Lexus ES300h 2016 Owner's Manual (OM33B71U)

491
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
8When trouble arises
8-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers .................. 492
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency .... 493
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................ 494
If you think something is wrong ................ 498
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds ..... 499
If a warning message is displayed ............................... 505
If you have a flat tire.................. 508
If the hybrid system will not start ................................................ 518
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ..................... 520
If the electronic key does not operate properly .......................521
If the 12-volt battery is discharged ................................. 523
If your vehicle overheats ......... 527
If the vehicle becomes stuck .............................................. 531

492
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers
Press the switch.
All the turn signal lights will flash.
To turn them off, press the switch once
again.
■Emergency flashers
If the emergency flashers are used for a long time while the hybrid system is not operat-
ing (while the “READY” indicator is not illumi
nated), the 12-volt battery may discharge.
The emergency flashers are used to warn other drivers when the vehicle has
to be stopped in the road due to a breakdown, etc.

493
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)8-1. Essential information
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle has to be
stopped in an emergency
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to
slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the hybrid system.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle speed as
much as possible.
To stop the hybrid system, press and
hold the power switch for 2 consec-
utive seconds or more, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more
or press briefly 3 times or more
4
WA R N I N G
■If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the steering wheel will be lost, making the steering wheel heavier to
turn. Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the hybrid system.
5

494
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem with your hybrid transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
●A warning message for the hybrid system is shown on the multi-information
display and the vehicle does not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing se rvice, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the frontFrom the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.

4958-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle is transported by a flat
bed truck, it should be tied down at the
locations shown in the illustration.
If you use chains or cables to tie down
your vehicle, the angles shaded in black
must be 45 .
Do not overly tighten the tie downs or
the vehicle may be damaged.
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be temporarily
towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency towing eyelets. This
should only be attempted on hard surf aced roads for short distances at under
3 mph (5 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The vehicle’s
wheels, drive train, axles, steering an d brakes must be in good condition.
Using a flat bed truck
Emergency towing

4968-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
Take out the towing eyelet. (P. 5 0 9 )
Remove the eyelet cover using a flat-
head screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehi-
cle body as shown in the illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the hole
and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the hybrid system.
If the hybrid system does not start, turn the power switch to ON mode.
Shift the shift position to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: P. 5 2 0
Emergency towing procedure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

4978-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
■While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not function,
making steering and br aking more difficult.
■Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in trunk. ( P. 5 0 9 )
WA R N I N G
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
■While towing
●When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place excessive
stress on the eyelet, cables or chains. The towing eyelet, cables or chains may
become damaged, broken debris may hit people and cause serious damage.
●Do not turn the power switch off.
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be operated.
■Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelet is installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing ey elets may come loose during towing.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck
●Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the power switch is off. The steering lock
mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight.
●When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the oppo-
site end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the vehicle could be dam-
aged while being towed.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the front
wheels raised or with all four wheels raised off
the ground. If the vehicle is towed with the front
wheels contacting the ground, the drivetrain
and related parts may be damaged or electric-
ity generated by the operation of the motor
may cause a fire to occur depending on the
nature of the damage or malfunction.

498
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air co
nditioning after use is normal.)
●Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
●Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher than nor-
mal.
●Changes in exhaust sound
●Excessive tire squeal when cornering
●Strange noises related to the suspension system
●Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
●Appreciable loss of power
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches the floor
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

499
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, bu
t then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (red indicator) and warning buzzer Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
Brake system warning light (yellow indicator)
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative brake system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic hybrid transmission control system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

5008-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)Indicates a malfunction in the EP S (Electric Power Steering) sys-
tem
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
PCS warning light Indicates a malfunction in the pre-collision system
The warning light will operate as follows, even when the system is
not malfunctioning:
• The light will come on when the TRAC and VSC systems are
turned off. ( P. 2 74 )
• The light will come on when the pre-collision braking is disabled.
(  P. 2 0 4 )
• The light will flash when the system cannot temporarily be used. ( P. 212)
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Slip indicator light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system;
•The TRAC system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
The light will flash when the ABS, VSC or TRAC is operating.
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.6 gal. (9.7 L,
2.1 Imp.gal.) or less
 Refuel the vehicle.
Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their seat belts
 Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front passenger’s
seat belt also needs to be fa stened to make the warning light
(warning buzzer) turn off.
Master warning light A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and flashes to
indicate that the master warning system has detected a malfunc-
tion.
 P. 5 0 5
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions