ignition switch Lexus GX470 2003 Electrical Components / LEXUS 2003 GX470 (OM60979U) Service Manual

AUDIO
251
(c) Selecting the DVD mode

1 Controller button2 Mode selection screen
To select the DVD mode, push the “DVD” button on the
controller.
You can also select the DVD mode on the mode selection
screen mentioned above.
“DVD” appears on the screen.
The “DVD Hint!” screen appears when the DVD mode is
first selected after you turn the ignition key to the “ACC”
or “ON” position.
Push the “OK” switch when you read the message.

SECTION 3 – 1
296
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three−way catalytic converters297
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 298
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 299
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 300
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 301
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
How to start the engine 302
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 303
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four−wheel drive system 309
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 312
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Rear height control air suspension 315
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic modulated suspension 320
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Active traction control system 321
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 323
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Downhill assist control system 326
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hill −start assist control system 329
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 331
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 335
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limited −slip differential 336
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 336
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .

STARTING AND DRIVING
300
IGNITION SWITCH WITH STEERINGLOCK
“START” Starter motor on. The key will return to the
“ON” position when released.
For starting tips, see page 302.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle of the tachometer, fuel
gauge or engine coolant temperature gauge returns to the
bottom position when the ignition switch is turned to the
“START” position.
“ON” Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
It is not malfunction even if the needle on the speedometer may
move when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the “ON” position if the engine
is not running. The battery will discharge and the
electronic ignition system could be damaged.
“ACC” Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.
If you leave the key in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and open
the driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.

STARTING AND DRIVING
303
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in “ON”
position ()
31PY039
The shift position is displayed beside the selector lever
and on the instrument cluster.
P: Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive possible)
4: Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive not
possible)
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from “D” to “4”, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
314.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking

STARTING AND DRIVING
312
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle at a
desired speed over about 40 km/h (25 mph) with your foot
off the accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or down a gradient, within
the limits of engine performance. On steeper hills, a greater
speed change will occur so it is better to drive without the cruise
control.
When the cruise control is on, the driving pattern of the
automatic transmission is fixed in the normal position,
regardless of the position of the driving pattern selector switch.
CAUTION
 To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snowcovered) or winding roads.
 Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.
Turning on the system
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This turns
the system on. The indicator light in the instrument cluster
shows that you can now set your desired cruising speed.
Another push on the switch will turn the system completely off.
When the ignition key is turned off, the main switch is also
automatically turned off. To use the cruise control again, push
the main switch again to turn it on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep
the main switch off when not using the cruise control.

STARTING AND DRIVING
319
(e) Height control indicator lights
 1 Height control indicator lights

2 Height control “OFF” indicator light
When the ignition switch is turned on, all the indicator lights
come on. Only the indicator light showing the present mode
remains on and all other lights go off after a few seconds. This
means the system operates correctly.
When you change the vehicle height mode, the indicator lights
change as follows:
When changing the vehicle height from the “N” mode to
“HI”:
1. The “N” mode indicator light goes off and the “HI” mode
indicator light blinks.
2. After the vehicle height control reaches the “HI” mode, the
“HI” mode indicator light remains on. If the underbody of the vehicle has touched the surface on
bumpy roads or the area around the rear suspension is
coated with ice, the height control suspension will not
operate and the indicator lights change as follows:
1. The present mode indicator light goes off and the selected
mode indicator light blinks.
2. The selected mode indicator light goes off. (The vehicle
height does not change.) The present mode indicator light
comes on again.
Height control “OFF” indicator light:
When the ignition
switch is turned on, this light comes on. If it goes out after a few
seconds, the rear height control air suspension operates
correctly. If you push the “HEIGHT CONTROL OFF” switch,
the rear height control air suspension is turned off. The height
control “OFF” indicator light comes on.
In the following cases, there is a problem somewhere in the
rear height control air suspension. Although there is no
problem to continue normal driving, have the rear height
control air suspension checked by your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned on.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light blinks.

STARTING AND DRIVING
324
Only use tires of specified size. The size,
manufacturer, brand and tread pattern for all 4 tires
should be the same. If you use the tires other than
specified, or different type or size, the vehicle skid
control system may not function correctly. When
replacing the tires or wheels, contact your Lexus
dealer.
 In situations where the road surface is covered with
ice or snow, your vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.
 Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator
light blinks and an alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving. The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
Pushing the center differential lock switch automatically
turns
the vehicle skid control system off. At this time, the
“VSC OFF” indicator comes on with the center differential
lock indicator light.
“VSC OFF” indicator light comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition key is turned to “ON”. It will come on again when
you push the center differential lock switch to turn off the
system.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
 The indicator light does not come on when the ignition key
is turned “ON”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
327
If the indicator light does not come on when the switch is
pushed, contact your Lexus dealer.

