steering Lexus GX470 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 GX470 (OM60A45U) User Guide

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
135
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic
module, which will record the use of the seat belt restraint
system by the driver and
front passenger when the SRS front
airbags are inflated.
Be sure to wear your seat belt properly.
CAUTION
The driver or front passenger who is too close to the
steering wheel or dashboard during airbag deployment
can be killed or seriously injured. Lexus strongly
recommends that:
 The driver sit as far back as possible from the
steering wheel while still maintaining control of the
vehicle.
 The front passenger sit as far back as possible from
the dashboard.
 All vehicle occupants be properly restrained using
the available seat belts.
 SRS side airbags
In response to a severe side impact, the SRS side airbags
for the driver or front passenger work together with the
seat belts to help reduce injury by inflating. The SRS side
airbags help to reduce injuries mainly to the driver’s or
front passenger’s chest.
The SRS side airbag on the passenger seat is activated even
with no passenger in the front seat.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic
module, which will record the use of the seat belt restraint
system by the driver and front passenger when the SRS side
airbags are inflated.
Be sure to wear your seat belt properly.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
142Deployment of the airbags happens in a fraction of a second,
so the airbags must inflate with considerable force. While the
system is designed to reduce serious injuries, primarily to the
head and chest, it may also cause other, less severe injuries
to the face, chest, arms and hands. These are usually in the
nature of
minor burns or abrasions and swelling, but the force
of a deploying airbag can cause more serious injuries,
especially if an occupant’s hands, arms, chest or head are in
close proximity to the airbag module at the time of deployment.
This is why it is important for the occupant to: avoid placing any
object or part of the body between the occupant and the airbag
module; sit straight and well back into the seat; wear the
available seat belt properly; and sit as far as possible from the
airbag module, while still maintaining control of the vehicle.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover
and inflator) may be hot for several minutes after deployment,
so do not touch! The airbags inflate only once. The windshield
may be damaged by absorbing some of the force of the
inflating airbag.
CAUTION
 The SRS airbag system is designed only as a
supplement to the primary protection of the driver
side and front and second outside passenger side
seat belt systems. The front and second outside seat
occupants can be killed or seriously injured by the
inflating airbags if they do not wear the available seat
belts properly. During sudden braking just before a
collision, an unrestrained driver, front passenger or
second outside passenger can move forward or
sideways into direct contact with or close proximity
to the airbag which may then deploy during the
collision. To ensure maximum protection in an
accident, the driver and all passengers in the vehicle
must wear their seat belts properly. Wearing a seat
belt properly during an accident reduces the chances
of death or serious injury or being thrown out of the
vehicle. For instructions and precautions
concerning the seat belt system, see “Seat belts” on
page 123.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
146
Do not allow a child to stand up or to kneel on the
front passenger seat, since the front airbag inflates
with considerable speed and force. Otherwise, the
child may be killed or seriously injured.
 Do not hold a child on your lap or in your arms. Use
a child restraint system in the second or third seat.
For instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see “Child restraint” on page 150.Do not put objects or your pets on or in front of the
dashboard or steering wheel pad that houses the
front airbag system. They might restrict inflation or
cause death or serious injury as they are projected
rearward by the force of the deploying airbags.
Likewise, the driver and front passenger should not
hold objects in their arms or on their knees.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
148
Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts
where the side airbags inflate. Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly,
causing death or serious injury.
 Do not modify or remove any wiring. Do not modify,
remove, strike or open any components, such as the
steering wheel pad, steering wheel, column cover,
front passenger airbag cover or airbag sensor
assembly. Doing so may cause sudden front airbags
inflation or disable the system, which could result in
death or serious injury.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or upholstery of
front seats with side airbags. Such changes may
disable the system or cause the side airbags to inflate
accidentally, resulting in death or serious injury.
 Do not disassemble or repair the front pillars and roof
side rail containing the curtain shield airbags. Such
changes may disable the system or cause the curtain
shield airbags to inflate accidentally, resulting in
death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death
or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repairs and modifications.NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS in some
cases.
 Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
twoway radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player
 Modification of the suspension system
 Modification of the front end structure and side
structure of the passenger compartment
 Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,
etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment to
the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front end
structure, console, steering column, steering wheel,
dashboard near the front passenger airbag or front
seats

