stop start Lexus ES300h 2015 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS6
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ................ 522
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior.................. 526
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ............................ 529
General maintenance.............. 532
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs .................................... 536
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions................................ 537
Hood .................................................541
Positioning a floor jack............. 542
Engine compartment ............... 545
12-volt battery (hybrid vehicles) ...................... 562
Tires.................................................. 566
Tire inflation pressure ................577
Wheels ...........................................580
Air conditioning filter ............... 582
Electronic key battery.............. 584
Checking and replacing fuses..............................................586
Light bulbs ....................................598 8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .................... 614
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency......615
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed.................................. 617
If you think something is wrong .................624
Fuel pump shut off system (gasoline vehicles) .................. 625
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds......626
If a warning message is displayed ................................ 636
If you have a flat tire .................. 659
If the engine will not start (gasoline vehicles) ................... 672
If the hybrid system will not start (hybrid vehicles)............. 674
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ...................... 676
If the electronic key does not operate properly ...................... 677
7Maintenance and care8When trouble arises

17Pictorial index
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 245
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 341
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
*1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 471
Precautions against car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 524
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 2 4 9
Refueling method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 249
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 704
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 566
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 712
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 341
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 566
Coping with flat tires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 659
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 541
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 5 4 1
Engine compartment cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 547
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 7 0 5
Coping with overheat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 688, 691
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 641
Headlights/parking lights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 233
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 244
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 230
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 233
Stop/tail lights
Hill-start assist control
*2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 319
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 233
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 222, 226
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 233
4
5
6
7
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 598, Watts: P. 714)
*1: If equipped
*2: Hybrid vehicles
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

18Pictorial index
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
■Instrument panel
“START STOP ENGINE” <“POWER”> switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 205, 212
Starting the engine /changing the modes . . . . . . P. 205, 212
Emergency stop of the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 615
When the engine will not start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 672, 674
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 652
Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 222, 226
Changing the shift position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 222, 226
Precautions against towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 617
When the shift lever does not move. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 676
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 97
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument panel light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 97
Warning lights/indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 92
When the warning lights come on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 6261
2
3

311-1. For safe use
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
1
For safety and security
Make sure that you can see backward clearly by adjusting the inside and
outside rear view mirrors properly. (→P. 171, 174)
Adjusting the mirrors
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not adjust the position of the driver’s seat while driving.
Doing so could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
●Do not place a cushion between the driver or passenger and the seatback.
A cushion may prevent correct posture from being achieved, and reduce the
effectiveness of the seat belt and head restraint.
●Do not place anything under the front seats.
Objects placed under the front seats may become jammed in the seat tracks and
stop the seat from locking in place. This may lead to an accident and the adjust-
ment mechanism may also be damaged.
●When driving over long distances, take regular breaks before you start to feel
tired.
Also, if you feel tired or sleepy while driving, do not force yourself to continue
driving and take a break immediately.

741-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
◆When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped. During start off,
the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehicle. At slow speeds or
when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine is stopped and the elec-
tric motor (traction motor) is used.
◆During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor (traction
motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction battery) as necessary.
◆When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is added to that of the gasoline engine
via the electric motor (traction motor).
◆When braking (regenerative braking)
The electric motor (traction motor) charges the hybrid battery (traction
battery).
When driving with the gasoline engine stopped, a sound, which changes
in accordance with the driving speed, will be played in order to warn peo-
ple nearby of the vehicle’s approach. The sound will stop when the vehicle
speed exceeds approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).
Vehicle proximity notification system

751-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
1
For safety and security
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and decel-
eration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift position in D or S.
●The brake pedal is depressed while driving with the shift position in D or S.
■EV indicator
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop auto-
matically in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
●When the heater is switched on
■Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
●As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if the vehicle is left
parked for a long time the hybrid battery will slowly discharge. For this reason, be
sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or
10 miles (16 km). If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and you are unable
to jump-start the vehicle with the 12-volt battery, contact your Lexus dealer.
●If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged.
Always put the shift lever in P when the vehicle is stopped. When driving in heavy
traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift lever in D or S to avoid discharging the bat-
tery.
■Charging the 12-volt battery
→P. 6 8 6
The EV indicator comes on when driving the
vehicle using only the electric motor (traction
motor).

761-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
■After the 12-volt battery has discharged or has been changed or removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid battery
(traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicles
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able to move.
For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift position to P when
parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is operating
and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind the rear
seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
●Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the trunk lid is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid transmission when the hybrid system starts
or stops.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is
depressed.
●Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent on rear left seat.
■Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity notification system may be difficult for
surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification system is installed on the front of the vehi-
cle, it may be more difficult to hear from the rear of the vehicle compared to the
front.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Lexus dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and disposal.
Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the EV indicator) can be changed.
(Customizable features: → P. 7 3 0 )

781-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
There is an air intake vent beside the
rear left seat for the purpose of
cooling the hybrid battery (traction
battery). If the vent becomes
blocked, the hybrid battery may
overheat, leading to a reduction in
hybrid battery output.
When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the emer-
gency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current and stops the fuel
pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If the emer-
gency shut off system activates, your vehicle will not restart. To restart the
hybrid system, contact your Lexus dealer.
A message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs in the
hybrid system or an improper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on
the multi-information display, read
the message and follow the instruc-
tions.
( →P. 6 3 6 )
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air vent
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message

841-3. Theft deterrent system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
Engine immobilizer system (gasoline vehicles)
The indicator light flashes after the
“START STOP ENGINE” switch
has been turned off to indicate that
the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing
after the “START STOP ENGINE”
switch has been turned to
ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON
mode to indicate that the system has
been canceled.
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type engine immobilizer system.
■Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
●If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic object
●If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key to the security system (key with a
built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle
The vehicle’s keys have built-in transponder chips that prevent the
engine from starting if a key has no t been previously registered in the
vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
This system is designed to help pr event vehicle theft but does not guar-
antee absolute security agai nst all vehicle thefts.

861-3. Theft deterrent system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
Immobilizer system (hybrid vehicles)
The indicator light flashes after the
“POWER” switch has been turned
off to indicate that the system is
operating.
The indicator light stops flashing
after the “POWER” switch has been
turned to ACCESSORY or ON
mode to indicate that the system has
been canceled.
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type immobilizer system.
■Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
●If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic object
●If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key to the security system (key with a
built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle
The vehicle’s keys have built-in transponder chips that prevent the
hybrid system from starting if a ke y has not been previously registered
in the vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
This system is designed to help pr event vehicle theft but does not guar-
antee absolute security agai nst all vehicle thefts.