Tire Lexus ES300h 2013 User Guide

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
1814-1. Before driving
4
Driving
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Shift the shift lever to P. (→P. 214, 217)
Set the parking brake. (→ P. 222)
Press the “START STOP ENGINE” <“POWER”> switch to stop the
engine .
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on your
person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■When starting off on a uphill (hybrid vehicles)
The hill-start assist control is available. ( →P. 3 0 4 )
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows
may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially
slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because there
may be a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing the
steering and brakes from operating properly.
■Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine spee d may become high while driving. This is
due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to meet driv-
ing conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
●The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
●When the accelerator pedal is released
●When sport mode is selected ( →P. 296)
Pa r k i n g t h e ve h i c l e
Starting off on a steep uphill
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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
●During normal driving, do not turn off the engine . Turning the
engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking
control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more
difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as
it is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop
the vehicle in the normal way: →P. 74 1
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. ( →P. 2 1 5 , 2 1 8 )
●Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehicle.
●Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shift changing, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be affected.
■When shifting the shift lever
●Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is in a driving position, or
roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Gasoline vehicles: Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake
and steering performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
Hybrid vehicles: Doing so may result in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
●Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Gasoline vehicles: Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will dis-
engage the engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N
is selected.
Hybrid vehicles: Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disen-
gage the hybrid system. Engine braking is not available when N is selected.
●Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. Shift-
ing the shift lever to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected rapid accel-
eration of the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in death or serious
injury.

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
1894-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving,
as this may restrain driving torque.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at
the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( →P. 7 8 4 )

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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)
4-2. Driving procedures
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION
ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P,
the “START STOP ENGINE” switch will automatically turn off. However, this func-
tion cannot entirely prevent 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with
the “START STOP ENGINE” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for
long periods of time when the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 1 3 4
■Conditions affecting operation
→P. 1 3 0
■Notes for the entry function
→P. 1 3 1
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 8 0 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift
lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P position to Start” will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
■Steering lock
After turning the “START STOP ENGINE” switch off and opening and closing the
doors, the steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating
the “START STOP ENGINE” switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON mode
(the hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the
“POWER” switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely
prevent 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the “POWER”
switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of time when the hybrid sys-
tem is not operating.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicles
→ P. 7 3
■Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 1 3 4
■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving conditions
It may take time until the “READY” indicator comes on.
■Conditions affecting operation
→P. 1 3 0
■Notes for the entry function
→P. 1 3 1
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→ P. 8 2 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The hybrid system may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P position when starting” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
■Steering lock
After turning the “POWER” switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steer-
ing wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the “POWER”
switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.

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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
●In the situations below, the system may not be able to correctly detect the sur-
rounding brightness levels, and may flash or expose nearby pedestrians to the high
beam. Therefore, you should consider turning the high beams on or off manually
rather than relying on the Automatic High Beam system.
• In bad weather (rain, snow, fog, sandstorms etc.)
• The windshield is obscured by fog, mist, ice, dirt etc.
• The windshield is cracked or damaged.
• The camera sensor is deformed or dirty.
• Surrounding brightness levels are equal to those of headlights, tail lights or foglights.
• Vehicles ahead have headlights or tail lights that are either switched off, dirty, are changing color, or are not aimed properly.
• When driving through an area of intermittently changing brightness and dark- ness.
• When frequently and repeatedly driving ascending/descending roads, or roads with rough, bumpy or uneven surfaces (such as stone-paved roads, gravel tracks
etc.).
• When frequently and repeatedly taking curves or driving on a winding road.
• There is a highly reflective object ahead of the vehicle, such as a sign or a mirror.
• The vehicle’s headlights are damaged or dirty, or are not aimed properly.
• The vehicle is listing or titling, due to a flat tire, a trailer being towed etc.
• The driver believes that the high beam may be causing problems or distress to other drivers or pedestrians nearby.
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.
Turn the “START STOP ENGINE” <“POWER”> switch off while the following
conditions are met.
• The headlight switch is in or .
• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on.
Turn the “START STOP ENGINE” <“POWER”> switch to IGNITION ON
mode.
Within 5 seconds after , repeat pulling the headlight switch lever to the origi-
nal position then pushing it to the high beam position quickly 9 times, then leave
the lever in high beam position.
Automatic High Beam (headlights) may turn on even the vehicle is stopped.
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ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Temporary cancelation of the LDA system
When the lane departure warning function is activated. The lane departure warning
function will not operate again for a several seconds after it has been activated, even
if the vehicle leaves the lane again.
■The lane departure warning
It may be difficult to feel the sensory warning depending on the road conditions.
■After the vehicle has been parked in the sun
The LDA system may not be available and a warning message (→P. 771) will be dis-
played for a while after driving has started. When the temperature in the cabin
decreases and the temperature around the camera sensor ( →P. 263) becomes suit-
able for its operation, the functions will begin to operate.
■Conditions in which the function may not operate correctly
In the following conditions, the LDA system may not operate, or it may not be possi-
ble to ensure adequate performance. Also, the camera sensor may be unable to rec-
ognize lane markers causing the lane departure warning function to operate
incorrectly. However, this does not indicate a malfunction.
●When driving through an area with no lane markers, such as a tollbooth, a crossing
or before a ticket checkpoint
●When driving on a sharp curve
●When lane markers are extremely narrow or extremely wide
●When the vehicle leans to one side an unusual amount due to a heavy load or
improper tire inflation pressure
●When the following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is
extremely short
●When the lane markers are yellow (These may be more difficult for the system to
recognize compared to white markers.)
●When the lane markers are broken, “Botts’ dots”, “Raised pavement marker” or
stones
●When the lane markers are on a curb etc.
●When lane markers are obscured or partially obscured by sand, dirt, etc.
●When there are shadows on the road running parallel with lane markers, or if a
shadow covers the lane markers
●When driving on a particularly bright road surface, such as concrete
●When driving on a road surface that is bright due to reflected light
●When driving in a location where the light level changes rapidly, such as the
entrance to or exit from a tunnel

ES350 300h_OM_OM33A01U_(U)
2674-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
●When sunlight or the headlights of oncoming vehicles are shining directly into the
camera lens
●When driving on roads that are branching or merging
●When driving on a road surface that is wet due to rain, previous rainfall, standing
water, etc.
●When the vehicle experiences strong up-and-down motion such as when driving
on an extremely rough road or on a seam in the pavement
●When headlight brightness at nighttime is reduced due to dirt on the lenses, or
when the headlights are misaligned
●When driving on winding roads or roads that are uneven
●When driving on rough or unpaved roads
■When changing the tires
Depending on the tires used, sufficient performance may not be maintainable.
■Warning messages for LDA system
Warning messages are used to indicate a system malfunction or to inform the driver
of the need for caution while driving. ( →P. 764, 771)