coolant temperature Lexus GX460 2012 Owner's Manual

195
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
Multi-information display
→P. 2 0 4
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Rear height control air suspension display (if equipped)
→P. 3 1 6
Shift position and shift range display
→P. 1 8 6

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■The meters and display illuminate when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■Instrument cluster brightness adjustment
The instrument cluster brightness levels when the tail lights are on and off can be
adjusted.
■The brightness of the instrument cluster lights
When the tail lights are on, the brightness will change. However, when the sur-
roundings are bright (daytime, etc.) turning on the tail lights will not change the
instrument cluster brightness.
In addition, the brightness of the instrument cluster lights is automatically adjusted
based on the light sensor detecting how bright the surroundings are.
■When disconnecting and reconnecting battery terminals
The trip meter data will be reset.
If the trip meter was displayed last, the ODO screen will be displayed after reset-
ting.
■Customization
Setting of sensitivity of the ambient light sensor used for dimming the meter lights
can be changed. (Customizable features →P. 7 8 2 )
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the
red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check
the engine after it has cooled completely. ( →P. 74 4 )

325
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■When the four-wheel drive control switch can be operated
●The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
●The shift lever is in the N position.
●The vehicle is stopped completely.
■The low speed four-wheel drive indicator light
●The indicator light blinks while switching between H4 and L4.
●If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator light continues to blink when you
operate the four-wheel drive control switch to the H4 or L4 position, stop the
vehicle completely, shift the shift lever securely into N and then operate the
switch again.
●If the shift lever is moved before the low speed four-wheel drive indicator turns
on/off, the transfer mode may not be shifted completely. The transfer mode dis-
engages both the front and rear drive shafts from the powertrain and allows the
vehicle to move regardless of the shift position. (At this time, the indicator blinks
and the buzzer sounds.)
Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the shift lever is in P. You or someone
else could be seriously injured. You must complete the shifting of the transfer
mode and confirm that the indicator light has turned off (H4) or turned on (L4).
●If the engine coolant temperature is too low, the four-wheel drive control system
may not be able to shift. When the engine is warmer operate the switch again.
If the indicator continue to blink even if doing so, have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible. There may be a trouble in the four-wheel drive
system.

382
2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)●
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making a
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making a
wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippery sur-
faces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in D.
Transmission shift range position must be in 5 in the S mode.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not
make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill
grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. ( →P. 744)

606
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move sud-
denly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury,
observe the following precautions:
■When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right after driv-
ing as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the engine
compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the battery. Fuel
and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous and
corrosive sulfuric acid.
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille:
Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is off.
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric
cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the
coolant temperature is high. (→P. 6 1 8 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting
in your eyes.

616
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on the
reservoir when the engine is cold. Reservoir cap
Full
Low
If the level is on or below the “L”
line, add coolant up to the “F” line.
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology.U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50 % coolant and 50 %
deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 °F [-35 °C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55 % coolant and 45 % deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 °F [-42 ° C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Lexus dealer.

5
When trouble arises
683
5-1. Essential information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■Visible symptoms
● Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ Audible symptoms
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
● Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, sp ongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor

744
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
If your vehicle overheats
If the engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the automatic air
conditioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam sub-
sides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: Wait until the engine coolant temperature gauge begins to
fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating: Stop the engine and call your local Lexus dealer.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

746
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■Overheating
In the following situations, your vehicle may be overheating:
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of power is
experienced.
●Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until the
steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, causing serious
injury such as burns.
●Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and engine drive belt while the
engine is running.
●Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam released
under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cold coolant to a hot engine too quickly
can cause damage to the engine.

823
Alphabetical index
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Electronic keyIf the electronic key does not
operate properly ............................ 739
Emergency, in case of
If the electronic key does not operate properly ............................ 739
If the engine will not start ............... 735
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P.................................... 737
If the vehicle has discharged
battery.................................................... 741
If the warning buzzer sounds..... 688
If the warning light turns on ......... 688
If the warning message is
displayed ............................................ 700
If you have a flat tire .......................... 721
If you lose your keys ........................ 738
If you think something is
wrong...................................................683
If your vehicle becomes stuck .....747
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency ......... 749
If your vehicle needs to be towed ....................................................677
If your vehicle overheats.................744
Emergency flashers
Switch ...................................................... 676 Engine
Accessory mode..................................179
Compartment..................................... 609
Engine switch .........................................179
Hood ....................................................... 608
How to start the engine ....................179
Identification number .......................753
If the engine will not start................735
Ignition switch ........................................179
Overheating ......................................... 744
Engine compartment cover .............. 610
Engine coolant Capacity ................................................. 757
Checking ................................................ 616
Preparing and checking before winter ................................... 366
Engine coolant temperature gauge....................................................... 195
Engine immobilizer system..................115
Engine oil Capacity .................................................755
Checking .................................................. 611
Preparing and checking before winter ................................... 366
Engine oil maintenance data............. 613
Engine switch ...........................................179
Engine switch light................................. 519
Event data recorder ........................... 685E
*: For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.