Battery Lexus ES300h 2014 Owner's Guide

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4-2. Driving procedures
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended if
the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this
case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. After about 10 seconds, the steering
lock motor will resume functioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” is displayed on the multi-information
display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the “POWER” switch
with the shift lever in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→P. 7 7 0
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 7 1 9
■Operation of the “POWER” switch
●When operating the “POWER” switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the switch
is pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the “POWER” switch
mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
●If 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 sys-
tem.
■If the smart access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a cus-
tomized setting
→P. 8 1 0
“Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
“POWER” switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right.

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4-2. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.
●If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-information display, the “POWER”
switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the “POWER” switch off.
●Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If
the hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the “POWER” switch
will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle
is left in ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the hybrid system
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
●If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the “POWER” switch
If the “POWER” switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Lexus
dealer immediately.

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4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
EV drive mode (hybrid vehicles)
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
“EV MODE” will be displayed on the
multi-information display. Pressing the
switch when in EV drive mode will
return the vehicle to normal driving
(using the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situations. If it cannot
be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 68 °F (20 °C) for a long
period of time etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming up.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” screen or the multi-
information display is low. ( →P. 112)
●Vehicle speed is about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
In EV drive mode the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in re sidential areas early in the morning
and late at night, or in indoor pa rking lots etc. without concern for
noises and gas emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity notification system is active, the
vehicle may produce sound.

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4-2. Driving procedures
■Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline engine
will start automatically in order to warm up. In this case, you will become unable to
switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illuminated,
press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to switch to EV
drive mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart in the
following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will sound and the
EV indicator will flash 3 times and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” screen or the multi-
information display is low. ( →P. 112)
●Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a prior
notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
■Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters to
approximately 1.3 mile (2 km). Driving is possible at speeds of less than approxi-
mately 25 mph (40 km/h). However, depending on vehicle conditions, there are sit-
uations when EV drive mode cannot be used.
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level
and driving conditions.)
■Fuel economy
Your Lexus is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during normal
driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]). Driving in EV
drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.

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4-2. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting
in an accident.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged
even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever
in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge,
and this may result in the vehicle not being able to start.

ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
2314-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the “START STOP ENGINE” <“POWER”> switch is turned
off or turned to ACCESSORY mode and the driver’s door is opened while the lights
are turned on.
■Automatic 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.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: → P. 8 6 2 )
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not running
.

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3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■When the message is displayed on the multi-information display showing that
TRAC has been disabled even if the VSC OFF switch has not been pressed
TRAC and hill-start assist control (hybrid vehicles) cannot be operated. Contact
your Lexus dealer.
■When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
The steering wheel may move from its straight forward position, but this will be cor-
rected automatically when driving.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC and TRAC systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating.
None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated (gasoline vehi-cles).
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated (gasoline vehicles).
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turing the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automatically re-
enabled in the following situations:
●When the “START STOP ENGINE” <“POWER”> switch is turned off
●If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed
increases.
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will not
occur when vehicle speed increases.

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4-6. Driving tips
Winter driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside temperatures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Power control unit coolant (hybrid vehicles)
•Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt battery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the specified size and brand, and that chains match the
size of the tires.
Carry out the necessary preparatio ns and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate
to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter

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5-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
NOTICE
■Humidity sensor (if equipped)
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
engine is off.
In order to detect fog on the windshield, a
sensor which monitors the temperature of
the windshield, the surround humidity, etc. is
installed. ( →P. 3 6 1 )
Follow these points to avoid damaging the
sensor:
●Do not disassemble the sensor
●Do not spray the glass cleaner on the sen-
sor or subject it to strong impacts
●Do not stick anything on the sensor

ES350_300h_OM_OM33A60U_(U)
3775-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
NOTICE
■Humidity sensor (if equipped)
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
engine is off.
In order to detect fog on the windshield, a
sensor which monitors the temperature of
the windshield, the surround humidity, etc. is
installed. ( →P. 3 74 )
Follow these points to avoid damaging the
sensor:
●Do not disassemble the sensor
●Do not spray the glass cleaner on the sen-
sor or subject it to strong impacts
●Do not stick anything on the sensor