parking LEXUS LX470 2006 User Guide

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
195
When you are backing up,
you can adjust the mirrors
down quickly by the following operations with the ignition
on.
 Put the selector lever in the “R” position.
 Place the master switch at “L” (left) or “R” (right).
The mirrors return to the previous position by any of the
following operations.
 Put the selector lever in a position other than “R”.
 Place the master switch in the neutral position.
 Turn the ignition key to the “ACC” position.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not operate the control
or scrape the mirror face. Use a spray deicer to free the
mirror.
Folding rear view mirrors
16X015f
To fold the rear view mirrors, push the switch. To return
to their original position, push the switch again.
The rear view mirrors can be folded backward for parking in
compact areas.
CAUTION
To avoid personal injury and any mirror malfunction,
do not touch the mirror while it is moving.
 Do not drive with the mirrors folded backward. Both
the driver and passenger side rear view mirrors must
be extended and properly adjusted before driving.

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
197
Compass (vehicles without navigation
system)
16x271a
The compass indicates the direction in which the vehicle
is heading. The illustration shown above indicates that the
vehicle is heading north.Displays
Directions
N
NE
E
SE S
SW W
NWNorth
Northeast
East
Southeast South
Southwest West
Northwest
Pushing the “AUTO” button for longer than 3 seconds
turns on or off the compass display.
The compass may not show the correct direction in the
following conditions:
 The vehicle is stopped immediately after turning.
The compass does not adjust while the vehicle is stopped.
 The ignition switch is turned off immediately after turning.
 The vehicle is on an inclined surface.
 The vehicle is in a place where the earth’s magnetic field is
subject to interference by artificial magnetic fields
(underground parking, under a steel tower, between
buildings, roof parking, near a crossing, near a large
vehicle, etc.).
 The vehicle is magnetized. (There is a magnet or a metal
object on or near the inside rear view mirror.)
 The battery has been disconnected.
 Any door is open.
If the deviation is small, the compass works to calibrate the
direction automatically while the vehicle in motion.
For obtaining additional precision or for complete calibrating,
see “CALIBRATING THE COMPASS” below.

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
199
CAUTION
Do not adjust the display while the vehicle is moving.
Be sure to adjust the display only when the vehicle is
stopped.
CALIBRATING THE COMPASS (circling calibration)
16x280a
“C” appears on the display in case the circling calibration is
required due to a drastic change in the magnetic field. To
rectify this, follow the calibration procedure below.
16x270
Drive the vehicle slowly (at 8 km/h (5 mph) or lower) in a circle
until the direction is displayed. If there is not enough space to
drive in a circle, drive around the block until the direction is
displayed.
After driving in 1 to 3 circles in the above method, calibration
is complete with the direction shown on the display.
If calibration cannot be performed because of the magnetized
vehicle, etc., take your vehicle to Lexus dealer.
 Do not perform circling calibration of the compass in a place
where the earth’s magnetic field is subject to interference by
artificial magnetic fields (underground parking, under a
steel tower, between buildings, roof parking, near a
crossing, near a large vehicle, etc.).
 During calibration, do not operate electric systems (moon
roof, power windows, etc.) as they may interfere with the
calibration.

AIR CONDITIONING
211
20X073c
Your vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning filter.
The air conditioning filter may clog after long use and
reduce the air flow quantity.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency, inspect and replace
the air conditioning filter according to the maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, such
as inner city or desert areas, early replacement may be
required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please
refer to the “Owner’s Manual Supplement / Scheduled
Maintenance”.)
(e) Operating tips
 Make sure the air inlet grilles in front of the windshield are
not blocked by leaves or other obstructions.
 If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the dashboard
vents. (See “Center vents”, “Side vents” and “Lower vent”.)\
 To help cool down the interior after parking in the hot sun,
drive for the first few minutes with the windows open. After
the excess heat has blown away, close the windows.
 When driving on dusty roads, close all windows. If dust
thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehicle after
closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake
control button be left to the OUTSIDE AIR mode and the fan
speed control button be pressed to anywhere except the
“OFF” button.
 If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving in
windy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that the air
intake control button be temporarily pressed in to the
RECIRCULATED AIR mode, which will close off the outside
passage and prevent outside air and dust from entering the
vehicle interior.

