:
B
*2 lb. (kg) - A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb. (kg)
*1: A = Weight of people
*2: B = Total load capacity
*3: C = Available cargo and luggage load In this condition, if 3 more passengers with
the combined weight of D lb. (kg) get on,
the available cargo and luggage load will
be reduced E lb. (kg) as follows:
C lb. (kg) - D*4 lb. (kg) = E*5 lb. (kg)
*4: D = Additional weight of people
*5: E = Available cargo and luggage load
As shown in the example above, if the
number of occupants increases, the
cargo and luggage load will be
reduced by an amount that equals the
increased weight due to the additional
occupants. In other words, if an
increase in the number of occupants
causes an excess of the total load
capacity (combined weight of occu-
pants plus cargo and luggage load),
you must reduce the cargo and lug-
gage on your vehicle.
WARNING
QCapacity and distribution
ODo not exceed the maximum axle
weight rating or the total vehicle
weight rating.
OEven if the total load of occupant’s
weight and the cargo load is less than
the total load capacity, do not apply
the load unevenly. Improper loading
may cause deterioration of steering or
braking control which may cause
death or serious injury.
Calculation formula for your
vehicle
A
B

1464-1. Before driving
QTotal load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire
and loading information label. ( P.338)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total
load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capac-
ity.
 Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight): P.402
Total load capacity means the com-
bined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
 Seating capacity: P.402
Seating capacity means the maxi-
mum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb.
(68 kg) per person.
 Towing capacity
Lexus does not recommend towing
a trailer with your vehicle.
 Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or
decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
WARNING
QOverloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires,
but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident.
Trailer towing
Lexus does not recommend towing
a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus
also does not recommend the
installation of a tow hitch or the use
of a tow hitch carrier for a wheel-
chair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your
vehicle is not designed for trailer
towing or for the use of tow hitch
mounted carriers.

1474-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be
dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
QTo avoid serious damage to your vehi-
cle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four
wheels on the ground.

1484-2. Driving procedures
4-2 . D riving p roce dures
1Press the parking brake switch to
check that the parking brake is set.
( P.159)
Parking brake indicator will come on.
2 Check that the shift lever is in P.
3 Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system can-
not be started.
4 Press the power switch shortly and
firmly.
When operating the power switch, one
short, firm press is enough. It is not neces-
sary to press and hold the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on, the
hybrid system will operate normally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until
the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started from any
power switch mode.
5Check that the “READY” indicator
is illuminated.
The vehicle will not move when the
“READY” indicator is off.
QPower switch illumination
According to the situation, the power
switch illumination operates as follows.
OWhen a door is opened, or the power
switch mode is changed from ACCES-
SORY or ON mode to off, the power
switch illumination slowly blinks.
OWhen depressing the brake pedal with
carrying the electronic key on your per-
son, the power switch illumination rapidly
blinks.
OWhen the power switch is in ACCES-
SORY or ON mode, the power switch
illumination illuminates.
QIf the hybrid system does not start
OThe immobilizer system may not have
been deactivated. ( P.67)
Contact your Lexus dealer.
OIf a message related to start-up is shown
on the multi-information display, read the
message and follow the instructions.
OIf the door is unlocked with the mechani-
cal key, the hybrid system cannot be
started using the smart access system
with push-button start. Refer to P.390 to
start the hybrid system. However, if the
electronic key is carried inside the vehi-
cle and the doors are locked ( P.106),
the hybrid system can be started.
QWhen the ambient temperature is low,
such as during winter driving conditions
(for vehicles sold in except Canada)
OWhen starting the hybrid system, the
flashing time of the “READY” indicator
may be long. Leave the vehicle as it is
until the “READY” indicator is steady on,
as steady means the vehicle is able to
move.
OWhen the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is extremely cold (below approxi-
mately -22°F [-30°C]) under the
influence of the outside temperature, it
may not be possible to start the hybrid
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following opera-
tions when carrying the electronic
key on your person starts the hybrid
system or changes power switch
modes.
Starting the hybrid system

1494-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
system. In this case, try to start the hybrid
system again after the temperature of the
hybrid battery increases due to the out-
side temperature increase etc.
QSounds and vibrations specific to a
hybrid vehicle
 P.60
QIf the 12-volt battery is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started using
the smart access system with push-button
start. Refer to P.391 to restart the hybrid
system.
QElectronic key battery depletion
 P.100
QConditions affecting operation
 P.117
QNotes for the entry function
 P.117
QSteering lock function
OAfter turning the power switch off and
opening and closing the doors, the steer-
ing wheel will be locked due to the steer-
ing lock function. Operating the power
switch again automatically cancels the
steering lock.
OWhen the steering lock cannot be
released, “Push Power Switch while
Turning Steering Wheel in Either Direc-
tion” will be displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the power switch shortly and firmly while
turning the steering wh eel left and right.
OTo prevent the steering lock motor from
overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on
and off repeatedly in a short period of
time. In this case, refrain from operating
the power switch. After about 10 sec- onds, the steering lock motor will resume
functioning.
QIf there is a malfunction in the smart
access system with push-button start
If “Access System with Elec. Key Malfunc-
tion See Owner’s Manual” is displayed on
the multi-information display, the system
may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
QIf the “READY” indicator does not
come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator
does not come on even after performing
the proper procedures for starting the vehi-
cle, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
QIf the hybrid system is malfunctioning
 P.65
QElectronic key battery
 P.347
QOperation of the power switch
OIf the switch is not pressed shortly and
firmly, the power switch mode may not
change or the hybrid system may not
start.
OIf attempting to restart the hybrid system
immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start
in some cases. After turning the power
switch off, please wait a few seconds
before restarting the hybrid system.
QCustomization
If the smart access system with push-button
start has been deactivated in a customized
setting, refer to P.421.
WARNING
QWhen starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sit-
ting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress
the accelerator pedal while starting the
hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury.

1504-2. Driving procedures
1Stop the vehicle completely.
2 Set the parking brake ( P.159),
and shift the shift lever to P
(  P.155).
3 Press the power switch.
4 Release the brake pedal and check
that “ACCESSORY” or “IGNI-
TION ON” is not shown on the
meter.
QAutomatic hybrid system shut off fea-
ture
OThe vehicle is equipped with a feature
that automatically shuts off the hybrid sys-
tem when the shift lever is in P with the
hybrid system operating for an extended
period.
OThe hybrid system will automatically shut
off after approximately 1 hour if it has
been left running while the shift lever is in
P.
OThe timer for the automatic hybrid system
shut off feature will reset if the brake
pedal is depressed or if the shift lever is in
a position other than P.
OAfter the vehicle is parked, if the door is
locked with the door lock switch
( P.106) from the inside or the mechan-
ical key from the outside, the automatic
hybrid system shut off feature will be dis-
abled. The timer for the automatic hybrid
system shut off feature will be re-enabled
if the driver’s door is opened.
QLocking the door from outside with the
hybrid system operating
1 With the driver’s door open, pull the
driver’s door handle and insert the
mechanical key.
2 Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise.
3 Pull out the mechanical key and close
the door.
WARNING
QCaution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the
vehicle is moving, do not lock or open
the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe
and complete stop. Activation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may
lead to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury.
NOTICE
QWhen starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to
start, have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer immediately.
QSymptoms indicating a malfunction
with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operat-
ing somewhat differently than usual, such
as the switch sticking slightly, there may
be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus
dealer immediately.
Stopping the hybrid system