light Lexus GX470 2005 Scheduled Maintenance Guide / LEXUS 2005 GX470 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM60B11U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
434If the brake pedal is depressed while the vehicle stability
control system is active, the brake pedal will become hard at
an earlier position than usual. However, the brakes will
respond to the pedal force if depressed further.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to ªONº. 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 stability control system off. At this time,
the ªVSC OFFº indicator comes on with the center
differential lock indicator light.
ªVSC OFFº indicator light comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition key is turned to ªONº. 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 ªONº.
 The indicator light remains on after the ignition is turned on.

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435

The indicator light comes on when the system is on while
driving.
NOTICE
Make sure that the center differential lock indicator light
goes off before normal driving.
ªVSC TRACº warning light
This light warns that when there is a problem somewhere in the
following. 
Vehicle stability control system
 Active traction control system
 Downhill assist control system
 Hill±start assist control
When the system is normal and the ignition key is turned to
ªONº, 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 ªONº
position.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the light.
It is normal if they go out after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the vehicle stability control
system does not work. However, as normal braking operates
when being applied, there 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 ªONº.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to ªONº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
436
The warning light comes on while driving.
DOWNHILL ASSIST CONTROL
SYSTEM
The downhill assist control system is a system that
assists the deceleration of the engine brake when you
drive down a steep hill. When you are driving down a hill
with the four±wheel drive control lever in the ªLº position,
push the ªDACº switch to limit the vehicle's acceleration.
If the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) or
less, you can descend at a constant speed.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the downhill assist control
system. It may not be able to maintain a low speed over
road surf aces or off±road surfaces on which sliding can
easily occur, such as extremely steep slopes or icy or
muddy roads.
Turning on the system
1. Shift the four±wheel drive control lever to the ªLº
position.
The system will not operate if the four±wheel drive control lever
is in the ªHº position.
2. In order to make full use of the engine brake, putting the
transmission in ªLº or ª2º is recommended.
The system will operate even if the transmission selector lever
is in ªDº, ª4º, ª3º or ªNº. However, when it is in ªLº or ª2º the
engine brake can also be utilized enabling the system to
operate more effectively.
3. Push the ªDACº switch to turn the system on. The
downhill assist control system indicator light on the
instrument panel will come on.

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437
If the downhill assist control system indicator light flashes, the
transmission selector lever may be in ªNº or four±wheel drive
control lever may be in the ªHº position.
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 ªDACº 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 ªDACº
switch to turn the system on.
The slip indicator light and downhill assist control system
indicator l
ight come on for a few seconds when the ignition key
is turned to ªONº. If any of the indicator lights does not come
on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus dealer.
The brake actuator temperature increases during continuous
operation of the following systems.
 Active traction control system
 Vehicle stability control system
 Downhill assist control system
 Hill±start assist control
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 slip indicator 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 slip indicator
light goes out.

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438
ªVSC TRACº warning light
If there is any abnormality in the system, the ªVSC TRACº
warning light will come on. When the ªDACº switch is
pushed, the downhill assist control system indicator light
also flash.If the ªVSC TRACº 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
 Active traction control system
 Vehicle stability control system
When the system is normal and the ignition key is turned to
ªONº, 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 ªONº
position.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the light.
It is normal if it goes out after a few seconds.
If the ªVSC TRACº warning light and slip indicator 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 ªONº.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to ªONº.
 The warning light comes on while driving.

STARTING AND DRIVING
439
HILL±START ASSIST CONTROL
The hill±start assist control assists you in starting to move
up a steep or slippery hill. When you start to move up the
hill slope, the system helps to prevent the vehicle from
rolling backward in the interval while you move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the hill±start assist
control. The vehicle may not be able to start
smoothly on road surfaces or off±road surfaces such
as extremely steep slopes or icy roads, on which
sliding can occur very easily.
 Do not use the hill±start assist control to stop the
vehicle. The hill±start assist control is not designed
as a function for stopping the vehicle on a uphill
slope.
The hill±start assist control will operate for 5 seconds
maximally when all of the following conditions apply.
When the transmission is in any of positions ªDº, ª4º,
ª3º, ª2º or ªLº
 When the brake pedal is not depressed
The system is designed to operate when the vehicle is starting
on an uphill slope; therefore, if the transmission is in ªPº or ª\
Nº
it will not operate. It will not operate either if the vehicle starts
to move in reverse on a slope with the transmission in the ªRº.

