Towing Lexus ES300h 2016 Owner's Manual (OM33B71U)

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ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
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4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ......................154
Cargo and luggage.................... 160
Vehicle load limits ........................163
Trailer towing .................................164
Dinghy towing ...............................165
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch ..............166
EV drive mode ............................... 171
Hybrid transmission .................... 173
Turn signal lever ............................ 176
Parking brake ................................ 177
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .......................... 178
Automatic High Beam................ 181
Fog light switch ............................ 185
Windshield wipers and washer ................................. 186
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ...... 190 4-5. Using the driving support
systems
Lexus Safety System+ ................194
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .......... 201
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering co ntrol) ..............213
Dynamic radar cruise control............................ 222
Cruise control ............................. 234
Intuitive parking assist ...............237
Lexus parking assist monitor.........................................246
Driving mode select switch ............................................262
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)..... 264 •Blind Spot Monitor function ..................................... 267
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
function .................................... 269
Driving assist systems ............... 272
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips ......278
Winter driving tips ..................... 280
4Driving

18Pictorial index
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
■Instrument panel
Power switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 1 6 6
Starting the hybrid system/changing the modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 166
Emergency stop of the hybrid system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 493
When the hybrid system will not start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 518
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 505
Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 173
Changing the shift position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 173
Precautions against towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 494
When the shift lever does not move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 520
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 86
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument panel light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 86
Warning lights/indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 82
When the warning lights come on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 499
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741-2. Hybrid system
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
WA R N I N G
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious injury:
●Pull your vehicle off the road, apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, and
turn the hybrid system off.
●Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
●If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric shock may
occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch the fluid as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte
from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with your skin or
eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or, if possible, boric acid
solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicles, leave the vehicle as soon as possible. Never use
a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even a small amount of
water may be dangerous.
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with front wheels raised. If the wheels con-
nected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground when towing, the
motor may continue to generate electricity. This may cause a fire. (P. 4 9 4 )
●Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has leaked onto
the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave the vehicle as soon as
possible.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
●Never resell, hand over or modify the hybrid battery. To prevent accidents, hybrid
batteries that have been removed from a disposed vehicle are collected through
Lexus dealer. Do not dispose of the battery yourself.
Unless the battery is properly collected, th e following may occur, resulting in death
or serious injury:
• The hybrid battery may be illegally dispos ed of or dumped, and it is hazardous to
the environment or someone may touch a high voltage part, resulting in an electric
shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to be used exclusively with your hybrid vehicle. If
the hybrid battery is used outside of your vehicle or modified in any way, accidents
such as electric shock, heat generation , smoke generation, an explosion and elec-
trolyte leakage may occur.
When reselling or handing over your ve hicle, the possibility of an accident is
extremely high because the person receiving the vehicle may not be aware of these
dangers.
●If your vehicle is disposed of without the hybrid battery having been removed, there is
a danger of serious electric shock if high voltage parts, cables and their connectors
are touched. In the event that your vehicle must be disposed of, the hybrid battery
must be disposed of by your Lexus dealer or a qualified service shop. If the hybrid bat-
tery is not disposed of properly, it may caus e electric shock that can result in death or
serious injury.

153
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
4Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ...................... 154
Cargo and luggage .................... 160
Vehicle load limits ....................... 163
Trailer towing ................................. 164
Dinghy towing............................... 165
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch.............. 166
EV drive mode ............................... 171
Hybrid transmission ....................173
Turn signal lever ............................ 176
Parking brake .................................177 4-3. Operating the lights
and wipers
Headlight switch...........................178
Automatic High Beam ................181
Fog light switch ............................ 185
Windshield wipers and washer.................................. 186
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ...... 190
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Lexus Safety System+ ............... 194
PCS (Pre-Collision System)........... 201
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) ............. 213
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................ 222
Cruise control ............................. 234
Intuitive parking assist .............. 237
Lexus parking assist monitor ........................................ 246
Driving mode select switch ........................................... 262
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ..... 264 • Blind Spot Monitor
function .....................................267
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert function .................................... 269
Driving assist systems................272
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips...... 278
Winter driving tips .....................280