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
150
The surface of the seats with the side airbags or the pad
section of the steering wheel or front passenger airbag
cover (shaded in the illustration) is scratched, cracked, or
otherwise damaged.
 The portion of the front pillars and roof side rail garnish
(padding) containing the curtain shield airbags inside
(shaded in the illustration) is scratched, cracked, or
otherwise damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables before contacting
your Lexus dealer.
CHILD RESTRAINT
Child restraint precautions
Lexus strongly urges the use of child restraint systems for
children small enough to use them.
The laws of all 50 states in the U.S.A. now require the use of
a child restraint system.
Your vehicle conforms to SAE J1819.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child should
sit in the rear seat and must be restrained using the vehicle’s
seat belt. See “Seat belts” on page 123 for details.
CAUTION
 For effective protection in automobile accidents and
sudden stops, a child must be properly restrained,
using a seat belt or child restraint depending on age
and size. Holding a child in your arms is not a
substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident,
the child can be crushed against the windshield, or
between you and the vehicle’s interior if you are
unrestrained.
 Lexus strongly urges use of a proper child restraint
system which conforms to the size of the child
installed on the rear seat. According to accident
statistics, the child is safer when properly restrained
in the rear seat than in the front seat.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
171
When using the left side lower anchorages for the
child restraint system, do not sit in the center seat.
The performance of the center seat belt cannot be
brought out sufficiently because the belt may be
highpositioned or the seat belt may be loosefitting,
posing the risk of serious injury in the case of
collision.
DRIVING POSITION MEMORY
SYSTEM
A microcomputer will memorize the position of the driver’s
seat, and the positions of the tilt and telescopic steering, and
outside rear view mirrors. Two dif ferent driving position profiles
can be entered into the computer’s memory.
Recording the driving position in the computer’s memory can
only be done when the ignition key is in the “ON” position and
the selector lever is in the “P” position.
Setting the driving position
1. Adjust the driver’s seat, tilt and telescopic steering and
outside rear view mirrors to the desired position.
2. While pushing the “SET” button, push button “1” or “2”
until the signal beeps.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
172The beep sound means that the positions are recorded in the
computer’s memory.
By repeating these two steps and pressing the remaining
button,
the driving position for another driver can be recorded.
To set a new memorized position, select the desired position
and perform step 2. The previous memory will be erased and
the new position will be set.
To make only slight changes to an already memorized position,
the easiest way is to first activate the memorized position, then
make the desired changes and perform step 2 above.
Recalling the memorized position
When you push button “1” or “2”, the driving position will
be automatically adjusted to the position recorded for that
button. Conditions for memorized position activation

Ignition key “ON” and selector lever in “P” position.
All parts of the memorized positions can be activated.
 Key not in ignition switch and within 30 seconds of opening
driver’s door.
The memorized position can be activated, except for the tilt
and telescopic steering.
If any driving position memory switch is pushed while one of the
memorized driving position profiles is being activated, the
operation will stop.
To activate the system, push the desired button (“1” or “2”)\
again.
The driving position memory control system cannot be
operated while the vehicle is moving.
If the vehicle’s battery is disconnected, the computer’s
memory will be erased and the memorized positions will have
to be set again.
CAUTION
 Do not start the vehicle while the adjustments are
being made.
 Take care not to select the wrong button, or the seat
could strike the rear passenger or hit your body
against the steering wheel. If this happens, you can
stop the movement by pressing another driving
position memory switch.

AUDIO
214
Audio remote controls (steering switches)
The switches are installed on the left side of the steering wheel.
“MODE” switch: Use this switch to turn on or off the audio
system, or change the audio mode.
 To turn on the system, push the switch briefly. To turn off the
system, push and hold the switch until you hear a beep.
 To change the audio mode, turn on the system and push the
switch briefly. If a tape or compact disc is not inserted, the
“TAPE” or “CD” mode is skipped.
“+
” switch: Use this switch to adjust the volume.
To increase the volume, push the “+” side. To decrease the
volume, push the“–” side. The volume continues to increase
or decrease while the switch is being pressed. (a) When the radio mode is selected
“
” or “” switch:
Use this switch for seek tuning or to
select a preset station.
 To select a preset station, push this switch briefly. The
station you assigned to a switch on the audio system will be
selected.
 To seek a station, push and hold this switch until you hear
a beep. The radio will begin seeking up or down for a station,
and will stop on reception.
(b) When the “TAPE” mode is selected
“
” or “” switch: Use this switch to fast forward or rewind
the tape or for automatic program selection.
 To skip forward or reward for automatic program selection,
push this switch briefly. When automatically selecting a
program, you can skip up to 9 programs at a time. For
details, see page 207 for details.
 To fast forward or rewind the tape, push this switch until you
hear a beep. To stop fast forwarding or rewinding, push and
hold the same side on the switch until you hear a beep.
(c) When the “CD” mode is selected
“
” or “” switch: Use this switch to select a desired track
or disc.
 To select a desired track, push this switch briefly.
 To select a desired disc, push and hold this switch until the
desired number of the disc appears and you hear a beep.

SECTION 3 – 1
296
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three−way catalytic converters297
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Engine exhaust caution 298
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Before starting the engine 299
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Ignition switch with steering lock 300
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Parking brake 301
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How to start the engine 302
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Automatic transmission 303
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Four−wheel drive system 309
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Cruise control 312
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Rear height control air suspension 315
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Electronic modulated suspension 320
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Active traction control system 321
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Vehicle skid control system 323
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Downhill assist control system 326
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Hill −start assist control system 329
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Brake system 331
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 335
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Limited −slip differential 336
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Types of tires 336
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STARTING AND DRIVING
299
To allow proper operation of your vehicle’s
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
 If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with
the windows open and the back door closed. Have
the cause immediately located and corrected.BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height
and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when turning the key to “ON”, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.