engine Lexus GX460 2013 Owner's Manual

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2-5. Driving information
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NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the engine or
other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
●Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift quality,
locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ultimately dam-
age.
●Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and transfer case, reduc-
ing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the
depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive slowly and
avoid deep water.
■Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake discs may
affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system components.
●Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driving that
has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled mainte-
nance information, refer to the “Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual
Supplement” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.
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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
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Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■Pre-winter preparations
● Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific gravity of
battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of
tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumulated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that
may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the brakes.
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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
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Connecting and disconnecting a trailerStop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
● Connecting a trailer
Set the rear height control air suspension to N mode.
Turn off the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the rear height
control air suspension.
Connect the trailer.
Turn on the switch that was turned off on .
● Disconnecting a trailer
Set the rear height control air suspension to N mode.
Turn off the rear height control air suspension.
Turn off the “ENGINE START STOP” switch.
Set the supporting leg of the trailer on the ground and raise the
hitch by 4 in. (100 mm)
Turn on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch.
Turn on the rear height control air suspension.
Wait until vehicle height is stabilized.
Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If the hitch does not disconnect,
raise the hitch higher and repeat steps 2 through 7.
STEP1STEP1
STEP2STEP2
STEP1STEP3STEP3
STEP1STEP4STEP4STEP2STEP2
STEP1STEP1
STEP2STEP2
STEP1STEP3STEP3
STEP1STEP4STEP4
STEP1STEP5STEP5STEP5
STEP1STEP5STEP6STEP6STEP6
STEP1STEP5STEP6STEP7STEP7
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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
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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. 74 9 )
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2-5. Driving information
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into 3, 2, L, or R (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
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2-5. Driving information
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■AVS (adaptive variable suspension system)
The suspension can be switched for improvement in driveability. (→P. 3 2 5 )
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components (such as
an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Lexus recommends that you
do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start tow-
ing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed of less
than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle acceleration.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Owner’s Guide”, “Warranty and Services Guide”,
“Owner’s Manual Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can adversely
affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer should stabilize.
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3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)Rear outlets (vehicles without a re
ar automatic air conditioning sys-
tem)
Direct air flow to the left or right,
up or down.
Turn the knob to open or close
the vent.
■Air conditioning system settings
When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned on, the air conditioning system
settings will be set to those that were in use the last time the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch was turned off.
Air conditioning system settings are memorized individually on each electronic key,
so the settings reproduced will be specific to the key that is used.
■Using automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically according to the temperature setting and ambi-
ent conditions. As a result, the following may occur.
●Immediately after the switch is pressed, the fan may stop for a while until warm
or cool air is ready to flow.
●Cool air may flow to the area around the upper body when the heater is on.
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3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)
■Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
Recirculated air mode or outside air mode may be automatically switched to in
accordance with the temperature setting, the inside temperature, outside tempera-
ture, etc.
■Using the system in recirculated air mode
The windows will fog up more easily if the recirculated air mode is used.
■When the outside temperature exceeds 75 °F (24 °C) and the air conditioning
system is on
●In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air conditioning
system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically.
This may also reduce fuel consumption.
●Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode.
●It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing .
■Window defogger feature
Recirculated air mode may automatically switch to
(outside air) mode in situ-
ations where the windows need to be defogged.
■Automatic mode for air intake control (vehicles with a rear automatic air condi-
tioning system)
In automatic mode, the system detects exhaust gas and other pollutants and auto-
matically switches between outside air and recirculated air modes.
When the air conditioning is off, and the fan is operating, turning automatic mode
on will activate the air conditioning system.
■Micro dust and pollen filter
●In order to prevent the windows from fogging up when the outside air is cold,
the following may occur.
• Outside air mode does not switch to (recirculated air) mode.
• The air conditioning system operates automatically.
• The operation cancels after 1 minute.
●In rainy weather, the windows may fog up. Press .
■When outside air temperature is below 32 °F (0 °C)
The cooling and dehumidification function may not operate even when the “A/C”
button is pressed.
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3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
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■When the “A/C ON” in the multi-information display (accessory meter) flashes
Press
the “A/C” button and turn off the cooling and dehumidification function and
turn it on again. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indica-
tor light continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it inspected
by your Lexus dealer.
■Air conditioning odors
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to be
emitted from the vents.
●To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditio ning system be set to outside air mode
prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning system is started in AUTO mode.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. enable/disable automatic operation of the air conditioning compres-
sor when the “AUTO” switch ON) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 788)
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The dif-
ference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the windshield can
cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the engine
is stopped.
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3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
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Adjusting the position and opening and closing the air outlets
Roof side outlets Direct air flow to the left or right,
up or down.
Turn the knob fully to the back of
the vehicle to close the vent.
■Air conditioning system settings
When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned on, the air conditioning system
settings will be set to those that were in use the last time the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch was turned off.
Air conditioning system settings are memorized individually on each electronic key,
so the settings reproduced will be specific to the key that is used.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the engine
is stopped.
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