LEXUS LX470 2006 Owners Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
279
ACTIVE HEIGHT CONTROLSUSPENSION (AHC)
This active height control suspension controls the vehicle
height depending on the vehicle driving condition. Select
your desired height among the “HI” (high), “N” (normal)
and “LO” (low) modes with the height select switch.
31X600
(a) Vehicle height modes
 “HI” (high) mode
The vehicle height is about 40 mm (1.6 in.) higher at front
and about 50 mm (2.0 in.) higher at rear than the normal
mode height.
This mode is suitable when driving on bumpy roads and
through water.
This mode is available when the vehicle speed is under about
30 km/h (19 mph).
CAUTION
The “HI” (high) or “Extra high” mode should be used for
severe offroad driving condition only. Because the
vehicle’s center of gravity is higher in this setting, the
vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly,
resulting in an accident.
When the four −wheel drive control lever is put at “L”, this mode
may change to the extra high mode automatically in
accordance with the driving condition.
When the vehicle exceeds the specified vehicle speed, the
vehicle height changes to the following:
With the fourwheel drive control lever at “H” and at the
vehicle speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) or over, the normal mode
is automatically selected.
With the fourwheel drive control lever at “L” and at the
vehicle speed of 50 km/h (30 mph) or over, the vehicle
height becomes automatically about 25 mm (1.0 in.) higher
than the normal mode height. If the vehicle speed is lowered
about 20 km/h (12 mph) or le ss after that, the high mode
automatically resumes.
Extra high mode
This mode is automatically selected from the high mode
with the fourwheel drive control lever placed in “L”
position depending on the vehicle driving condition.
If the vehicle becomes stuck, the vehicle height rises
automatically to the extra high mode (slightly higher or at about
70 mm (2.8 in.) higher than normal mode height).

STARTING AND DRIVING
280In the following cases, the extra high mode changes to the high
mode automatically:

When your vehicle is no longer stuck.
 When the four −wheel drive control lever is put in a position
other than “L”.
When you push the height select switch on the “
” side
in the extra high mode, the normal mode is selected.
Since the extra high mode is automatically selected, you
cannot select this mode on purpose with the height select
switch.
 “N” (normal) mode
The vehicle height in this mode is standard.
This mode is suitable for ordinary driving.
 “LO” (low) mode
The vehicle height is about 50 mm (2.0 in.) lower at front
and about 40 mm (1.6 in.) lower at rear than the normal
mode height.
This mode allows you easy access to the vehicle (getting in
and out) and easy loading and unloading operation.
This mode is available when the vehicle is stopped. When you
start the vehicle, the normal mode is automatically selected.
NOTICE
The normal mode is automatically selected when the
vehicle begins to move in the low mode. So be careful
when you drive in any place where the overhead height
is limited.
(b) Automatic leveling function
Regardless of the number of occupants or the luggage
loading condition, the vehicle height is always
automatically adjusted to a fixed height in any mode.
However, the vehicle height cannot be raised if the vehicle load
exceeds the limits. (See page 281.)
(c) Vehicle height mode changing condition
To change the vehicle height, it is necessary to meet the
following 3 conditions.
 The engine should be running.
 All the side doors and back door should be closed.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light should go off.
When selecting a mode with the four −wheel drive control lever
at “H”, there is a vehicle speed limit. Refer to the following
table.

STARTING AND DRIVING
281
Yes= The mode can be selected.
No = The mode cannot be selected.
Low
modeNormal modeHigh
mode
At vehicle
stoppageYe sYe sYe s
Under about 30
km/h (19 mph)NoYe sYe s
About 30 km/h
(19 mph) or overNoYe sNo
In the following cases the active height control
suspension does not operate even if the above conditions
are all met.
 The brake pedal has been depressed for longer than about
5 seconds with the vehicle stopped.
 The suspension fluid temperature is lower than −30 C
(−22 F). If the engine is warmed up, the suspension fluid
temperature will be raised as the inside of the engine
compartment becomes warmer. Then the active height
control suspension becomes operable.
 Driving on bumpy roads, which may cause the suspension
to fully elongate.
 The steering wheel is operated abruptly more than 3/4 turn
with center differential lock system activated.
(d) Vehicle height adjustment
31X049b
 1
Higher 2Lower
To change the mode, push the height select switch on
either side of “ ” and “
”.
The height control indicator light indicates which mode is
selected. (See page 284.)
NOTICE
 If you change the vehicle height frequently, the pump
may overheat. To prevent this, the active height
control suspension should be stopped temporarily
for a minute between selections. Operate it again.

STARTING AND DRIVING
282
Before you lower the vehicle height with the height
select switch, check under the vehicle to make sure
that nothing to damage the vehicle or no one to be
injured is there and the underbody of the vehicle
does not touch the ground.
 After unloading, the height of a vehicl e equipped with
the active height control suspension becomes
slightly higher than the normal vehicle height. Take
sufficient care where the overhead height is
restricted.
The vehicle height cannot be raised if the vehicle load
exceeds the following limits:
 Up to 4 occupants* plus about 300 kg (661 lb.) in the normal
mode
 Up to 4 occupants* plus about 170 kg (375 lb.) in the high
mode
*About 68 kg (150 lb.) for a person
If the above load capacity is exceeded, the desired vehicle
height may not be obtained even if the height select switch is
pushed. (If the vehicle height cannot be raised in the normal
mode and the height control indicator indicates “LO”, this is
because the vehicle is loaded too heavily. Under these
conditions, drive your vehicle with due care.)
If the vehicle height cannot be raised even after unloading,
push the height select switch on the “
” side and then on the
“ ” side. If this does not work, turn off the ignition once and
then turn on. Operate the select switch again. If the vehicle height is adjusted on the slope, or with the
selector lever in a position other than “P” or “N” while the\
vehicle is stopped, you may h
ear a sound caused by the
expansion and contraction of the propeller shaft.
 Selecting the high mode:
Push the height select switch on the “ ” side when the vehicle
speed is under about 30 km/h (19 mph).
To change the normal mode to high, push the switch once.
To change the low mode to high, push the switch twice. It
takes about 30 seconds until the low mode changes to the high
mode.
 Selecting the normal mode:
To change the high mode to normal, push the height select
switch on the “
” side once.
To change the low mode to normal, push the height select
switch on the “ ” side once.
 Selecting the low mode:
Push the height select switch on the “
” side while the vehicle
is stopped.
To change the high mode to low, push the switch twice.
To change the normal mode to low, push the switch once.

