2021 Lexus ES Owner’s Manual

2021 Lexus ES Owner’s Manual

The 2021 Lexus ES is a perfect example of luxury and sophistication in the midsize sedan segment, skillfully fusing cutting-edge technology, sophisticated styling, and a calm driving environment. Renowned for its luxurious interior, the ES boasts roomy and plush seating, high-quality materials, and flawless craftsmanship that screams refinement. Offering an array of engine options, such as a powerful V6 and a green hybrid, it accommodates a wide range of driving tastes. The 2021 Lexus ES guarantees ease and safety with its array of driver assistance systems and state-of-the-art technology. This midsize luxury sedan offers an unmatched driving experience that is nothing short of extraordinary, demonstrating Lexus’ dedication to providing a harmonic balance of style, comfort, and performance.

2023 Lexus ES Specs, Price, Features, Mileage and Review

Hybrid system features

Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from conventional vehicles. Be sure you are closely familiar with the characteristics of your vehicle, and operate it with care. The hybrid system combines the use of a gasoline engine and an electric motor (traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving fuel efficiency and reducing exhaust emissions.

System components
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.

• Gasoline engine
• Electric motor (traction motor)

When stopped/during start off
The gasoline engine stops* when the vehicle is stopped. During start off, the electric motor (traction motor) drives the vehicle. At slow speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine is stopped* and the electric motor (traction motor) is used. When the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) is not being charged.

*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the engine is warming up, etc., the gasoline engine will not automatically stop.

• During normal driving
  The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor (traction motor) charges the hybrid battery
  (traction battery) as necessary.
• When accelerating sharply
  When the accelerator pedal is depressed heavily, the power of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is added to that of the gasoline engine via the electric motor (traction motor).
• When braking (regenerative braking)
  The wheels operate the electric motor (traction motor) as a power generator, and the hybrid battery (traction bat-tery) is charged.
• Regenerative braking
  • In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and deceleration force can be obtained in conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid battery (traction battery).
    • The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift lever in D or S.
    • The brake pedal is depressed while driv-ing with the shift lever in D or S.
  • While the GPF system is operating to regenerate the exhaust gas filter, the hybrid battery (traction battery) may not be recharged.
• EV indicator
  The EV indicator comes on when the vehi-cle is driven using only the electric motor (traction motor) or the gasoline engine is stopped.
  
• Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
  The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically.

However, it may not stop automatically in the following conditions*:

• During gasoline engine warm-up
• During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
• When the temperature of the hybrid bat-tery (traction battery) is high or low
• When the heater is switched on
  • *: Depending on the circumstances, the gasoline engine may also not stop automatically in other situations.

Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if the vehicle is left parked for a long time the hybrid battery (traction battery) will slowly discharge. For this reason, be sure to drive the vehicle at least once every few months for at least 30 minutes or 16 km (10 miles). If the hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes fully discharged and you are unable to start the hybrid system, contact any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

• Charging the 12-volt battery
• After the 12-volt battery has discharged or when the terminal has been removed and installed during exchange, etc.
  The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by a hybrid battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
• Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
  There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehicle is able to move with the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift lever to P when parked. The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is operating and are not a malfunction:
  • Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
  • Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) behind the rear seats when the hybrid system starts or stops.
  • Relay operating sounds such as a snap or soft clank will be emitted from the hybrid battery (traction battery), behind the rear seats, when the hybrid system is started or stopped.
  • Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the trunk lid is open.
  • Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the gasoline engine starts or stops when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
  • Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
  • Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is depressed or as the accelerator pedal is released.
  • Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
  • Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vent under the rear seat.
• Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
  Contact any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and disposal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
• Customization
  Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the EV indicator) can be changed.

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Sys-tem
When driving with the gasoline engine stopped, a sound, which changes in accordance with the driving speed, will be played in order to warn people nearby of the vehicle’s approach. This sound may be heard inside the vehicle. The sound will stop when the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 25 km/h (15 mph).

• Acoustic vehicle alerting system
  In the following cases, the acoustic vehicle alerting system may be difficult for surrounding people to hear.
  • In very noisy areas
  • In the wind or the rain

Also, as the acoustic vehicle alerting system is installed on the front of the vehicle, it may be more difficult to hear from the rear of the vehicle compared to the front.

Hybrid system precautions

Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high-voltage system (about 650 V at maximum) as well as contains parts that become extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating. Obey the warning labels attached to the vehicle.

System components

The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.

• Warning label
• Service plug
• Hybrid battery (traction battery)
• High voltage cables (orange)
• Electric motor (traction motor)
• Power control unit
• Air conditioning compressor

Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be started, refuel the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel level warning light go off. If there is only a small amount of fuel, the hybrid system may not be able to start. (The standard amount of fuel is about 9.0 L [2.4 gal., 2.0 Imp.gal.], when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value may vary when the vehicle is on a slope. Add extra fuel when the vehicle is inclined.)

• Electromagnetic waves
  • High voltage parts and cables on hybrid vehicles incorporate electromagnetic shielding and therefore emit approxi-mately the same amount of electromagnetic waves as conventional gasoline-powered vehicles or home electronic appliances.
  • Your vehicle may cause sound interference in some third-party-produced radio parts.
• Hybrid battery (traction battery)
  The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life. The lifespan of the hybrid battery (traction battery) can change in accordance with driving style and driving conditions.
• Declaration of conformity
  This model conforms to hydrogen emis-sions according to regulation ECE100 (Battery electric vehicle safety).

WARNING

• High voltage precautions
  This vehicle has high-voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12-volt system. DC and AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe burns and electric shock that may result in death or serious injury.
  • Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high-voltage parts, cables or their connectors.
  • The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high voltage. Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and always obey the warning labels attached to the vehicle.
  • Never try to open the service plug access hole located under the rear seat (right side). The service plug is used only when the vehicle is serviced and is subject to high voltage.
    
• Road accident cautions
  Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious injury:
  • Stop the vehicle in a safe place to prevent subsequent accidents. While depressing the brake pedal, apply the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P to stop the hybrid system. Then, slowly release the brake pedal.
  • 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 a 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, a boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
  • If electrolyte is leaking from the hybrid battery (traction battery), do not approach the vehicle. Even in the unlikely event that the hybrid battery (traction battery) is damaged, the internal construction of the battery will prevent a large amount of electrolyte from leaking out. However, any electrolyte that does leak out will give off a vapour. This vapour is an irritant to the skin and eyes and could cause acute poisoning if inhaled.
  • Do not bring burning or high-temperature items close to the electrolyte. The electrolyte may ignite and cause a fire.
  • If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, 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 the front wheels raised. If the wheels connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground when towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may cause a fire.
  • Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has leaked onto the ground, the fuel sys-tem 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 any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer. Do not dispose of the battery yourself. Unless the battery is properly collected, the following may occur, resulting in death or serious injury:
    • The hybrid battery may be illegally dis-posed of or dumped, and it is hazard-ous to the environment or someone may touch a high voltage part, result-ing in an electric shock.
    • The hybrid battery is intended to be used exclusively with your hybrid vehi-cle. 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 electrolyte leakage may occur.
  • When reselling or handing over your vehicle, 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 any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer. If the hybrid battery is not disposed of prop-erly, it may cause electric shock that can result in death or serious injury.
• Hybrid battery (traction battery)
  Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the vehi-cle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may be damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

FAQs

Useful Link

Download Manuals: https://www.lexus.com/My-Lexus/resources

2023 Lexus ES Specs, Price, Features, Mileage and Review

2022 Lexus ES Owner’s Manual