Lexus GX460 2013 Owner's Manual

320
2-4. Using other driving systems
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)
Rear height control air suspension∗
Selecting vehicle heightOperating the switch changes vehicle rear height as follows: Higher
Lower
Vehicle height can be adjusted
only when the engine is running.
The selected height mode will be
shown on the rear height control
air suspension display.
The selected mode will flash while
the height mode is being changed.
∗: If equipped
The rear height control air suspension allows the driver to control vehicle
rear height in order to adjust driving conditions. Select the desired height
with the height control switch.
Height control OFF switch
Height control switch
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U).book Page 320 Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:10 AM

321
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)■
Height modes
● N mode (normal mode): For ordinary driving
Normal height
● HI mode (high mode): For driving on bumpy roads
1.6 in. (40 mm) higher than the normal rear height
HI mode cannot be selected when vehicle speed exceeds 18 mph
(30 km/h).
● LO mode (low mode): For the ease of egress/ingress and loading
luggage
0.8 in. (20 mm) lower than the normal rear height
LO mode cannot be selected when vehicle speed exceeds 7 mph
(12 km/h).
Disabling the height control
When the height control OFF
switch is pressed with the vehicle
stopped, the vehicle height is fixed
at the current height.
This status is memorized in the sys-
tem even after the engine is
stopped.
The height can be adjusted by
pressing the height control OFF
switch again.
When vehicle speed exceeds
18 mph (30 km/h), the rear height
control air suspension turns on
automatically.
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U).book Page 321 Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:10 AM

322
2-4. Using other driving systems
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)
■When HI mode is selected
The vehicle height will change to N mode when driving at the speeds of 18 mph (30
km/h).
Even if vehicle speed is then reduced to under 18 mph (30 km/h), height will not
return to HI mode.
■When LO mode is selected
The vehicle height will change to N mode when vehicle speed exceeds 7 mph
(12 km/h).
Even if vehicle speed is then reduced to under 7 mph (12 km/h), height will not
return to LO mode.
■Automatic leveling function
Regardless of the number of occupants and the luggage load, vehicle height in any
mode is always adjusted to a fixed height by the automatic leveling function.
■The rear height control air suspension will not operate in the following cases:
●The underbody of the vehicle is touching the surface of the road.
●The area around the suspension is covered with ice.
■Even if you hear an operating noise
This does not indicate a problem in the rear height control air suspension.
■Parking and stopping tips
●If you immediately stop the engine after off-road driving, or park the vehicle for
a long time, the vehicle height may gradually lower. When parking, make sure
there is nothing under the vehicle that may come in contact with the underbody.
The vehicle will return to the set height when the engine is started.
●The vehicle height may change as the temperature changes when the engine is
stopped. The vehicle will return to the set height when the engine is started.
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U).book Page 322 Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:10 AM

323
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)
■When lowering the vehicle
In order to prevent the vehicle height from rising as occupants leave the vehicle,
lowering control will occur for a short while after the engine has been stopped.
■The rear height control air suspension failure warning
●If a malfunction occurs in the rear height control air suspension, N mode is auto-
matically selected. However, the system may not switch to N mode depending
on the location of the malfunction.
●The warning message is displayed on the multi-information display, and the rear
height control air suspension cannot be activated until the malfunction is cor-
rected.
Stop the engine and start it again. If the warning message turns off, the system is
operating correctly. If the warning message continues to be displayed, have
your vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
CAUTION
■The rear height control air suspension must be turned off
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Otherwise, the automatic leveling
function may cause vehicle height to change, and you may catch part of your body
in the vehicle, resulting in an accident:
●When jacking up the vehicle, installing tire chains or tying the vehicle with chains/
wires for transportation via flat bed truck, turn off the rear height control air sus-
pension and stop the engine.
●When the vehicle must be towed or disconnecting a trailer, put the vehicle height
in N mode and turn off the rear height control air suspension.
●When the vehicle is stuck, turn off the rear height control air suspension.
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U).book Page 323 Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:10 AM

324
2-4. Using other driving systems
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)
CAUTION
■Selecting the correct height mode
●HI mode should only be used when driving on rough roads, for example when
driving off-road. Because the vehicle’s center of gravity will become higher when
in the mode, the vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, resulting in
an accident.
●Do not select HI mode when loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier.
Because the vehicle’s center of gravity will become higher when in the mode, the
vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, resulting in an accident.
●Before lowering vehicle height, check that there is no one under the vehicle.
NOTICE
■Be careful in any place where overhead space is limited
The vehicle height will rise when a higher mode is selected or cargo is unloaded.
This may cause damage to the vehicle.
■Do not select LO mode when driving on bumpy roads
If the underbody of the vehicle touches a rugged road surface, the vehicle may be
damaged.
■Changing vehicle height
Do not change vehicle height frequently.
The compressor may overheat and stop operation.
■When on the extremely uneven roads with rocks
Sometimes the vehicle height is not adjusted because it is judged as uneven road
driving.
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U).book Page 324 Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:10 AM

325
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)
AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System)∗
∗: If equipped
■Driving mode
●Mode is suitable for heavy load or driving on a unpaved road.
●With the four-wheel drive control switch at L4, the damping effect suitable for
off-road driving will be provided, regardless of the position of the AVS switch.
AVS controls the suspension according to the road and driving conditions.
Selecting an optimum driving mode allows good riding comfort and stabil-
ity.
Sport mode
For winding mountain road driv-
ing or high speed driving
Normal mode
For normal driving
Comfort mode
For bumpy road driving
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U).book Page 325 Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:10 AM

326
2-4. Using other driving systems
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)
Four-wheel drive system
Use the four-wheel drive control switch and center differential lock/unlock
switch to select the following transfer and center differential modes.
■Four-wheel drive control switch
H4 (high speed position)
Normal driving on all types of
roads.
L4 (low speed position)
Driving requiring maximum
power and traction such as
climbing or descending steep
hills, off-road driving, and hard
pulling in sand or mud, etc.
The low speed four-wheel
drive and VSC OFF indica-
tors will come on.
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U).book Page 326 Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:10 AM

327
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)
■Center differential lock/unlock switch
Lock the center differential
when your vehicle’s wheels get
stuck in a ditch or when driving
on a slippery or bumpy surface.
The center differential lock indi-
cator will come on.
Unlock the center differential
after the wheels have been
freed, or after moving to a flat,
non-slippery surface.
To unlock the center differential,
push the switch again.
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U).book Page 327 Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:10 AM

328
2-4. Using other driving systems
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)
Shifting between H4 and L4■ Shifting from H4 to L4
Stop the vehicle completely with brake pedal held down.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push and shift the four-wheel drive control switch to L4.
Maintain this condition until the low speed four-wheel drive indicator
light turns on.
■Shifting from L4 to H4
Stop the vehicle completely with brake pedal held down.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push and shift the four-wheel drive control switch to H4.
Maintain this condition until the low speed four-wheel drive indicator
light turns off.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U).book Page 328 Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:10 AM

329
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U)
■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.
GX460_OM_OM60J63U_(U).book Page 329 Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:10 AM