STARTING AND DRIVING
283
NOTICE
Do not select the low mode on bumpy roads. If the
underbody of the vehicle touches the rugged road
surface, the vehicle may be damaged.
Even if the engine is stopped while the vehicle height is
being lowered, the operation continues for up to 12
seconds.
(e) Turning off the active height controlsuspension
31X051d
To turn off the active height control suspension with the
vehicle stopped, push the height control switch. The
height control “OFF” indicator light comes on and the
vehicle height is fixed in the same mode as the height
control switch is pushed.
This status is memorized in the system even after the engine
is stopped.
If you push the switch again, the height control “OFF” indicator
light goes out and the active height control suspension is
turned on.

STARTING AND DRIVING
284
CAUTION
If you drive through deep water over about 500 mm (20
in.) in depth, put the vehicle height in the “HI” (High)
mode with the height select switch and then turn off the
active height control suspension by pushing the height
control switch. Drive your vehicle at 30 km/h (19 mph)
or lower speed.
NOTICE
 When jacking up or installing tire chains, be sure to
turn off the active height control suspension and
stop the engine. Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change because of the automatic leveling function,
resulting in an accident.
 If your vehicle must be towed, put the vehicle height
in the normal mode and turn off the active height
control suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle height
may change because of the automatic leveling
function, resulting in an accident.
 If your vehicle gets ditched, turn off the active height
control suspension with the height control switch.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may change because of
the automatic leveling function, resulting in an
accident.
Even after the active height control suspension is turned
off with the height control switch, if the vehicle speed
exceeds 30 km (19 mph), the active height control
automatically selects the normal mode.
(f) Height control indicator lights
31X050d
 1 Height control indicator lights
2Height control “OFF” indicator light
When the ignition switch is turned on, all the indicator
lights come on. The indicator light showing the present
mode only remains on and all other lights go off after a few
seconds. This means the system operates correctly.
If you change the vehicle height mode, the indicator lights
change as follows:

STARTING AND DRIVING
285
31X052a
: Blinking \f: Illuminating
When changing the vehicle height from the normal mode
to high:
1. The “N” (normal) mode indicator light goes off and the “HI”
(high) mode indicator light blinks.
2. After the vehicle height control reaches the high mode, the
high mode indicator light remains on.
With the active height control suspension turned off, if
you operate the height select switch or the vehicle height
is changing depending on the vehicle speed, the vehicle
height control enters the ready mode. In this case, the
height control indicator lights change as follows:
1. The present mode indicator light comes on and at the same
time the ready mode indicator light blinks.
2. When the active height control suspension is turned on, the
present mode indicator light goes off and the ready mode
indicator light blinks. (The vehicle height changes.) 3. After the vehicle height has changed completely, the
changed mode indicator light stays on.
If the vehicle is loaded heavily, the vehicle height cannot
be raised even if the height select switch is operated. If the
underbody of the vehicle has touched the surface on
bumpy roads, the vehicle height cannot be lowered with
the height select switch. The height control 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 active height control suspension operates
correctly. If you push the height control switch, the active
height
control is turned off. The height control “OFF” indicator
light comes on.
In the following cases, there is a problem somewhere in your
active height control suspension. Although there is no problem
to continue normal driving, have the active height control
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
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
287
(j) Active height control failure warning
If there is a problem somewhere in the active height control
suspension, the normal mode is automatically selected. If this
occurs, the height control “OFF” indicator light blinks and the
vehicle height control cannot be activated until the malfunction
is corrected.
Stop the engine and start it again. If the height control “OFF”
indicator light goes out, the active height control suspension
returns to normal. If the height control “OFF” indicator blinks
again, bring your vehicle to your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible and have it checked.
ADAPTIVE VARIABLE SUSPENSION (AVS)
This adaptive variable suspension adjusts the damping
effect on the shock absorbers with the damping mode
select switch. Select one of the 4 modes which is suited
to the driving conditions with the damping mode select
switch to provide good riding comfort and stability.
31X053c
 1For driving on a bumpy road
2For ordinary driving such as in the city traffic
3For moderate high speed driving
4For sporty type driving such as on winding
mountain roads and high speed driving
We recommend you to select the mode
2 for ordinary
driving. The damping effect will be changed automatically to
provide good riding comfort.

STARTING AND DRIVING
288When 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.ACTIVE TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM
31X518a
Active traction control system indicator light
The active traction control system automatically helps
control the spinning of 4 wheels which may occur when
accelerating on slippery road surfaces, by controlling the
output of the brake and engine. Thus, the system assists
driver to control the driving power of 4 wheels. When you
turn the ignition switch on, the active traction control
system always turns on automatically, and the active
traction control indicator light will come on. The indicator
light will go off after a few seconds.
When active traction control is applied, the active traction
control system indicator light blinks.