2024 Lexus ES 300h Automatic Transmission
Modern automated transmissions make gear shifting smooth in the 2024 Lexus ES 300h. This innovative technology boosts performance and fuel economy for smooth, responsive city and highway driving.
2024 Lexus LS Review, Specs, Price and Mileage (Brochure)
Hybrid transmission Guide
Select the shift position depending on your purpose and situation.
Shift position purpose and functions
| Shift position | Objective or function |
| P | Parking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system |
| R | Reversing |
| N | Neutral |
| D | Normal driving*1 |
| S | S mode driving*2 |
- 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.
- 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 S5 or S4.
- When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in the D position.
Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
WARNING
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift the shift lever suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting in an accident.
NOTICE
Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever in N for a certain period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to start.
Shifting the shift lever
While the power switch is in ON mode and the brake pedal depressed*,
shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release button on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release button on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever normally.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is completely stopped and the brake pedal is depressed.
*: For the vehicle be able to be shifted from P, the brake pedal must be depressed before the shift release button is pushed. If the shift release button is pushed first, the shift lock will not be released.
Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the power switch is in ON mode the brake pedal is depressed and the shift release button is pushed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted even though the brake pedal is depressed and the shift release button is pushed, there may be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
- If the parking brake is in manual mode, set the parking brake.
- Turn the power switch off.
- Depress the brake pedal.
- Slide the lid towards the rear of the vehicle and hold it.
If you remove your hand and slide the lid again, the lid will fully close.
- Slide the shift lock cover to the position where you can see the hole
- Insert the flathead screwdriver into the hole and press and hold the shift lock override button and then push the button on the shift knob
To prevent damage to the shift lock over-ride button, cover the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
The shift lever can be shifted while the button is pressed
WARNING
To prevent an accident when releasing 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 pedal 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, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the D position
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.
- Upshifting
- Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to D6, will be displayed on the meter.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated with the shift lever in the D position
The shift range is downshifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is suitable to driving 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 position other than D
Downshifting restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor-mance, downshifting operation may sometimes 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.)
Selecting shift ranges in S mode
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.
- Upshifting
- 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 braking force.
- A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine revolutions will also increase.
- If you accelerate while in ranges S1 to S4, the shift range may automati-cally increase in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
S mode
- When the shift range is S4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift range to S6.
- To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur.
Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving perfor-mance, downshifting operation may sometimes 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.)
If the S indicator does not come on or the D indicator is displayed even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the hybrid transmission system. Have the vehi-cle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. (In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when the shift lever is in D.)
FAQ’s
The 2024 Lexus ES 300h features an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT).
The 2024 Lexus ES 300h has a manual shift mode that allows the driver to select simulated gear ratios using paddle shifters.
The 2024 Lexus ES 300h transmission is generally very reliable, but it’s always important to follow the recommended maintenance schedule to avoid potential issues.
The ECVT provides smooth acceleration and eliminates the shift shock that can be felt with traditional automatic transmissions, leading to a more comfortable ride.
Useful Links
View full PDF: 2024 Lexus ES 300h Owner’s Manual | Auto User Guide