towing Lexus ES300h 2013 Owner's Manual

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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
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4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ..................... 180
Cargo and luggage...................... 191
Vehicle load limits ........................194
Trailer towing .................................195
Dinghy towing ...............................196
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (gasoline vehicles).................... 197
Power (ignition) switch (hybrid vehicles) ...................... 204
EV drive mode (hybrid vehicles) ......................... 211
Automatic transmission (gasoline vehicles)....................214
Hybrid transmission (hybrid vehicles) ........................ 217
Turn signal lever ............................ 221
Parking brake .............................. 222
Horn ................................................ 223
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .........................224
Automatic High Beam............. 228
Fog light switch ........................... 234
Windshield wipers and washer ................................ 235
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ..... 239 4-5. Using the driving support
systems
Cruise control ..............................244
Dynamic radar cruise control............................ 248
LDA (Lane Departure Alert)........ 263
Intuitive parking assist ................ 271
Rear view monitor system ..... 284
Driving mode select switch ........................................... 296
Driving assist systems .............. 298
Hill-start assist control (hybrid vehicles) ...................... 304
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ......... 306
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor).......313 • Blind Spot Monitor function ...................................... 317
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert function .................................... 320
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips (hybrid vehicles) ..................... 323
Winter driving tips ..................... 326
4Driving

18Pictorial index
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
■Instrument panel
“START STOP ENGINE” <“POWER”> switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 197, 204
Starting the engine /changing the modes . . . . . . P. 197, 204
Emergency stop of the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 741
When the engine will not start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 797, 799
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 777
Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 214, 217
Changing the shift position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 214, 217
Precautions against towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 743
When the shift lever does not move. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 801
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 93
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument panel light . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 93
Warning lights/indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 88
When the warning lights come on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 7511
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781-2. Hybrid system
ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
CAUTION
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious injury:
●Pull your vehicle off the road, apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, and
turn the hybrid system off.
●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 electric wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch the fluid as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte
from the hybrid battery (traction 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 solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicles, 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 dangerous.
●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 an electricity
leakage leading to a fire. (→P. 74 3 )
●Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has leaked
onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave the vehicle as
soon as possible.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Your vehicle contains a sealed nickel-metal hydride battery. If disposed of improp-
erly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe burns and elec-
trical shock that may result in death or serious injury.

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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ......................180
Cargo and luggage ..................... 191
Vehicle load limits ....................... 194
Trailer towing ................................. 195
Dinghy towing............................... 196
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (gasoline vehicles) ....................197
Power (ignition) switch (hybrid vehicles) ......................204
EV drive mode (hybrid vehicles) .........................211
Automatic transmission (gasoline vehicles) ................... 214
Hybrid transmission (hybrid vehicles) ....................... 217
Turn signal lever ........................... 221
Parking brake ............................... 222
Horn.................................................223 4-3. Operating the lights
and wipers
Headlight switch......................... 224
Automatic High Beam ............. 228
Fog light switch ........................... 234
Windshield wipers and washer................................. 235
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ..... 239
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Cruise control ............................. 244
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................ 248
LDA (Lane Departure Alert) ........ 263
Intuitive parking assist ................ 271
Rear view monitor system ..... 284
Driving mode select switch ........................................... 296
Driving assist systems...............298
Hill-start assist control (hybrid vehicles) ......................304
PCS (Pre-Collision System)..........306
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ...... 313 •Blind Spot Monitor function ......................................317
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert function ....................................320
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips (hybrid vehicles) ..................... 323
Winter driving tips ..................... 326

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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Cargo and luggage
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The combined 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
luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be trans- ferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
(→P. 1 9 4 )
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your vehicle is not
designed for trailer towing.
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions,
cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution

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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): →P. 8 2 4
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximu m 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.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label. ( →P. 7 0 3 )
Vehicle load limits incl ude total load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
CAUTION
■Overloading 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.

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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
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 wheelchair, sc ooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is
not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted car-
riers.

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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
2474-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON/OFF” button when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●During emergency towing

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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
CAUTION
■To avoid inadvertent cruise control activation
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON/OFF” button when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up and
down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●At entrances to expressways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors
from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
●When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
●During emergency towing