Lexus ES300h 2015 Owner's Manual

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4-2. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accel-
erator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the doors
until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in
this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and
hold the “START STOP ENGINE” switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succession. (→P. 6 1 5 )
However, do not touch the “START STOP ENGINE” switch while driving except in
an emergency. 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.

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4
Driving
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Do not leave the “START STOP ENGINE” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of time without the engine running.
●If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-information display, the “START STOP
ENGINE” switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the “START STOP
ENGINE” switch off.
●Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the “START STOP ENGINE”
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 engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the “START STOP ENGINE” switch
If the “START STOP ENGINE” 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
Power (ignition) switch (hybrid vehicles)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the “POWER” switch.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the hybrid system is completely
started.
The hybrid system can be started from
any “POWER” switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indica-
tor is on.
The vehicle will not move when the
“READY” indicator is off.
Performing the fol lowing operations when ca rrying the electronic key
on your person starts the hybrid system or changes “POWER” switch
modes.
Starting the hybrid system
1
2
3
4
5

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Driving
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (→P. 231)
Press the “POWER” switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “POWER ON” on the multi-
information display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the “POWER” switch with brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be used.
The multi-information display will not
be displayed.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such as
the audio system can be used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“POWER ON” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the hybrid system, the “POWER” switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the hybrid system
Changing “POWER” switch modes
1
2
3
4
5

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4-2. Driving procedures
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the “POWER” switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the switch
off:Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” are displayed alter-
nately on the multi-information display and then press the “POWER”
switch once.
Check that “POWER ON” and “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-infor-
mation display are off.
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a position
other than P
1
2
3
4

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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. 76
■Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 1 3 8
■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 4
■Notes for the entry function
→P. 1 3 5
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→ P. 8 6 )
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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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. 6 3 7
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 5 8 4
■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. 6 7 7
“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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Driving
■Odometer and trip meter display
When the “POWER” switch is turned off, the odometer or trip meter display will
extinguish after approximately 30 seconds.
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering
lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious
injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the “POWER” switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly 3
times or more in succession. (→P. 6 1 5 )
However, do not touch the “POWER” switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it
more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.

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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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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. 114)
●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.