wheel Lexus GX470 2006 Basic Functions In Frequent Use / LEXUS 2006 GX470 (OM60B99U) Service Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
358
NOTICE
For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads,
unlock the center differential. To prevent damage to the
center differential lock system, do not push the center
differential lock switch when the vehicle is cornering or
when its wheels are spinning freely of f the ground. If the
indicator light does not go off when unlocking the
center differential, drive straight ahead while
accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
REAR VIEW MONITOR SYSTEM
The rear view monitor system assists the driver by
displaying an image of the rear of the vehicle while
backing up. The displayed image on the screen is a
horizontally reversed mirror image of the inside rear view
mirror.
To display the rear view image on the screen, place the
selector lever in the “R” position when the ignition switch
is in the “ON” position.
If you move the selector lever out of the “R” position, the screen
returns to the previous screen. Operating another function of
the navigation system will display another screen.
The rear view monitor system is a supplemental device
intended to assist back up. When backing up, be sure to check
behind and all around the vehicle visually.

STARTING AND DRIVING
372We recommend you to select the mode

2
for ordinary
driving. The damping effect will be changed automatically to
provide good riding comfort.
When your vehicle is loaded heavily or you are driving in an
unpaved road, the mode
3
or 4
will be recommended. To
provide good vehicle stability, the damping effect will be harder
than for ordinary driving mode.
With the four−wheel drive control lever at “L”, the damping
effect suitable for off −road driving will be provided in any mode.
ACTIVE TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM
The active traction control system automatically helps
prevent the spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is
started or accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to “ON”, the system
automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power to the 4 wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.

STARTING AND DRIVING
373
Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during the ordinary driving so that it
can operate when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the active traction control
system is in the self−check mode, but does not indicate a
malfunction.
When the active traction control system is operating, the
following conditions occur:
 The system controls the spinning of the 4 wheels. At this
time, the slip indicator light blinks.
 You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly. 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.
The brake actuator temperature increase 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 active traction control system
can no longer operate. In this case, immediately stop your
vehicle 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 the time, the slip indicator light
will come on and the active traction control system temporarily
stops operating in order to protect the brake actuator.
(Although the active traction control system does not operate,
there 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
375
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROLSYSTEM
The vehicle stability control system helps provide
integrated control of the systems such as antilock brake
system, traction control, engine control, etc. This system
automatically controls the output of the brakes or engine
to help prevent the vehicle from skidding when cornering
on a slippery road surface or operating steering wheel
abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle speed about more than
15 km/h (9mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the system is in the
self−check mode, but does not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
 Do not rely excessively on the vehicle stability
control system. Even if the vehicle stability control
system is operating, you must always drive carefully
and attentively to avoid serious injury. Reckless
driving will result in an unexpected accident. If the
slip indicator light blinks and an alarm sounds,
special care should be taken while driving.
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
stability 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
377

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
“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 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 “ON”.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to “ON”.
 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 fourwheel drive control lever in the “L” position,
push the “DAC” 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 surfaces or offroad surfaces on which sliding can
easily occur, such as extremely steep slopes or icy or
muddy roads.

STARTING AND DRIVING
378
Turning on the system
1. Shift the fourwheel drive control lever to the “L”
position.
The system will not operate if the four−wheel drive control lever
is in the “H” position.
2. In order to make full use of the engine brake, putting the
transmission in “L” or “2” is recommended.
The system will operate even if the transmission selector lever
is in “D”, “4”, “3” or “N”. However, when it is in “L” or “2” the
engine brake can also be utilized enabling the system to
operate more effectively.
3. Push the “DAC” switch to turn the system on. The
downhill assist control system indicator light on the
instrument panel will come on. If the downhill assist control system indicator light flashes, the
transmission selector lever may be in “N” or four
−wheel drive
control lever may be in the “H” 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
384You 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.
Antilock brake system
The antilock brake system is designed to automatically
help prevent lockup 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.
The anti−lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately
10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle
decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery road surfaces such as
on a manhole cover, a steel plate at a construction site, joints
in a bridge, etc. on a rainy day tends to activate the anti −lock
brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the engine is started or
just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that the
anti−lock brake system is in the self −check mode, and does not
indicate a malfunction.
When the antilock brake system is activated, the
following conditions may occur. They do not indicate a
malfunction of the system:
 You may hear the anti −lock brake system operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsating and the vibrations of the vehicle
body and steering wheel. You may also hear the motor
sound in the engine compartment even after the vehicle is
stopped.
 At the end of the anti−lock brake system activation, the
brake pedal may move a little to the forward.

STARTING AND DRIVING
385
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the antilock brake system:
Although the antilock brake system assists in
providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care and maintain a moderate speed and
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, because
there are limits to the vehicle stability and effectiveness
of steering wheel operation even with the antilock
brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its capability, or if
hydroplaning occurs during high speed driving in the
rain, the antilock brake system does not provide
vehicle control.
Antilock brake system is not designed to shorten the
stopping distance: Always drive at a moderate speed
and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles without an antilock
brake system, your vehicle may require a longer
stopping distance in the following cases:
 Driving on rough, gravel or snowcovered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.
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 antilock 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
386“ABS” warning light
1U.S.A.2Canada
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
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 “ABS” 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 “ABS” 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. If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the components monitored
by the warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the “ON” position, or remains on.
 The light comes on while you are driving.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on together with the
brake system warning light, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock brake system will fail
but also the vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking.
Either of the following conditions may occur, but do not
indicate a malfunction:
 The light may stay on for about 60 seconds after the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position. It is normal if it turns off
after a while.
 Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the
light. It is normal if it turns off after a few seconds.

STARTING AND DRIVING
388If the low tire pressure warning light comes on or blinks,
do the following.
If the warning light comes on:
Stop your
vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible and
check that the inflation pressure of all tires (including the
spare tire) is as specified on the tire and loading
information label. (See “Checking tire inflation pressure”
on page 523.) If the warning light comes on even after tire
inflation pressure adjustment, you may have a flat tire. If
you have a flat tire, replace it with the spare tire. For
details, see “If you have a flat tire” on page 432.
The warning light goes off a few minutes after air is put into the
deflated tire.
This warning light may turn on due to natural causes such as
natural air leaks or tire pressure changes caused by
temperature. In this case, adjusting the tire pressure will turn
off the warning light.
CAUTION
When the low tire pressure warning light comes on,
observe the following instructions:
 Depending on the conditions, reduce to an
appropriate speed as soon as possible.
 Adjust the tire pressure to the specified level as soon
as possible.
 Avoid abrupt steering wheel maneuvering and
braking. Tire deterioration may reduce steering
wheel control and brake effectiveness. This may lead
to serious injury or death.
 The tire pressure warning system may not activate
immediately if sudden bursts of air leakage occur.