2022 LEXUS ES300h Owners Manual

1594-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
QUsing the manual mode
The parking brake can be set and
released manually.
U.S.A.
Canada
1 Push the switch to set the parking
brake
The parking brake indicator light will turn
on.
Press and hold the parking brake switch if
an emergency occurs and it is necessary to
operate the parking brake while driving.
2Pull the switch to release the park-
ing brake
• Operate the parking brake switch while
depressing the brake pedal.
• Using the parking brake automatic release function, the parking brake can
be released by depressing the accelera-
tor pedal. When using this function,
slowly depress the accelerator pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake indicator
light turn off.
QTurning the automatic mode on
While the vehicle is stopped, press and
hold the parking brake switch until a
message is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display
When the automatic mode is turned
on, the parking brake operates as fol-
lows.
 When the shift lever is shifted from
P, the parking brake will be
released, and the parking brake
indicator light will turn off.
 When the shift lever is shifted to P,
the parking brake will be set, and
the parking brake indicator light will
turn on.
Operate the shift lever with the vehicle
stopped and the brake pedal
depressed.
Parking brake
The parking brake can be set or
released automatically or manually.
In automatic mode, the parking
brake can be set or released auto-
matically according to shift lever
operation. Also, even in automatic
mode, the parking brake can be set
or released manually.
Operating instructions
A
B

1604-2. Driving procedures
QTurning the automatic mode off
While the vehicle is stopped, pull and
hold the parking brake switch until a
message is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display
QParking brake operation
OWhen the power switch is not in ON
mode, the parking brake cannot be
released using the parking brake switch.
OWhen the power switch is not in ON
mode, automatic mode (automatic brake
setting and releasing) is not available.
QParking brake automatic release func-
tion
OWhen the shift lever is shifted from P, the
parking brake will be released in auto-
matic mode.
OWhen all of the following conditions are
met in manual mode, the parking brake
can be released by depressing the accel-
erator pedal.
• The driver’s door is closed
• The driver is wearing the seat belt
• The shift lever is in D, S or R
QIf “Parking Brake Temporarily Unavail-
able” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly
over a short period of time, the system may
restrict operation to prevent overheating. If
this happens, refrain from operating the
parking brake. Normal operation will return
after about 1 minute.
QIf “Parking Brake Unavailable” or “EPB
Unavailable” is displayed on the multi-
information display
Operate the parking brake switch. If the
message does not disappear after operat-
ing the switch several times, the system may
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer.
QParking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor
sound (whirring sound) may be heard. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
QParking brake indicator light
ODepending on the power switch mode,
the parking brake indicator light will turn
on and stay on as described below:
ON mode: Comes on until the parking
brake is released.
Not in ON mode: Stays on for approxi-
mately 15 seconds.
OWhen the power switch is turned off with
the parking brake set, the parking brake
indicator light will stay on for about 15
seconds. This does not indicate a mal-
function.
QWhen the parking brake switch mal-
functions
Automatic mode (automatic brake setting
and releasing) will be turned on automati-
cally.
QParking the vehicle
 P.138
QParking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven
with the parking brake engaged. “EPB
Applied” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display (with the vehicle reached a
speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
QIf the brake system warning light comes
on
 P.364
QUsage in winter time
 P.260

1614-2. 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.
QBrake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turned on
in the following conditions:
OThe driver’s door is not closed.
OThe driver is not wearing the seat belt.
O“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
QWhen 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
QWhen 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.
QWhen the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
check the warning messages.
QWhen 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

1624-2. 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.
QBrake hold function
OIf 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.
OTo turn the system off while the system is
holding the brake, firmly depress the
brake pedal and press the button again.
OThe 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.
QWhen the parking brake is set automati-
cally while the system is holding the
brakes
Perform any of the following operations to
release the parking brake.
ODepress the accelerator pedal. (The
parking brake will not be released auto-
matically if the seat belt is not fastened.)
OOperate the parking brake switch with
the brake pedal depressed.
Make sure that the parking brake indicator
light goes off. ( P.159)
QWhen 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 malfunctioning. Have the
vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer.
QIf “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 malfunctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
QWarning messages 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.
QIf the brake hold operated indicator
flashes
 P.371
WARNING
QWhen the vehicle is on a steep incline
Take care when using the brake hold sys-
tem on a steep incline, exercise caution.
The brake hold function may not hold
brakes in such situations.
Also, the system may not activate
depending on the angle of the slope.
QWhen 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
QWhen 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.

