ignition Lexus GX470 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 GX470 (OM60979U) Owner's Guide

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GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
41
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
 Normal range
The gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature when
the ignition switch is on. The engine operating
temperature will vary with changes in weather and engine
load.
If the needle points to the red zone or higher, stop your vehicle
and allow the engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating conditions,
such as:
 Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
 Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.
 Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in
stop−and−go traffic.
 Towing a trailer. It is not a malfunction even if the needle of the engine coolant
temperature gauge returns to “C” when the ignition switch is
turned to the “START”.
NOTICE

Do not remove the thermostat in the engine cooling
system as this may cause the engine to overheat. The
thermostat is designed to control the flow of coolant
to keep the temperature of the engine within the
specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an overheated engine.
See “If your vehicle overheats” on page 364.

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GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
42
TACHOMETER
The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of
rpm (revolutions per minute). Use it while driving to
prevent engine overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast causes excessive
engine wear and poor fuel economy. Remember, in most
cases the slower the engine speed, the greater the fuel
economy.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle of the tachometer
returns to the bottom position when the ignition switch is turned
to the “START” position.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get into the red zone. This
may cause severe engine damage.
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER
 Trip meter reset knob
This meter displays the odometer and two trip meters. To
change the mode indication, push the trip meter reset
knob briefly. Each time you push the knob, the mode
changes in order from the odometer to trip meter A to trip
meter B, then back to the odometer, etc.
The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. The twin trip meter records two different
distances independently.
For example, you can use one meter to calculate the fuel
economy and the other to measure the distance on each trip.
To set the A trip meter to zero, display the A meter reading,
push the knob and hold it. The same applies for the B trip
meter.
The data of trip meters will be cancelled if the electrical power
source is disconnected.

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GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
44IF THIS INDICATOR OR
BUZZER COMES ON ...
DO THIS.
(k)Stop and check.
(l)Stop and check.
(m)Replace engine oil.
(n)Fill up tank.
(o)Add washer fluid.
(p)Key reminder buzzerRemove key.
(a) Brake System Warning Light and Buzzer
This light comes on in the following cases when the ignition key
is in the “ON” position.
 When the parking brake is applied ...
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition key is
in the “ON” position even after the parking brake is released.
 When the brake fluid level is low ...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the
brake fluid level is low.
When the hydraulic brake booster fails ...
If the hydraulic booster causes a problem resulting in poor
braking performance, the warning light comes on and buzzer
sounds continuously.
Have your vehicle checked at your Lexus dealer in the
following cases:
 The light does not come on even if the parking brake is
applied when the ignition key is in the “ON” position.
 The light does not come on even if the ignition key is turned
on with the parking brake released.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.

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45
CAUTION
If any of the following conditions occurs, immediately
stop your vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
 The light does not turn off even after the parking
brake is released while the engine is running.
 The warning buzzer comes on together with the
warning light.
In either case, this can indicate that the brakes may not
work properly and your stopping distance will become
longer. Depress the brake pedal firmly and bring the
vehicle to an immediate stop.
 The brake system warning light remains on together
with the “ABS” warning light.
In this case, not only the antilock brake system will fail,
but also the vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking.
Any of the following conditions may occur, but do not
indicate the malfunction:
 The light may stay on for about 60 seconds after the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position. It is normal if it turns off
after a while.
 Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the
warning light and buzzer. It is normal if the light turns off and
the buzzer stops sounding after a few seconds.
 You may hear a small sound in the engine compartment
after the engine is started or the brake pedal is depressed
repeatedly. This is a pump pulsating sound of the brake
system, and it is not a malfunction.
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light and
Buzzer
This light and buzzer remind you to buckle up the driver’s seat
belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to “ON” or “START”, the
reminder light flashes and buzzer sounds if the driver’s seat
belt is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt, the light
stays flashing and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.

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46
(c) Front Passenger’s Seat Belt ReminderLight
This light reminds you to buckle up the front passenger’s seat
belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to “ON” or “START”, the
reminder light flashes if a passenger sits in the front passenger
seat and does not fasten the seat belt. Unless the front
passenger fastens the belt, the light stays flashing.
If luggage or other load is placed on the front passenger seat,
depending on its weight and how it is placed on the seat,
built−in sensors in the seat cushion may detect the pressure,
causing the reminder light to come on.
(d) SRS Warning Light
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the “ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS airbags and front seat belt pretensioners
are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensor assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies,
driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch,
front seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, warning light,
interconnecting wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the warning
light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible
to service the vehicle.
 When the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position, the light
does not come on, remains on or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front
passenger airbags have a problem. If the light flashes, the side
and curtain shield airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners have
a problem.