Slip indicator light
With the vehicle traveling at a speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) or
less, release your foot from the accelerator or brake pedal to
activate the system. The vehicle will descend the hill at a low
speed. While the system is operating, the slip indicator light on
the instrument panel will flash and the stop lights and high
mounted stoplight will be lit.
If you push the “DAC” switch to turn the system off while it is
in operation, the system will stop operating gradually. The
downhill assist control system indicator light will flash to alert
the driver. To continue driving at a low speed, push the “DAC”
switch to turn the system on.
The slip indicator light and downhill assist control system
indicator light come on for a few seconds when the ignition key
is turned to “ON”. If any of the indicator lights does not come
on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus dealer. If the system is used frequently, the brake actuator
temperature
may become too high and a buzzer will sound
intermittently.
If this happens, the downhill assist control system indicator
light will flash and a buzzer will sound intermittently. When the
temperature of the brake actuator goes down, the system will
begin to operate again. Until it restarts, the active traction
control system and hill−start assist control system will not
operate; however, the conventional brake can be operated.

STARTING AND DRIVING
328
“VSC TRAC” warning light
If there is any abnormality in the system, the “VSC TRAC”
warning light will come on. When the “DAC” switch is
pushed, the downhill assist control system indicator light
also flash.
If the “VSC TRAC” warning light comes on, there may be an
abnormality in any of the following systems in addition to the
downhill assist control system.
Hill− start assist control system
 Active traction control system
 Vehicle skid control system
When the system is normal and the ignition key is turned to
“ON”, the warning light will come on and will go off after a few
seconds. It is not a malfunction that the warning light may stay
on for 60 seconds after the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position. Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the light.
It is normal if it goes out after a few seconds.
The brake actuator temperature increases during continuous
operation of
the above mentioned system on such as slippery
roads. If the brake actuator temperature becomes too high
while any of the systems is operating, a buzzer will start to
sound intermittently to indicate that the downhill assist control
system can no longer operate. In this case, stop your vehicle
immediately at a safe place.
If the system continues to operate, the buzzer sound changes
from intermittent to continuous. (The continuous buzzer
sounds for about 3 seconds.) At this time, the “VSC TRAC”
warning light will come on and the downhill assist control
system stops operating temporarily in order to protect the
brake actuator. (Although the downhill assist control system
does not operate, it is no problem to continue your driving.) The
system will be automatically restored after a short time and the
“VSC TRAC” warning light goes out.
If the warning light comes on while driving, the system does not
work. However, as normal braking operates when being
applied, it is no problem to continue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
 The warning light does not come on after the ignition key is
turned to “ON”.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to “ON”.
 The warning light comes on while driving.

DRIVING TIPS
353
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. For this
information, please refer to the scheduled maintenance
information in the “Owner’s Manual Supplement /
Scheduled Maintenance”.
 Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Connecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
1. Put the rear height control air suspension in the “LO” (low)
mode. Turn the ignition switch off or push the “HEIGHT
CONTROL OFF” switch to turn off the rear height control air
suspension.
2. Connect a trailer.
3. Turn the ignition switch on or push the “HEIGHT CONTROL
OFF” switch to turn on the rear height control air suspension.
Select the “N” (normal) mode with the height select switch.
Disconnecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
1. Put the rear height control air suspension in the “LO” (low)
mode. (Make sure the vehicle height is in the “LO” (low) mode
by pushing the height select switch on the “
” side.)
2. Turn the ignition switch off or push the “HEIGHT CONTROL
OFF” switch to turn off the rear height control air suspension.
3. Set the supporting leg of a trailer on the ground and raise
the hitch by 100 mm (4 in.).
4. Turn the ignition switch on or push the “HEIGHT CONTROL
OFF” switch to turn on the rear height control air suspension.
5. Wait for about 20 seconds until the rear vehicle height is
lowered by the automatic leveling function.
6. Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If not, raise the hitch
higher and repeat steps 2 through 5.
7. Move the vehicle forward in the “LO” (low) mode where the
hitch does not touch anything in the “N” (normal) mode.
8. Put the rear height control air suspension in the “N” (normal)
mode.