engine Lexus GX470 2004 Audio System / LEXUS 2004 GX470 FROM AUG. 2004 THROUGH SEP. 2004 PROD. (OM60B55U) Manual PDF

STARTING AND DRIVING
413
NOTICE
Use the LOº mode when the vehicle is stopped.Otherwise, when the vehicle speed exceeds about 12km/h (7 mph), Nº mode is selected automatically. Sobe careful when you drive in any place where theoverhead height is limited.
(b) Vehicle height mode changing condition
To change the vehicle height, it is necessary to meet the
following conditions.
 The engine should be running.
 The height control OFFº indicator light should go off. 
When selecting a mode, there is a vehicle speed limit. Refer
to the following table.
Yes = The mode can be selected.
No = The mode cannot be selected.
LOº
modeNº
modeHIº
mode
Under about
12 km/h (7 mph)Ye sYe sYe s
Under about
30 km/h (19 mph)NoYe sYe s
About 30 km/h
(19 mph) or overNoYe sNo

STARTING AND DRIVING
414In the following cases, the rear height control suspension
will not operate.

The underbody of the vehicle has touched the surface on
bumpy roads.
 The area around the rear suspension is coated with ice.
If the vehicle is moved to its usual location or the ice is removed
and the height select switch is pressed, the vehicle height
control cannot be operated. In this case, turn off and restart the
engine, then push the control switches.
(c) Vehicle height adjustment

1Higher2Lower
To change the mode, push the height select switch on
either side of  º (higher) or º (lower). The height control indicator light indicates which mode is
selected. (See (e) Height control indicator lightº described
below.)

Selecting the HIº mode
Push the height select switch on the  º side when the vehicle
speed is under about 30 km/h (19 mph).
To change the Nº mode to HIº: Push the switch once.
To change the LOº mode to HIº: Push the switch twice. It
takes about 30 se conds until the LOº mode changes to the HIº
mode.
 Selecting the Nº mode
To change the HIº mode to Nº: Push the height select
switch on the  º side once.
To change the LOº mode to Nº: Push the height select
switch on the  º side once.
 Selecting the LOº mode
Push the height select switch on the º side while the vehicle
is stopped.
To change the Nº mode to LOº: Push the switch once.
To change the HIº mode to LOº: Push the switch twice.
Even if the engine is stopped while the vehicle height is being
lowered, the operation continues for up to 25 seconds. If within
this 25 seconds, any of the side doors or the back door is
opened, operation will continue for a further 15 seconds.

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416
(d) Turning off the rear height control airsuspension
To turn off the rear height control air suspension with the
vehicle stopped, push the HEIGHT CONTROL OFFº
switch. The height control OFFº 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 OFFº indicator
light goes out and the rear height control air suspension is
turned on.
Even after the rear height control air suspension is turned off
with the HEIGHT CONTROL OFFº switch, if the vehicle speed
exceeds 30 km/h (19 mph), the rear height control air
suspension automatically selects the Nº mode.
CAUTION
If you drive through deep water over about 700 mm (28
in.) in depth, put the vehicle height in the HIº mode with
the height select switch and then turn off the rear height
control air suspension by pushing the HEIGHT
CONTROL OFFº switch.

STARTING AND DRIVING
417
NOTICE
When jacking up or installing tire chains, be sure toturn off the rear height control air suspension withthe HEIGHT CONTROL OFFº switch and stop theengine. Otherwise, the vehicle height may changebecause of the automatic leveling function resultingin accident.
If your vehicle must be towed, put the vehicle heightin the Nº mode and turn off the rear height control airsuspension. Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change because of the automatic leveling functionresulting in accident.
If your vehicle gets ditched, turn off the rear heightcontrol air suspension with the HEIGHT CONTROLOFFº switch. Otherwise, the vehicle height maychange because of the automatic leveling functionresulting in accident.

STARTING AND DRIVING
419
(f) 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
be gradually lowered. When parking for a long time, 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 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.
(g) Rear height control failure warning
If there is a problem somewhere in the rear height control air
suspension, the Nº mode is automatically selected. If this
occurs, the height control OFFº indicator light blinks and the
vehicle height control cannot be activated until the malfunction
is corrected. If this is the case, bring your vehicle to your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible and have it checked.
ELECTRONIC MODULATED SUSPENSION
This electronic modulated suspension adjusts the
damping effect on the shock absorbers with the control
switch. Select one of the 4 modes which is suited to the
driving conditions with the control switch to provide good
riding comfort and stability.
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
5Soft
6Firm

STARTING AND DRIVING
421

Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during the ordinary driving so that it
can operate when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the active traction control
system is in the self-check mode, but does not indicate a
malfunction.
When the active traction control system is operating, the
following conditions occur:
 The system controls the spinning of the 4 wheels. At this
time, the slip indicator light blinks.
 You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly. The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to ONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
VSC TRACº warning light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
following.