Slip indicator light
When the hill±start assist control is operating, the slip indicator
light flashes and an alarm sounds intermittently. At the same
time, the stop lamps and high mounted stoplight are lit.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to ªONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
440Keep in mind the following when driving.

The hill±start assist control operates for 5 seconds
maximally. If both the brake and accelerator pedals remain
undepressed for longer than 5 seconds, the buzzer will
sound at more frequent intervals and the system will
gradually stop operating.
 The hill±start assist control is not designed as a function for
stopping the vehicle on a uphill slope. When stopping the
vehicle, be sure to depress the brake pedal.
The brake actuator temperature increases during continuous
operation of the following systems.
 Active traction control system
 Vehicle stability control system
 Downhill assist control system
 Hill±start assist control
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 hill±start assist control 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 slip indicator light
will come on and the hill±start assist control stops operating
temporarily in order to protect the brake actuator. (Although
the hill±start assist control does not operate, it is no problem
to continue your driving.) The system will be automatically
restored after a short time and the slip indicator light goes out.

STARTING AND DRIVING
441
ªVSC TRACº warning light
If there is any abnormality in the system, the ªVSC TRACº
warning light will come on.
If the system malfunctions, the ªVSC TRACº warning light will
come on.
If the ªVSC TRACº warning light comes on, there may be an
abnormality in any of the following systems in addition to the
hill±start assist control.
Downhill assist control system
 Active traction control system
 Vehicle stability control system
When the system is normal and the ignition key is turned to
ªONº, 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 ªONº
position. Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the light.
It is normal if it goes out after a few seconds.
If the ªVSC TRACº warning light and slip indicator 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 ªONº.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to ªONº.
 The warning light comes on while driving.

STARTING AND DRIVING
442
BRAKE SYSTEM
This brake system has 2 independent hydraulic circuits. If
either circuit should fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your stopping distance will
increase. Also, the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses brake fluid pressurized by the pump
to power±assist the brakes. If the brake booster fails during
driving, the brake system warning light comes on and buzzer
sounds continuously. In this case, the brakes may not work
properly. If they do not work well, depress the brake pedal
firmly. If the brake system warning light comes on, immediately
stop your vehicle and contact your Lexus dealer.
The brake system warning light may stay on for about 60
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the ªONº position. It
is normal if the light turns off after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the brake
system warning light and buzzer. It is normal if the light goes
out and the buzzer stops sounding after a few seconds. You may hear a small sound in the engine compartment after
the engine is started or the brake pedal is depressed
repeatedly. This is a pump pulsating sound of the brake
system, and it is not a malfunction.
CAUTION

Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your brake fluid
pressure reserve.
 Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard, much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will increase.
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to automatically
help pr event lock±up of the wheels during a sudden brake
or braking on slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stability and steering performance
of the vehicle under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti±lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti±lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. This will result in reduced braking performance.

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444
Driving over the steps such as the joints on the road.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or
has other differences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at appropriate
pressure: The anti±lock brake system detects vehicle
speeds using the speed sensors for respective wheels'
turning speeds. The use of tires other than specified
may fail to detect the accurate turning speed resulting
in a longer stopping distance.ªABSº warning light

1U.S.A.2Canada
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ªONº
position. If the anti±lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off after a few seconds.
Thereafter, if either of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system, the brake
assist system, the active traction control system and the
vehicle stability control system do/does not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system does not
operate so that the wheels could lock up during a sudden
braking or braking on slippery road surfaces.