fuel Lexus GX470 2004 Engine / LEXUS 2004 GX470 FROM JAN. 2004 THROUGH JUL. 2004 PROD. (OM60A87U) Owner's Guide

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
104
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn the cap
counterclockwise by 90 degrees (to the pressure point
1), and then turn it an additional 30 degrees (to point2). Pause slightly before removing it.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh when the cap is
opened.
15PY017
3. The removed cap can be stored on the back side of the
fuel filler door.
Position the cap so that the hooks point to the left and right or
up and down, and set it in the receptacle on the back side of
the door.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
105
When installing the cap, turn the cap clockwise until you
hear a click. When you hear the click, the cap is fully
closed.
If the cap is not tightened securely, the malfunction indicator
lamp comes on. Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving several times. If the
indicator lamp does not go off, contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.
CAUTION

Make sure the cap is installed securely to prevent fuel
spillage in the event of an accident.
 Use only a genuine Lexus fuel tank cap for
replacement. It is designed to regulate fuel tank
pressure.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the cap, apply force only in the
turning direction to the cap. Do not pull or pry it.

AIR CONDITIONING
233
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, push the air intake
control
button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The indicator light will
come on.
For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control button
set to the OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is used during
heating, the windows will fog up more easily.
If manual on-off of the air conditioning is desired Ð
Push the A/Cº button to turn the air conditioning on and push
it again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperature
is lowered down to around 0 C (32F).
If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry weather or
removing frost or exterior fog on the windshield, turn the air
conditioning off once it is no longer required. This will improve
fuel economy. The air conditioning can be used for year-round
automatic temperature control including cooling and
dehumidifying operation.
If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the
indicator of the A/Cº button will blink. If the indicator of the
A/Cº button blinks even when the A/Cº button is pushed
again, have the compressor checked by your nearest Lexus
dealer.
(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
To remove interior fog on the windshield Ð
Push the windshield air flow button.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield Ð
1. Push the TEMPº button to set the maximum temperature.
2. Push the windshield air flow button.
3. Push the fan speed control button on the right side to obtain
a maximum air flow.
4. Leave the A/Cº button off.
When the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defogging function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used.

STARTING AND DRIVING
370
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases flowing into thethree-way catalytic converter may cause it to overheatand create a fire hazard. To prevent this and otherdamage, observe the following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level; runningout of fuel could cause the engine to misfire, creatingan excessive load on the three-way catalyticconverter.
Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed for morethan 20 minutes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle ismoving.
Keep your engine in good running order.Malfunctions in the engine electrical system, electricignition system or fuel system could cause anextremely high three-way catalytic convertertemperature.

STARTING AND DRIVING
374
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 ONº, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH WITH STEERINGLOCK
STARTº Ð Starter motor on. The key will return to the
ONº position when released.
For starting tips, see page 377.
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
STARTº position.
ONº Ð 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 ONº position.

STARTING AND DRIVING
377
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Cranking hold function
Once you turn the ignition key to STARTº position and release
it, the cranking hold function continues to crank the engine in
ONº position until it starts.
The function stops cranking the engine after about 25 seconds
maximum if the engine has not started yet. When you crank
the engine again, wait a few seconds and restart it.
If you hold the key in STARTº position, the function will keep
cranking for about 30 seconds maximum.
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in Pº. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in Nº. A
starter safety device will prevent the starter from operating if
the selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving
off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
Before crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air-fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot
engine as follows:
With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to
STARTº position, then release it.
Engine should be warmed up by driving, not in idle. For
warming up, drive with smoothly turning engine until engine
coolant temperature is within normal range.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start...
See If your vehicle will not startº on page 463.
NOTICE
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
380

1Brake pedal2Dº (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to Dº.
Always use the Dº position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the Dº position. (See (b) Using engine brakingº and (f)\
Good driving practiceº for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
When the lever is in the 4º position, the automatic
transmission system will select the most suitable gear for the
running conditions such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see (b) Using engine brakingº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
422
Non-genuine Lexus wheels are used.
 Although the tires are equipped with air pressure sensors,
the selector switch (see page 427.) is set to other tire setting.
CAUTION
The use of non-genuine wheels will cause the air
pressure sensors to transmit the electronic code in
different manner, resulting in the system failure.
 The use of different type of tires with genuine wheels
may also cause the malfunction of the system.
CAUTION
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. You should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the vehicle's tire information
placard. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability. Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as specified in the
vehicle placard and owner's manual.

SECTION 3 ± 2
430
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Off-road vehicle precautions431
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Break-in period 432
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Operation in foreign countries 433
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Tips for driving in various conditionss 433
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Off-road driving precautions 436
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Winter driving tips 439
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Dinghy towing 441
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Trailer towing 442
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 454
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Vehicle load limits 456
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Cargo and luggage 457
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DRIVING TIPS
433
OPERATION IN FOREIGNCOUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel (unleaded
and minimum octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you
much better control.
 Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle.
Avoid driving onto high, sharp-edged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire
damage such as a tire burst.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps or travelling on a
bumpy road. Otherwise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch
the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking
brake, and place the transmission in Pº. If necessary, block
the wheels.
 Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get
the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you and then press the pedal lightly.
If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are
probably w et. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while
lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake
applied. If they still do not work safely, pull to the side of the
road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.