Lexus ES: If your vehicle overheats

The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.

• The engine coolant temperature gauge is in the red zone or a loss of hybrid system power is experienced. (For example, the vehicle speed does not increase.)
• "Engine Coolant Temp High Stop in a Safe Place See Owner's Manual" or "Hybrid system overheated Output power reduced" is shown on the multi-information display.
• Steam comes out from under the hood.

Correction procedures

If the engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or "Engine Coolant Temp High Stop in a Safe Place See Owner's Manual" is shown on the multi-information display

1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air conditioning system, and then stop the hybrid system.

2. If you see steam: Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.

If you do not see steam: Carefully lift the hood.

3. After the hybrid system has cooled down sufficiently, inspect the hoses and cooling system for leaks.

1. Radiator
2. Cooling fan

If a large amount of coolant leaks, immediately contact your Lexus dealer.

4. The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the "F" and "L" lines on the reservoir.

1. Reservoir
2. "F" line
3. "L" line
4. Coolant inlet cap

5. Add coolant if necessary.

Water can be used in an emergency if engine coolant is unavailable.

6. Start the hybrid system and turn the air conditioning system on to check that the radiator cooling fan operates and to check for coolant leaks from the radiator or hoses.

The fan operates when the air conditioning system is turned on immediately after a cold start. Confirm that the fan is operating by checking the fan sound and air flow. If it is difficult to check these, turn the air conditioning system on and off repeatedly.

(The fan may not operate in freezing temperatures.)

7. If the fan is not operating: Stop the hybrid system immediately and contact your Lexus dealer.

If the fan is operating: Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Lexus dealer.

If "Hybrid system overheated Output power reduced" is shown on the multi-information display

1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place.

2. Stop the hybrid system and carefully lift the hood.

3. After the hybrid system has cooled down, inspect the hoses and radiator core (radiator) for any leaks.

1. Radiator
2. Cooling fan

If a large amount of coolant leaks, immediately contact your Lexus dealer.

4. The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the "FULL" and "LOW" lines on the reservoir.

1. Reservoir
2. "FULL" line
3. "LOW" line

5. Add coolant if necessary.

Water can be used in an emergency if power control unit coolant is unavailable.

6. After stopping the hybrid system and waiting for 5 minutes or more, start the hybrid system again and check if "Hybrid system overheated Output power reduced" is shown on the multi-information display.

If the message does not disappear: Stop the hybrid system and contact your Lexus dealer.

If the message is not displayed: The hybrid system temperature has dropped and the vehicle may be driven normally.

However, if the message appears again frequently, contact your Lexus dealer.

WARNING

■When inspecting under the hood of your vehicle Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in serious injury such as burns.

• If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot.
• After the hybrid system has been turned off, check that the "READY" indicator are off.

  When the hybrid system is operating, the gasoline engine may automatically start, or the cooling fan may suddenly operate even if the gasoline engine stops. Do not touch or approach rotating parts such as the fan, which may lead to fingers or clothing (especially a tie, a scarf or a muffler) getting caught, resulting in serious injury.

• Do not loosen the coolant inlet cap or coolant reservoir caps while the hybrid system and radiator are hot.

  High temperature steam or coolant could spray out.

NOTICE

■When adding engine/power control unit coolant Add coolant slowly after the hybrid system has cooled down sufficiently. Adding cool coolant to a hot hybrid system too quickly can cause damage to the hybrid system.

■To prevent damage to the cooling system

Observe the following precautions:

• Avoid contaminating the coolant with foreign matter (such as sand or dust etc.).
• Do not use any coolant additive.

If the vehicle becomes stuck

Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:

Recovering procedure

1. Stop the hybrid system. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.

2. Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the front wheels.

3. Place wood, stones or some other material under the front wheels to help provide traction.

4. Restart the hybrid system.

5. Shift the shift lever to D or R and release the parking brake. Then, while exercising caution, depress the accelerator pedal.

■When it is difficult to free the vehicle Press the switch to turn off TRAC.

WARNING

■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surrounding area is clear to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or people. The vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme caution.

■When shifting the shift lever Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.

This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

NOTICE

■To avoid damaging the transmission and other components

• Avoid spinning the front wheels and depressing the accelerator pedal more than necessary.
• If the vehicle remains stuck even after these procedures are performed, the vehicle may require towing to be freed.

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