heating Lexus ES300h 2015 Owner's Manual

831-2. Hybrid system
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
1
For safety and security
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery air vent
●Do not put foreign objects near the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction battery)
may overheat and be damaged.
●Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery) from
overheating.
●Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vent as this may cause a
short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).
●Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the vehicle. If
water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may be dam-
aged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
1012. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
■ECO lamp and SPORT lamp
●When sport mode is selected, SPORT lamp (red) will illuminate.
●When all of the following conditions are satisfied and Eco-friendly driving, ECO
lamp (blue) will illuminate. (ECO lamp will become brighter the more Eco-friendly
driving you perform. Also, while the vehicle is stopped or the acceleration exceeds
Zone of Eco driving, ECO lamp turns off. (→P. 1 0 9 ) H o w e v e r, w h e n E c o d r i v e
mode is selected, while the vehicle is stopped or the acceleration exceeds Zone of
Eco driving, ECO lamp does not turn off.):
• Driving with the shift lever in D
• Either normal mode or Eco drive mode is selected.
• The vehicle speed is approximately 80 mph (130 km/h) or below.
■Tachometer (hybrid vehicles)
Hybrid System Indicator automatically switches to the tachometer when driving
mode is in sport mode.
■Engine speed (hybrid vehicles)
Engine speed is precisely controlled in order to help improve fuel efficiency and
reduce exhaust emissions etc.
There are times when the engine speed that is displayed may differ even when vehi-
cle operation and driving conditions are the same.
■Odometer and trip meter display
→ P. 209, 217
■Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of ECO lamp) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 7 3 0 )
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the
red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check
the engine after it has cooled completely. ( →P. 688, 691)

196
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move
the shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a
poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
■When braking
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause one side
of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the brake booster (gasoline vehicles) or brake actuator (hybrid vehicles) does
not operate, do not follow other vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that
require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.
●Gasoline vehicles only: Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
●Gasoline vehicles: The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if
one of the systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Hybrid vehicles: The brake system consists of 2 or more individual hydraulic sys-
tems; if one of the systems fails, the other(s) will still operate. In this case, the brake
pedal should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■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 engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine. 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 electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 5 8 4
■Operation of the “START STOP ENGINE” switch
●When operating the “START STOP ENGINE” switch, one short, firm press is
enough. If the switch is pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the “START
STOP ENGINE” switch mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and
hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the “START STOP
ENGINE” switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the
“START STOP ENGINE” switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting
the engine.
■If the smart access system with push-button start has been deactivated in a cus-
tomized setting
→P. 6 7 7
■Odometer and trip meter display
When the “START STOP ENGINE” switch is turned off, the odometer or trip meter
display will extinguish after approximately 30 seconds. “Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press the
“START STOP ENGINE” switch while turning
the steering wheel left and right.

216
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
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.

231
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Pa rk in g b ra ke
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depressing
the brake pedal with your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
■Usage in winter time
→P. 3 4 2
U.S.A. Canada
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components over-
heating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake wear.

312
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the air
conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency (→P. 474). To improve air condition-
ing performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the “START STOP ENGINE”
<“POWER”> switch is turned off after driving in sport mode.

338
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
4-6. Driving tips
Hybrid vehicle driving tips (hybrid vehicles)
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accelerator
pedal depression amount can be generated more smoothly than it is in
normal conditions. In addition, the operation of the air conditioning system
(heating/cooling) will be minimized, improving the fuel economy.
(→P. 311)
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the indicate of Hybrid Sys-
tem Indicator within Eco area. ( →P. 1 0 0 )
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and in good time. A greater
amount of electrical energy can be retained when slowing down.
Repeated acceleration and deceleration, as well as long waits at traffic
lights, will lead to bad fuel consumption. Check traffic reports before leav-
ing and avoid delays as much as possible. When encountering a delay,
gently release the brake pedal to allow the vehicle to move forward
slightly while avoiding overuse of the accelerator pedal. Doing so can help
control excessive gasoline consumption.
For economical and ecological drivin g, pay attention to the following
points:
Using Eco drive mode
Use of Hybrid System Indicator
When braking the vehicle
Delays

4746-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
■Automatic mode for air intake control
In automatic mode, the system detects exhaust gas and other pollutants and auto-
matically switches between outside air and recirculated air modes.
When the dehumidification function is off, and the fan is operating, turning automatic
mode on will activate the dehumidification function.
■Micro dust and pollen filter
●In order to prevent the windshield from fogging up when the outside air is cold, the
following may occur:
• Outside air mode does not switch to (recirculated air) mode.
• The dehumidification function operates.
• The operation cancels after approximately 1 minute.
●In rainy weather, the windows may fog up. Press .
●In extremely humid weather, the windows may fog up.
●The pollens are filtered out even if the micro dust and pollen filter is turned off.
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
●In the Eco drive mode, the air conditioning sy stem is controlled as follows to priori-
tize fuel efficiency
• Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/cooling capacity
• Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
●To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following operations
• Adjust the fan speed
• Turn off Eco drive mode
■Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air mode.
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into and
accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to be emitted
from the vents.
●To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immedi- ately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic mode.

477
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
Heated steering wheel∗/seat heaters∗/
seat ventilators
∗
∗
: If equipped
Heated steering wheel and seat heaters heat the side grips of the steer-
ing wheel and seats, respectively. Seat ventilators maintain good air-
flow by blowing air from the seats.
CAUTION
●Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories
comes in contact with the steering wheel and seats when the heater is on:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically challenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
●Observe the following precautions to prevent minor burns or overheating:
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat heater.
• Do not use seat heater more than necessary.
NOTICE
●Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do not stick
sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
●To prevent 12-volt battery discharge, do not use the functions when the hybrid
system is off.