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47
(e) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position and goes off after the engine starts. This
means that the warning light system is operating properly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp comes on while driving,
first check the followings.
 Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immediately.
 Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions. The malfunction
indicator lamp will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp will not go off even after the several trips, contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel tank cap is not
loose ...
 There is a problem somewhere in the engine, emission
control system, electronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warning light system itself.
Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the
vehicle.
If the engine speed does not increase with the accelerator
pedal depressed down, there may be a problem somewhere
in your electronic throttle control system. At this time, vibration may occur. However, if you depress the
accelerator pedal more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic throttle control system
is corrected during low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and the ignition key is
turned to “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erroneous pedal
operation.
Emissions inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state emission inspection if the
malfunction indicator lamp remains on. Contact your Lexus
dealer to check your vehicle’s emission control system and
OBD (On−Board Diagnostics) system before taking your
vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs” on page 401.

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48
(f) “ABS” Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position. If the anti−lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off after a few seconds.
Thereafter, if either of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the following systems do not operate, but
the brake system still operates conventionally.
 Anti− lock brake system
 Brake assist system
 Active traction control system
 Vehicle skid control system
 Downhill assist control system
 Hill− start assist control system
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti −lock brake system does not
operate, so that the wheels will lock up during a sudden braking
or braking on slippery road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the components monitored
by the warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
 The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the “ON” position, or remains on.
 The light comes on while you are driving. A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on together with the
brake system warning light, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock brake system will fail
but also the vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking.
Either of the following conditions may occur, but do not
indicate a malfunction:

The light may stay on for about 60 seconds after the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position. It is normal if it turns off
after a while.
 Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the
light. It is normal if it turns off after a few seconds.

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(j) “VSC TRAC” Warning Light
The light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
following.
Vehicle skid control system
 Active traction control system
 Downhill assist control system
 Hill− start assist control system
The light will come on when the ignition key turned to “ON”, and
will go off after a few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the warning light may stay on for 60
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the lights.
It is normal if they go out after a few seconds.
There is no problem when the “VSC TRAC” warning light
comes on when the brake actuator temperature becomes high.
If the light comes on while driving, the above mentioned
systems do not work. However, as conventional braking
operates when applied, there is no problem to continue your
driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
 The warning light does not come on after the ignition key is
turned to “ON”.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to “ON”.
 The warning light comes on while driving.
(k) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off the
engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the engine drive
belt.
 If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the
battery properly.
 If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until the
battery is discharged. Turn off the air conditioning, blower,
radio, etc., and drive directly to the nearest Lexus dealer or
repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken
or loose.
(l) Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are driving, pull off the road
to a safe place and stop the engine immediately. Call a Lexus
dealer or qualified repair shop for assistance.

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51
The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is idling or
it may come on briefly after a hard stop. There is no cause for
concern if it then goes out when the engine is accelerated
slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low. It
is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must
be checked using the oil level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light on even
for one block. It may ruin the engine.
(m) Engine Oil Replacement Reminder Light
This light reminds you when to replace the engine oil.
This light will come on when the ignition key is turned to “ON”
and will go off after about a few seconds.
When you drive for about 8000 km (5000 miles) after the
engine oil replacement, this light illuminates for about 3
seconds and then flashes for about 12 seconds with the
ignition key turned to “ON” position. If you continue driving
without the engine oil replacement, and if the driving range
exceeds
12000 km (7500 miles), the light will come on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON” position. The light will remain on
thereafter.
If the light is flashing, we recommend that you replace the
engine oil at an early opportunity depending on the driving and
road condition. If the light comes on, replace it as soon as
possible. You need to reset the light after the engine oil replacement.
Reset the light by following the procedure below:
1. Turn the ignition key to the “OFF” position with the odometer
reading
shown. (For details, see “Odometer and trip meter” on
page 42.)
2. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position while holding down
the trip meter reset knob.
Hold down the knob until the light goes off. Before the light
goes off, it illuminates for 3 seconds, flashes for 2 seconds and
illuminates for 1 second.
If the system fails to reset, the light will remain flashing. In this
case, return to step 1 and try again.
(n) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the tank becomes
very low. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank,
the low fuel level warning light may come on earlier than usual.
(o) Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light comes on when the fluid level in the tank becomes
very low. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
(p) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key when you open the
driver’s door with the ignition key in the “ACC” or “LOCK”
position.

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How to check all the service reminder
indicators
(except the low fuel level warning light):
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open the door.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off when you close the door completely.
3. Place the four−wheel drive control lever in “N” position and
the selector lever in “P” position and turn the ignition key to
“ACC”.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off when you place the four −wheel drive control lever in
“H” or “L” position.
4. Turn the ignition key to “ON”.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.

w72a
w73
The following service reminder indicator goes off after a few
seconds.

The anti −lock brake system warning light, vehicle skid control
system off indicator light and vehicle skid control system and
active traction control system warning light may stay on for
about 60 seconds after the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position. It is normal if they go out after a while.