1634-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
4-3.Op erating the lights and wipers
Operating the switch turns on
the lights as follows:U.S.A.
Canada
1 The side marker, parking
lights/daytime running lights
(  P.163), tail, license plate and
instrument panel lights turn on.
2 The headlights and all the
lights listed above (except daytime
running lights) turn on.
3 The headlights, parking
lights/daytime running lights (
 P.163) and all the lights listed
above turn on and off automatically.
4 (U.S.A.) Off
QAUTO mode can be used when
The power switch is in ON mode.
QDaytime running light system
OThe daytime running lights illuminate
using the same lights as the parking lights
and illuminate brighter than the parking
lights.
OTo make your vehicle more visible to
other drivers during daytime driving, the
daytime running lights turn on automati-
cally when all of the following conditions
are met. (The daytime running lights are
not designed for use at night.)
• The hybrid system is operating
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the or
* position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after
they illuminate, even if the parking brake is
set again.
OFor the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights
can be turned off by operating the head-
light switch to position.
OCompared to turning on the headlights,
the daytime running light system offers
greater durability and consumes less
electricity, so it can help improve fuel
economy.
QHeadlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detect-
ing the level of ambient light and may cause
the automatic headlight system to malfunc-
tion.
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated
manually or automatically.
Turning on the headlights
A
B

1644-3. Operating the lights and wipers
QAutomatic light off system
OWhen the headlights come on: The head-
lights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after the driver’s door is opened and
closed if the power switch is turned to
ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The
lights turn off immediately if on
the key is pressed after all the doors are
locked.)
OWhen only the tail lights come on: The tail
lights turn off automatically if the power
switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode
or turned off and the driver’s door is
opened.
For the U.S.A.: To turn the lights on again,
turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn
the light switch off once and then back to
or .
For Canada: To turn the lights on again, turn
the power switch to ON mode, or turn the
light switch to position once and then
back to or .
QLight reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is
turned off or turned to ACCESSORY
mode and the driver’s door is opened while
the lights are turned on.
QAutomatic headlight leveling system (if
equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically
adjusted according to the number of pas-
sengers and the loading condition of the
vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not
interfere with other road users.
QWindshield wiper linked headlight illu-
mination
When driving during daytime with the
headlight switch turned to , if the wind-
shield wipers are used, the headlights will
turn on automatically after several seconds
to help enhance the visibility of your vehicle.
Q12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the 12-volt battery of the
vehicle from discharging, if the headlights
and/or tail lights are on when the power
switch is turned off the 12-volt battery sav-
ing function will operate and automatically
turn off all the lights after approximately 20
minutes.
When the power switch is turned to ON
mode, the 12-volt battery-saving function
will be disabled.
When any of the following are performed,
the 12-volt battery-saving function is can-
celed once and then reactivated. All the
lights will turn off automatically 20 minutes
after the 12-volt battery-saving function has
been reactivated:
OWhen the headlight switch is operated
OWhen a door is opened or closed
QWelcome light illumination control
The parking lights, tail lights and license
plate lights automatically turn on at night
when the doors are unlocked using the
entry function or wireless remote control if
the light switch is in the position.
QIf “Headlight System Malfunction Visit
Your Dealer” is displayed
 P.377
QCustomization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be
changed.
(Customizable features:  P.421)

1654-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
1With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
2Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high beams
once.
You can flash the high beams with the
headlights on or off.
When any of the following conditions is
met, while the headlights (low beam)
are on, the cornering lights will addi-
tionally turn on and light up the direc-
tion of movement for the vehicle. This is
to ensure excellent visibility when
either driving at intersections or park-
ing at night.
The steering wheel is operated 
The turn signal lever is operated
 The shift position is in R (both left
and right side cornering lights)
QCornering light control
OThe lights illuminate when the vehicle
speed is approximately 19 mph (30
km/h) or less. However, the lights turn off
when the vehicle speed increases to
approximately 22 mph (35 km/h) or
more.
OAfter the lights remain illuminated for 30
minutes, they automatically turn off.
NOTICE
QTo prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than
necessary when the hybrid system is not
operating.
Turning on the high beam head-
lights
Cornering lights

1664-3. Operating the lights and wipers
1Press the Automatic High Beam
switch.
2 Turn the headlight switch to the
or position.
The Automatic High Beam indicator will come on when the system is operating.
QHigh beam automatic turning on or off
conditions
OWhen all of the following conditions are
met, the high beam will be automatically
turned on (after approximately 1 second):
• Vehicle speed is above approximately 21
mph (34 km/h) or more.
• The area ahead of the vehicle is dark.
• There are no vehicles ahead with head-
lights or tail lights turned on.
• There are few streetlights on the road ahead.
OIf any of the following conditions are met,
the high beam will be automatically
turned off:
• Vehicle speed drops below approxi- mately 17 mph (27 km/h).
• The area ahead of the vehicle is not dark.
• Vehicles ahead have headlights or tail lights turned on.
• There are many streetlights on the road ahead.
QFront camera detection information
OThe high beam may not be automatically
turned off in the following situations:
• When oncoming vehicles suddenly
appear from a curve
• When the vehicle is cut in front of by another vehicle
• When vehicles ahead are hidden from sight due to repeated curves, road divid-
ers or roadside trees
• When vehicles ahead appear from the faraway lane on wide road
• When vehicles ahead have no lights
OThe high beam may be turned off if a
vehicle ahead that is using fog lights with-
out using the headlights is detected.
AHB (Automatic High
Beam)
The Automatic High Beam uses an
in-vehicle front camera to assess
the brightness of streetlights, the
lights of vehicle ahead, etc., and
automatically turns the high beam
on or off as necessary.
WARNING
QLimitations of the Automatic High
Beam
Do not rely on the Automatic High
Beam. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings and turning
the high beam on or off manually if nec-
essary.
QTo prevent incorrect operation of the
Automatic High Beam system
Do not overload the vehicle.
Activating the Automatic High
Beam system