Active traction control system
 Vehicle stability control system
 Downhill assist control system
 Hill-start assist control system
When the system is normal and the ignition key is turned to
ONº, the warning light will come 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 ONº
position.

STARTING AND DRIVING
422Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the light.
It is normal if it goes out after a few seconds.
The brake actuator temperature increases during continuous
operation of the above mentioned systems such as on slippery
roads. If the brake actuator temperature becomes too high
while any of the systems is operating, a buzzer will start to
sound intermittently to indicate that the active traction control
system can no longer operate. In this case, immediately stop
your vehicle at a safe place.
If the system continues to operate, the buzzer sound changes
from intermittent to continuous. (The continuous buzzer
sounds for about 3 seconds.) At the time, the VSC TRACº
warning light will come on and the active traction control
system temporarily stops operating in order to protect the
brake actuator. (Although the active traction control system
does
not operate, there is no problem to continue your driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time and
the VSC TRACº warning light goes out.
If the light comes on while driving, the active traction control
system does not work. However, as normal braking operates
when being 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 ONº.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to ONº.
 The warning light comes on while driving.
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL
SYSTEM
The vehicle stability control system helps provide
integrated control of the systems such as anti-lock brake
system, traction control, engine control, etc. This system
automatically controls the output of the brakes or engine
to help prevent the vehicle from skidding when cornering
on a slippery road surface or operating steering wheel
abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle speed about more than
15 km/h (9mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the system is in the
self-check mode, but does not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
 Do not rely excessively on the vehicle stability
control system. Even if the vehicle stability control
system is operating, you must always drive carefully
and attentively to avoid serious injury. Reckless
driving will result in an unexpected accident. If the
slip indicator light blinks and an alarm sounds,
special care should be taken while driving.

STARTING AND DRIVING
425

The warning light comes on while driving.
DOWNHILL ASSIST CONTROL
SYSTEM
The downhill assist control system is a system that
assists the deceleration of the engine brake when you
drive down a steep hill. When you are driving down a hill
with the four-wheel drive control lever in the Lº position,
push the DACº switch to limit the vehicle's acceleration.
If the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) or
less, you can descend at a constant speed.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the downhill assist control
system. It may not be able to maintain a low speed over
road surfaces or off-road surfaces on which sliding can
easily occur, such as extremely steep slopes or icy or
muddy roads.
Turning on the system
1. Shift the four-wheel drive control lever to the Lº
position.
The system will not operate if the four-wheel drive control lever
is in the Hº position.
2. In order to make full use of the engine brake, putting the
transmission in Lº or 2º is recommended.
The system will operate even if the transmission selector lever
is in Dº, 4º, 3º or Nº. However, when it is in Lº or 2º the
engine brake can also be utilized enabling the system to
operate more effectively.
3. Push the DACº switch to turn the system on. The
downhill assist control system indicator light on the
instrument panel will come on.

STARTING AND DRIVING
431
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.
CAUTION

Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your brake fluid
pressure reserve.
 Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard, much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will increase.
Anti-lock brake system
The anti-lock brake system is designed to automatically
help prevent lock-up of the wheels during a sudden brake
or braking on slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stability and steering performance
of the vehicle under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti-lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti-lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. This will result in reduced braking performance.
The anti-lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately
10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle
decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the br ake pedal on slippery road surfaces such as
on a manhole cover, a steel plate at a construction site, joints
in a bridge, etc. on a rainy day tends to activate the anti-lock
brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the engine is started or
just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that the
anti-lock brake system is in the self-check mode, and does not
indicate a malfunction.
When the anti-lock brake system is activated, the
following conditions may occur. They do not indicate a
malfunction of the system:
 You may hear the anti-lock brake system operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsating and the vibrations of the vehicle
body and steering wheel. You may also hear the motor
sound in the engine compartment even after the vehicle is
stopped.
 At the end of the anti-lock brake system activation, the
brake pedal may move a little to the forward.

STARTING AND DRIVING
434
Brake assist system
When you slam the brakes on, the brake assist system
judges as an emergency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold down the brake pedal
firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more powerful braking will be
applied. At this time, you may hear a sound in the engine
compartment and feel the vibrations of the brake pedal. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist system becomes operative after the vehicle
has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h
(6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle decelerates to a
speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
The brake assist system may not work for about 60 seconds
after the engine is started.
For an explanation of this system's warning light, see ABS
warning lightº on page 67.
Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system.
This type of brake system needs bedding-down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding-down.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM
The tire pressure warning system is designed to provide
warning when tire inflation pressure of one or more of
your tires (including the spare tire) is low. The low tire
pressure warning light comes on to inform you that low
tire inflation pressure may hamper driving.

Low tire pressure warning light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ONº
position. It goes off after a few seconds. This indicates that the
tire pressure warning system is functioning properly.