160
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)4-1. Before driving
Cargo and luggage
Cargo capacity depends on the to
tal weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the ava ilable amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150
lb passengers in your vehicle, the am ount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs. (1400  750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle. (P. 1 6 3 )
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your vehicle is not
designed for trailer towing.
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions, cargo
capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution

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ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight):
P. 5 3 4
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo and lug-
gage.
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of occupants whose estimated
average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆To w i n g c a p a c i t y
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrea se 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. 4 6 8 )
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing capac-
ity and cargo capacity.
WA R N I N G
■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.

164
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)4-1. Before driving
Trailer towing
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus also does
not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch carrier
for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc.
Your vehicle is not designed for trailer
towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers.

165
ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be ding
hy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground)
behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.

ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
2034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WA R N I N G
■When to disable the pre-collision system
●In the following situations, disable the system, as it may not operate properly, possibly
leading to an accident resultin g in death or serious injury:
• When the vehicle is being towed
• When your vehicle is towing another vehicle
• When transporting the vehicle via truck, boat, train or similar means of transporta- tion
• When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the hybrid system operating and the tires
are allowed to rotate freely
• When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chassis dynamometer
or speedometer tester, or when using an on vehicle wheel balancer
• When a strong impact is applied to the fron t bumper or front grille, due to an acci-
dent or other reasons
• If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehicle has
been in an accident or is malfunctioning
• When the vehicle is driven in a sporty manner or off-road
• When the tires are not properly inflated
• When the tires are very worn
• When tires of a size other than specified are installed
• When tire chains are installed
• When a compact spare tire or an emergency tire puncture repair kit is used
• If the suspension is modified
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lo wered, such as when loaded with heavy lug-
gage

ES300h_OM_OM33B71U_(U)
2154-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WA R N I N G
■Before using LDA system
Do not rely solely upon the LDA system. LDA is not a system which automatically
drives the vehicle or reduces the amount of attention that must be paid to the area in
front of the vehicle. The driver must always assume full responsibility for driving safely
by always paying careful attention to the surrounding conditions and operate the steer-
ing wheel to correct the path of the vehicle. Also, make sure to take adequate breaks
when fatigued, such as from driv ing for a long period of time.
Failure to perform appropriate driving operat ions and pay careful attention may lead to
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■To avoid operating LDA by mistake
When not using the LDA system, use the LDA switch to turn the system off.
■Situations unsuitable for LDA
Do not use the LDA system in the following situations.
The system may not operate properly and le ad to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury.
●A spare tire, tire chains, etc., are equipped.
●When the tires have been excessively worn, or when the tire inflation pressure is low.
●Tires which differ by structure, manufa cturer, brand or tread pattern are used.
●Objects or patterns that could be mistaken for white (yellow) lines are present on the
side of the road (guardrails, curbs, reflective poles, etc.).
●Vehicle is driven on a snow-covered road.
●White (yellow) lines are difficult to see due to rain, snow, fog, dust, etc.
●Asphalt repair marks, white (yellow) line marks, etc., are present due to road repair.
●Vehicle is driven in a temporary lane or restricted lane due to construction work.
●Vehicle is driven on a road surface which is slippery due to rainy weather, fallen snow,
freezing, etc.
●Vehicle is driven in traffic lanes other than on highways and freeways.
●Vehicle is driven in a construction zone.
●Vehicle is towing a trailer or another vehicle.
■Preventing LDA system malfunctions and operations performed by mistake
●Do not modify the headlights or place stickers, etc., on the surface of the lights.
●Do not modify the suspension etc. If the suspension etc. needs to be replaced, con-
tact your Lexus dealer.
●Do not install or place anything on the hood or grille. Also, do not install a grille guard
(bull bars, kangaroo bar, etc.).
●If your windshield needs repairs, contact your Lexus dealer.