SECTION 3 – 1
253
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three−way catalytic converters254
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Engine exhaust caution 255
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Before starting the engine 256
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Ignition switch 256
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. . . . . .
Parking brake 258
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. . . . . .
How to start the engine 258
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 259
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Four−wheel drive system 266
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Rear view monitor system 269
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Lexus night view system 272
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Cruise control 275
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. . . . . .
Active height control suspension (AHC) 279
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adaptive variable suspension (AVS) 287
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Active traction control system 288
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Vehicle stability control system 290
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Variable gear ratio steering system 293
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Brake system 295
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 299
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system 299
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARTING AND DRIVING
258
PARKING BRAKE
31X065
1To set: Pull up the lever. For better holding power,
first depress the brake pedal and hold it while setting
the parking brake.
2 To release: Pull up the lever slightly (1), press the
lock release button (2), and lower the lever (3).
Before leaving your vehicle, firmly apply the parking brake. For
better holding power, first depress the brake pedal and hold it
while setting the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully
released and that the parking brake reminder light is off.
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Cranking hold function
Once you turn the ignition key to “START” position and release
it, the cranking hold function continues to crank the engine in
“ON” 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 “START” 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 “P”. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in “N”. 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 AND DRIVING
260
The shift position is displayed 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
278.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) Driving in “2nd STRT” (second start) mode
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever

STARTING AND DRIVING
262
31X008e
 1Brake pedal 2“D” (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” 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 “D” position. (See “(b) Using engine braking” and\
“(f)
Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
5. 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 “4” 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 braking”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
265
(e) Parking
31X011d
 1Brake pedal 2Parking brake lever
3“P” (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Apply the parking brake fully.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “P” position.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never attempt to move the
selector lever into “P” under any circumstances.
Serious mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control
may result.
(f) Good driving practice
 If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
the fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle
slope, shift the selector lever to the “4” position. Be sure to
shift the selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the
slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or parking brake to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the
vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can cause
the transmission to overheat.

STARTING AND DRIVING
286
(g) Operation in cold weather
The active height control suspension does not operate in
cold weather when the suspension fluid temperature
drops below 30C (22F).
In this case, operating the height select switch does not
change the vehicle height. The vehicle height control enters
the ready mode and the selected height control indicator light
blinks. The active height control becomes operable if the
engine is warmed up with the suspension fluid temperature
being raised within normal operating limits. The vehicle
changes to the selected height when the vehicle height control
is in the ready mode.
When the suspension fluid temperature is around −30 C
(−22 F), the vehicle height cannot be raised even within the
available load capacity. After warming up the engine, push the
control switch on the “
” side once and then on the “ ” side
to select the desired vehicle height.
It takes longer to change the vehicle height when the
suspension fluid temperature drops below 15C (5F).
(h) Parking and stopping tips
If you immediately stop the engine to park the vehicle after
off−road driving, the vehicle height is lowered slightly as the
vehicle becomes cool. When parking, make sure there is
nothing that will be in contact with the underbody of the vehicle.
When you start the engine, the vehicle returns to the previous
height.
If you park the vehicle for a long time, the vehicle height may
gradually lower. When parking for a long time, make sure there
is nothing that will come in contact with the underbody of the
vehicle. When you start the engine, the vehicle returns to the
previous height.
If you stop the engine, the vehicle height may change in
accordance with the change in the temperature. When you
start the engine, the vehicle returns to the previous height.
(i) Installing or removing heavy equipment
If you install or remove heavy equipment exceeding 15 kg (33
lb.), the front torsion bar should be adjusted. Consult your
Lexus dealer.