ECO mode Lexus ES300h 2018 (OM33D45U) Owner's Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: LEXUS, Model Year: 2018, Model line: ES300h, Model: Lexus ES300h 2018Pages: 608, PDF Size: 10.67 MB
Page 177 of 608

ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
1774-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■S mode
●When the shift range is 4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift range
to 6.
●To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automatically selects a
higher shift range before the engine speed becomes too high.
■When driving with dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking,
the engine brake will not operate in the S  mode, even when downshifting to 5 or 4. 
( → P. 225)
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and  driving performance, downshifti ng operation may sometimes
be restricted. In some circum stances, downshifting may not  be possible even when the
shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■If the S indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the hybr id transmission system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operat e in the same manner as when the shift lever
is in D.)
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent ac cidental operation of the shift lever in start-
ing. 
The shift lever can be shifted from P only wh en the power switch is in ON mode and the
brake pedal is being depressed.
■Restraining sudden start  (Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual operation is pe rformed, the hybrid system output may be
restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to R (D includes S) with the acce lerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on
the multi-information display.  If a warning message is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, read  the message and follo w the instructions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed t oo much while the vehicle is in reverse. 
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184
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in  ,   or  : 
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30
seconds after the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and a
door is opened and all of the doors and trun k are closed. (The lights turn off immediately
if   on the key is pressed twic e after all the doors are closed.)
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light switch off
once and then back to   or  .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is kept open , the lights automatically turn off after 20 min-
utes.
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off or turned to ACCESSORY mode
and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
■Automatic headlight leve ling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted accordi ng to the number of passen-
gers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do not inter-
fere with other road users. 
■If “Headlight System Malfunction Visit Your  Dealer” is displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor se nsitivity) can be changed. 
(Customizable features:  →P. 560)
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the 
sensor, or anything that
blocks the sensor is affixed to the windshield. 
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction. 
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is not operat-
ing. 
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188
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor
 can be temporarily lowered.
Turn the power switch off while  the following conditions are met.
• The headlight switch is in   or  .
• The headlight switch lever  is in high beam position.
• Automatic High Beam switch is on.
Turn the power switch to ON mode.
Within 30 seconds after  , repeat pulling  the headlight switch lever to the original
position then pushing it to the high beam  position quickly 10 times, then leave the
lever in high beam position.
If the sensitivity is changed, the Automati c High Beam indicator is turn on and off
three times.
Automatic High Beam (head lights) may turn on even the vehicle is stopped.
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192
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■Raindrop sensor (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●If the wiper switch is turned to AUTO posi
tion while the power switch is in ON mode,
the wipers will operate once to sh ow that AUTO mode is activated.
●When the sensor sensitivity ring is turned toward high while in AUTO mode, the wipers
will operate once to in dicate that the sensor sensitivity is enhanced.
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 185°F (85°C) or higher, or -22°F
(-30°C) or lower, automatic operation ma y not occur. In this case, operate the
wipers in any mode other than AUTO mode.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
●The raindrop sensor judges the amount of
raindrops.
An optical sensor is ad opted. It may not oper-
ate properly when sunlight from the rising or
setting of the sun inte rmittently strikes the
windshield, or if bugs etc. are present on the
windshield.
WARNING
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wi pers in AUTO mode (vehicles with rain-
sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or the wind-
shield is subject to vibratio n in AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers or anything
else do not become caught  in the windshield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fl uid until the windshield becomes warm. The
fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause lo w visibility. This may lead to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury. 
Page 229 of 608

ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
2294-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Press the “ON/OFF” button to acti-
vate the cruise control.
Radar cruise control indicator will come
on and a message will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Press the button again to deactivate the
cruise control.
If the “ON/OFF” button is pressed and
held for 1.5 seconds or more, the system
turns on in constant speed control
mode. (→P. 233)
Accelerate or decelerate, with
accelerator pedal operation, to the
desired vehicle speed (above
approximately 30 mph [50 km/h])
and push the lever down to set the
speed.
Cruise control “SET” indicator will come
on.
The vehicle speed at the moment the
lever is released becomes the set speed.
Setting the vehicle speed (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode)
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Page 233 of 608

ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
2334-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
When constant speed control mode is selected, your vehicle will maintain a set
speed without controlling the vehicle-to-veh icle distance. Select this mode only
when vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode does not function correctly due
to a dirty radar sensor, etc.
With the cruise control off, press and
hold the “ON/OFF” button for 1.5
seconds or more.
Immediately after the “ON/OFF” but-
ton is pressed, the radar cruise control
indicator will come on. Afterwards, it
switches to the cruise control indicator.
Switching to constant speed control
mode is only possible when operating
the lever with the cruise control off.
Accelerate or decelerate, with
accelerator pedal operation, to the
desired vehicle speed (at or above
approximately 25 mph [40 km/h])
and push the lever down to set the
speed.
Cruise control “SET” indicator will come
on.
The vehicle speed at the moment the
lever is released becomes the set speed.
Adjusting the speed setting:  →P. 230
Canceling and resuming  the speed setting: →P. 232
Selecting constant speed control mode
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260
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
WARNING
■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 backin
g up, be sure to check visually behind and all around the vehi-
cle 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 displaye d on the screen may differ from the actual
state.
Use caution, just as you woul d 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 condi-
tions, road surface conditions, vehicle condit ion, etc. when parking. It is necessary 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 vehi-
cle 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 stra ight, 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 movi ng, or you may become unable to see the
image on the screen. Be sure to check dire ct visually and with the mirrors all around
the vehicle before proceeding.
●If the tire sizes are changed, the position of the guide lines displayed on the screen
may change.
●The camera uses a special  lens. The distances between  objects and pedestrians that
appear in the image displayed on the screen will differ from the actual distances. 
( → P. 254)
●Estimated course line display mode: If the st eering wheel is straight and the vehicle
width guide lines and the estimated course lines are not in alignment, have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer. 
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262
ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving mode select switch
Normal mode
For normal driving.
Press the switch to change the driving mode
 to normal mode when selected to Eco
mode or sport mode.
Eco drive mode
Use Eco mode to help achieve low fuel  consumption during trips that involve
frequent accelerating.
When not in Eco drive mode and the driving mode select switch is  turned to the left,
the “ECO” indicator comes on in  the multi-information display.
Sport mode
Assists acceleration response by contro lling the steering and hybrid system.
Suitable for when precise handling is  desirable, for example when driving on
mountain roads.
When not in Sport mode and the driving mode  select switch is turned to the right, the
“SPORT” indicator comes on in  the multi-information display.
The hybrid system indicator changes to the tachometer. ( →P. 86)
The driving modes can be selected to suit driving condition.
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Page 263 of 608

ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)
2634-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the air condi-
tioning system to enhance fuel efficiency (→P. 391). To improve air conditioning perfor-
mance, adjust the fan speed  or turn off Eco drive mode.
■Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the power switch is turned off after driving in
sport mode. 
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ES300h_OM_OM33D45U_(U)4-6. Driving tips
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accelerator
pedal depression amount can be generate
d 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. 262)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by  keeping the indicate of Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. ( →P. 88)
◆Shift lever operation
Shift the shift lever to D when stopped at  a traffic light, or driving in heavy traf-
fic etc. Shift the shift lever to P when parking. When using the N, there is no
positive effect on fuel consumption. In  the N, the gasoline engine operates but
electricity cannot be generated. Also, wh en using the air conditioning system,
etc., the hybrid battery (tractio n battery) power is consumed.
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
●Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid ab rupt acceleration and deceleration.
Gradual acceleration and deceleration  will make more effective use of the
electric motor (traction motor) without having to use gasoline engine
power.
●Avoid repeated acceleration. Repeated  acceleration consumes hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) power, resulting in poor fuel consumption. Battery
power can be restored by driving with the accelerator pedal slightly
released.
◆When braking
Make sure to operate the brakes gently and in a timely manner. A greater
amount of electrical energy can be regenerated when slowing down.
For economical and ecological driving, pay attention to the following points: