engine LEXUS ES300h 2021 Owner's Manual

1524-2. Driving procedures
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, set the shift lever in D for normal
driving. You can choose shift range
suitable for your driving situation by
operating the paddle shift switches.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode,
you can control accelerating force and
engine braking forces.
■When driving with dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range activated
Even when performing the following
actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate
because dynamic radar cruise control with
full speed range will not be canceled.
●While driving in the D position or S mode,
downshifting to 5 or 4. ( P.198)
●When switching the driving mode to
sport mode while driving in the D posi-
tion. ( P.213)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start
Control)
 P.137
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatica lly selects the suit-
able gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when
the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift lever
to S cancels the function.)
Hybrid transmission
Select the shift position depending
on your purpose and situation.
Shift position purpose and func-
tions
Shift posi-
tionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( P.155)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road sur-
faces
Do not accelerate or shift gears sud-
denly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may
cause the vehicle to sp in or skid, resulting
in an accident.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (t raction battery)
charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery
(traction battery) will not be charged
even when the engine is running. There-
fore, if the vehicle is left with the shift
lever in N for a certain period of time, the
hybrid battery (traction battery) will dis-
charge, and this may re sult in the vehicle
not being able to start.

1544-2. Driving procedures
emergency measure to ensure that the shift
lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1If the parking brake is in manual mode,
set the parking brake. ( P.157)
2 Turn the power switch off.
3 Depress the brake pedal.
4 Press down and release the cup holder
lid to open.
5 Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the
tip of the screwd river with a rag.
6 Press and hold the shift lock override
button and then push the button on the
shift knob.
The shift lever can be shifted while the but-
ton is pressed
 P.213
To drive using temporary shift range
selection, operate the “-” paddle shift
switch. The shift range can then be
selected by operating the “-” and “+”
paddle shift switches.
Changing the shift range allows
restriction of the highest shift range,
preventing unnecessary upshifting and
enabling the level of engine braking
force to be selected.
1 Upshifting
2 Downshifting
WARNING
■To prevent an accident when releas-
ing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override
button, make sure to set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pe dal is accidentally
depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is
pressed and the shift lever is shifted out
of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, pos-
sibly leading to an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D
position

1554-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
The selected shift range, from D1 to D6,
will be displaye d in the meter.
■When the “-” paddle shift switch is oper-
ated with the shift le ver in the D position
The shift range is do wnshifted to a range
that enables engine br aking force that is
suitable to driv ing conditions.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range
selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will
be deactivated in the following situations:
●The “+” paddle shift switch is held down
for a period of time
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for
more than a certain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to a posi-
tion other than D
■Downshifting restriction warning
buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor-
mance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances,
downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever or paddle shift switch is
operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to
S. Shift ranges can be selected by
operating the shift lever or paddle shift
switches, allowing you to drive in the
shift range of your choosing. 1
Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to S6, will
be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is set
automatically to S5 or S4 according to
vehicle’s speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
 You can choose from 6 levels of
accelerating force and engine brak-
ing force.
 A lower shift range will provide
greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher
shift range, and the engine revolu-
tions will also increase.
 If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to
4, the shift range may automatically
increase in accordance with the
vehicle’s speed.
■S mode
●When the shift range is S4 or lower, hold-
ing the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to S6.
●To prevent the engine from over-revving,
upshifting may automatically occur.
Selecting shift ranges in S mode

2194-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
and other factors, the detection distance
may shorten, or detection may be impos-
sible.
• There will be a short delay between object detection and display. Even at low
speeds, there is a possibility that the
object will come within the sensor’s
detection areas before the display is
shown and the warning beep sounds.
• It might be difficult to hear the buzzer due to the volume of the audio system or air
flow noise of the air conditioning system.
• It may be difficult to hear the buzzer if buzzers for other systems are sounding.
■Conditions under which the function
may not function correctly
Certain vehicle conditions and the sur-
rounding environment may affect the ability
of a sensor to correctly detect objects. Par-
ticular instances where this may occur are
listed below.
●There is dirt, snow or ice on a sensor.
(Cleaning the sensors will resolve this
problem.)
●A sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will
resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is
frozen the sensor display may be dis-
played abnormally, or objects, such as a
wall, may not be detected.
●A sensor is covered in any way.
●When a sensor or the area around a sen-
sor is extremely hot or cold.
●On an extremely bumpy road, on an
incline, on gravel, or on grass.
●The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to
vehicle horns, motorcycle engines, air
brakes of large vehicles, or other loud
noises producing ultrasonic waves.
●There is another vehicle equipped with
parking assist sensors in the vicinity.
●A sensor is coated with a sheet of spray
or heavy rain.
●If a sensor is hit by a large amount of
water, such as when driving on a flooded
road.
●If the vehicle is significantly tilted.
●The vehicle is approaching a tall or
curved curb.
●If objects draw too close to the sensor.
■Objects which may not be properly
detected
The shape of the object may prevent the
sensor from detectin g it. Pay particular
attention to the following objects:
●Wires, fences, ropes, etc.
●Cotton, snow and other materials that
absorb sound waves
●Sharply-angled objects
●Low objects
●Tall objects with upper sections project-
ing outwards in the direction of your vehi-
cle
People may not be de tected if they are
wearing certain types of clothing.
■Detection range of the sensors
Approximately 3.3 ft. (100 cm)
Approximately 4.9 ft. (150 cm)
Approximately 2.0 ft. (60 cm)
The diagram shows the detection range of
the sensors. Note that the sensors cannot
detect objects that are extremely close to
the vehicle.
Sensor detection display, object
distance
A
B
C

2394-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
• When parallel parking
• When there is a rut or hole in the surface of the road
• When driving on a metal cover (grating), such as those used for drainage ditches
• When driving on a steep slope
• If a sensor is hit by a large amount of
water, such as when driving on a flooded
road
●Weather
• If a sensor is covered with ice, snow, dirt,
etc. (when cleared, the system will return
to normal)
• If heavy rain or water strikes a sensor
• When driving in incl ement weather such
as fog, snow or a sandstorm
• When strong winds are blowing
●Other ultrasonic wave sources
• When vehicle horns, vehicle detectors,
motorcycle engines, air brakes of large
vehicles, the clearance sonar of other
vehicles or other devices which produce
ultrasonic waves are near the vehicle
• If a sticker or an el ectronic component,
such as a backlit license plate (especially
fluorescent type), fog lights, fender pole
or wireless antenna is installed near a
sensor
●Changes in the vehicle posture
• If the vehicle is significantly tilted
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or low-
ered due to the carried load
• If the orientation of a sensor has been
changed due to a collision or other
impact
■Situations in which the Parking Support
Brake function (stati c objects) may not
operate properly
In some situations, such as the following, this
function may not operate properly.
●Weather
• When a sensor or the area around a sen- sor is extremely hot or cold • When strong winds are blowing
• If a sensor is covered with ice, snow, dirt,
etc. (when cleared, the system will return
to normal)
• If heavy rain or water strikes a sensor
• When driving in incl ement weather such
as fog, snow or a sandstorm
• A sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will
resolve this problem.)
●Vehicle surroundings
• When an object that cannot be detected is between the vehicle and a detected
object
• If an object such as a vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian cuts in front of the
vehicle or runs out from the side of the
vehicle
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass.
• If objects draw too close to the sensor.
●Other ultrasonic waves sources
• When vehicle horns, vehicle detectors,
motorcycle engines, air brakes of large
vehicles, the clearance sonar of other
vehicles or other de vices which produce
ultrasonic waves are near the vehicle
• If a sticker or an electronic component, such as a backlit license plate (especially
fluorescent type), fog lights, fender pole
or wireless antenna is installed near a
sensor
●Changes in the vehicle posture

2494-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Disabling the TRAC system
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow,
the TRAC system may reduce power from
the hybrid system to the wheels. Pressing
the switch to turn the system off may
make it easier for you to rock the vehicle in
order to free it.
To turn the TRAC system off, quickly press
and release the switch.
“Traction Control Turned Off” will be
shown on the multi-information display.
Press the switch again to turn the
system back on.
■Turning off both TRAC and VSC sys-
tems
To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off,
press and hold the switch for more
than 3 seconds while the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on
and the “Traction Cont rol Turned Off” will
be shown on the multi-information display.
*
Press the switch again to turn the
system back on.
*: PCS (Pre-Collision System) will also be disabled (only Pre-Collision warning is
available). The PCS warning light will come on and a message will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
(
 P.186)
■When the message is displayed on the
multi-information display showing that
TRAC has been disabled even if the
switch has not been pressed
TRAC is temporary deactivated. If the
information continues to show, contact your
Lexus dealer.
■Operating conditions of hill-start assist
control
When the following four conditions are met,
the hill-start assist control will operate:
●The shift lever is in a position other than P
or N (when starting off forward/back-
ward on an up ward incline).
●The vehicle is stopped.
●The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●The parking brake is not engaged.
■Automatic system cancelation of hill-
start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any
of the following situations:
●The shift lever is shifted to P or N.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed.
●The parking brake is engaged.
●2 seconds at maximum elapsed after the
brake pedal is released.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the
ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and hill-
start assist control systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine
compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, when the hybrid
system is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has occurred in
any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may
occur when the above systems are oper-
ating. None of these indicates that a mal-
function has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehi-
cle body and steering.

2504-5. Using the driving support systems
• A motor sound may be heard also after the vehicle comes to a stop.
■ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the
following cases, but it does not indicate that
a malfunction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from the engine
compartment when the brake pedal is
operated.
●Motor sound of the brake system heard
from the front part of the vehicle when
the driver’s door is opened.
●Operating sound heard from the engine
compartment when one or two minutes
passed after the stop of the hybrid sys-
tem.
■Active Cornering Assist operation
sounds and vibrations
When the Active Cornering Assist is oper-
ated, operation sounds and vibrations may
be generated from the brake system, but
this is not a malfunction.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a
motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and
VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems
off, the systems will be automatically re-
enabled in the following situations:
●When the power switch is turned off
●If only the TRAC system is turned off, the
TRAC will turn on when vehicle speed
increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are
turned off, automatic re-enabling will not
occur when vehicle speed increases.
■Secondary Collision Brake operating
conditions
The system operates when the SRS airbag
sensor detects a collis ion while the vehicle
is in motion.
However, the system does not operate in
any of the following situations.
●The vehicle speed is below 6 mph (10
km/h)
●Components are damaged
■Secondary Collision Brake automatic
cancellation
The system is automatically canceled in any
of the following situations.
●The vehicle speed drops below approxi-
mately 6 mph (10 km/h)
●A certain amount of time elapses during
operation
●The accelerator pedal is depressed a
large amount
■Operating conditions of Active Corner-
ing Assist
The system operates when the following
occurs.
●TRAC/VSC can operate
●The driver is attempting to accelerate
while turning
●The system detects that the vehicle is
drifting to the outer side
●The brake pedal is released
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS sys-
tem
The effectiveness of the EPS system is
reduced to prevent the system from over-
heating when there is frequent steering
input over an extended period of time. The
steering wheel may feel heavy as a result.
Should this occur, re frain from excessive
steering input or stop the vehicle and turn
the hybrid system off. The EPS system
should return to normal within 10 minutes.
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively
when
●The limits of tire gripping performance
have been exceeded (such as exces-
sively worn tires on a snow covered
road).
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving
at high speed on wet or slick roads.

2524-6. Driving tips
4-6.Driving tips
When using Eco drive mode, the
torque corresponding to the accelera-
tor pedal depression amount can be
generated more smoothly than it is in
normal conditions. In addition, the
operation of the air conditioning sys-
tem (heating/cooling) will be mini-
mized, improving the fuel economy.
( P.213)
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by
keeping the indicate of Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. ( P.79)
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, when using the air conditioning
system, etc., the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) power is consumed. 
Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid
abrupt acceleration and decelera-
tion. Gradual acceleration and
deceleration will make more effec-
tive use of the electric motor (trac-
tion motor) without having to use
gasoline engine power.
 Avoid repeated acceleration.
Repeated acceleration consumes
hybrid battery (traction battery)
power, resulting in poor fuel con-
sumption. Battery power can be
restored by driving with the acceler-
ator pedal slightly released.
Make sure to operate the brakes gen-
tly and in a timely manner. A greater
amount of electrical energy can be
regenerated when slowing down.
Repeated acceleration and decelera-
tion, as well as long waits at traffic
lights, will lead to bad fuel economy.
Check traffic reports before leaving
and avoid delays as much as possible.
When driving in a traffic jam, 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.
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological
driving, pay attention to the follow-
ing points:
Using Eco drive mode
Use of Hybrid System Indicator
Shift lever operation
Accelerator pedal/brake pedal
operation
When braking
Delays

2534-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
Control and maintain the vehicle at a
constant speed. 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
regenerated when slowing down.
Use the air conditioning only when
necessary. Doing so can help reduce
excessive gasoline consumption.
In summer: When the ambient tem-
perature is high, use the recirculated
air mode. Doing so will help to reduce
the burden on the air conditioning sys-
tem and reduce fuel consumption as
well.
In winter: Because the gasoline engine
will not automatically cut out until it and
the interior of the vehicle are warm, it
will consume fuel. Also, fuel consump-
tion 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
economy.
Also, as snow tires can cause large
amounts of friction, their use on dry
roads can lead to poor fuel economy.
Use tires that are appropriate for the
season. Carrying heavy luggage will lead to
poor fuel economy. Avoid carrying
unnecessary luggage.
Installing a large
roof rack will also cause poor fuel
economy.
Since the gasoline engine starts up and
cuts out automatically when cold,
warming up the engine is unnecessary.
Moreover, frequently driving short dis-
tances will cause the engine to repeat-
edly warm up, which can lead to excess
fuel consumption.
Highway driving
Air conditioning
Checking tire inflation pressure
Luggage
Warming up before driving

2544-6. Driving tips
Use fluids that are appropriate to
the prevailing outside temperatures.
•Engine oil
• Engine coolant/power control unit cool-
ant
•Washer fluid
 Have a service technician inspect
the condition of the 12-volt battery.
 Have the vehicle fitted with four
snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
*
Ensure that all tires are the specified size
and brand, and that chains match the size
of the tires.
*: Tire chains cannot be mounted on vehi-
cles with 18-inch tires.
Perform the following according to the
driving conditions:
 Do not try to forcibly open a window
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary prepara-
tions and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive
the vehicle in a manner appropriate
to the prevailing weather condi-
tions.
Preparation for winter
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of
vehicle control and cause death or seri-
ous injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended level of air
pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120
km/h), regardless of the type of snow
tires being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some
wheels.
■Driving with tire chains (vehicles with
17-inch tires)
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle
being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), which-
ever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces
or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
steering, sudden br aking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine
braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering
a curve to ensure that vehicle control
is maintained.
●Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
system.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow
tires from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal and attach-
ment of snow tires affects the operation
of the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters.
Before driving the vehicle