tires 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

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
1894-1. Before driving
4
Driving
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Shift the shift lever to P. (→P. 222, 226)
Set the parking brake. (→ P. 231)
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 1 9 )
■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
Pa r k i n g t h e ve h i c l e
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3

192
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(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. 6 1 5
●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 2 3 , 2 2 7 )
●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.
■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 shifting, or changes in engine speed
could cause the vehicle to skid, 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.

202
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): →P. 7 0 0
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. 577)
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.

278
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■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. 639, 646)
CAUTION
■Before using the LDA system
Do not rely solely on the LDA system. The LDA system does not drive the vehicle
automatically, nor does it reduce the amount of care you need to take. As such, the
driver must always assume full responsibility for understanding his/her surround-
ings, for operating the steering wheel to correct the driving line, and for driving
safely.
Inappropriate or negligent driving could lead to an accident.
■To avoid operating the LDA by mistake
Switch the LDA system off using the “LDA” switch when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for LDA system
Do not use LDA system in any of the following situations.
Otherwise, the system may not function correctly and could result in an accident.
●When driving with tire chains, a spare tire, or similar equipment
●When there are objects or structures along the roadside that might be misinter-
preted as lane markers (such as guardrails, curb, reflector posts, etc.)
●When driving on snowy roads
●When pavement lane markers are difficult to see due to rain, snow, fog, sand, dirt,
etc.
●When there are visible lines on the pavement from road repairs, or if the remains
of old lane markers are still visible on the road
●When driving on a road with lane closures due to maintenance, or when driving
in a temporary lane

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
3094-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
CAUTION
■When using the Lexus parking assist monitor system
The parking assist monitor is a supplemental device intended to assist the driver
when backing up. When backing up, be sure to check visually behind and all
around the vehicle before proceeding.
Observe the following precautions to avoid an accident that could result in death
or serious injuries.
●Never depend on the parking assist monitor entirely when backing up. The image
and the position of the guide lines displayed on the screen may differ from the
actual state.
Use caution, just as you would when backing up any vehicle.
●Be sure to back up slowly, depressing the brake pedal to control vehicle speed.
●If you seem likely to hit nearby vehicles, obstacles, people or mount the shoulder,
depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
●The instructions given are only guidelines.
When and how much to turn the steering wheel will vary according to traffic con-
ditions, road surface conditions, vehicle condition, etc. when parking. It is neces-
sary to be fully aware of this before using the parking assist system.
●When parking, be sure to check that the parking space will accommodate your
vehicle before maneuvering into it.
●Do not use the parking assist monitor in the following cases:
• On icy or slick road surfaces, or in snow
• When using tire chains or emergency tires
• When the trunk is not closed completely
• On roads that are not flat or straight, such as curves or slopes.
●In low temperatures, the screen may darken or the image may become faint. The
image could distort when the vehicle is moving, or you may become unable to
see the image on the screen. Be sure to check direct visually and with the mirrors
all around the vehicle before proceeding.

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
3174-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheat-
ing when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steer-
ing wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive
steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The effec-
tiveness will improve after a short while.
CAUTION
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as excessively
worn tires on a snow covered road).
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal condi-
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the following situa-
tions:
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery
road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause
an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■When the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As
these are the systems help ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn the
TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.

318
ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
CAUTION
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire
inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are
installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect the
driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.

ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
3394-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
Control your speed and keep at a constant speed. Also, before stopping
at a toll booth or similar, allow plenty of time to release the accelerator and
gently apply the brakes. A greater amount of electrical energy can be
retained when slowing down.
Use the air conditioning only when necessary. Doing so can help control
excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: In high temperatures, use the recirculated air mode. Doing so
will help to reduce the burden on the air conditioner and reduce fuel con-
sumption as well.
In winter: Because the gasoline engine will not automatically cut out until
the gasoline engine and the interior of the vehicle are warm, it will con-
sume fuel. Also, fuel consumption can be improved by avoiding overuse of
the heater.
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently. Improper tire
inflation pressure can cause poor fuel consumption.
Also, as snow tires can cause large amounts of friction, their use on dry
roads can lead to poor fuel consumption. Use a tire that is appropriate for
the season.
Carrying heavy luggage can lead to poor fuel consumption. Avoid carry-
ing unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack can also cause poor
fuel consumption.
Highway driving
Air conditioning
Checking tire inflation pressure
Luggage