ignition Lexus GX470 2004 Pictorial Index / LEXUS 2004 GX470 THROUGH OCT. 2003 PROD. (OM60A46U) Manual PDF

STARTING AND DRIVING
377
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle at a
desired speed over about 40 km/h (25 mph) with your foot
off the accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or down a gradient, within
the limits of engine performance. On steeper hills, a greater
speed change will occur so it is better to drive without the cruise
control.
When the cruise control is on, the driving pattern of the
automatic transmission is fixed in the normal position,
regardless of the position of the driving pattern selector switch.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snow-covered) or winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.
Turning the system on
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This turns
the system on. The indicator light in the instrument cluster
shows that you can now set your desired cruising speed.
Another push on the switch will turn the system completely off.
When the ignition key is turned off, the main switch is also
automatically turned off. To use the cruise control again, push
the main switch again to turn it on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep
the main switch off when not using the cruise control.

STARTING AND DRIVING
386
(e) Height control indicator lights

1Height control indicator lights
2Height control OFFº indicator light
When the ignition switch is turned on, all the indicator lights
come on. Only the indicator light showing the present mode
remains on and all other lights go off after a few seconds. This
means the system operates correctly.
When you change the vehicle height mode, the indicator lights
change as follows:
When changing the vehicle height from the Nº mode to
HIº:
1. The Nº mode indicator light goes off and the HIº mode
indicator light blinks.
2. After the vehicle height control reaches the HIº mode, the
HIº mode indicator light remains on.If the underbody of the vehicle has touched the surface on
bumpy roads or the area around the rear suspension is
coated with ice, the height control suspension will not
operate and the indicator lights change as follows:
1. The present mode indicator light goes off and the selected
mode indicator light blinks.
2. The selected mode indicator light goes off. (The vehicle
height does not change.) The present mode indicator light
comes on again.
Height control OFFº indicator light: When the ignition
switch is turned on, this light comes on. If it goes out after a few
seconds, the rear height control air suspension operates
correctly. If you push the HEIGHT CONTROL OFFº switch,
the rear height control air suspension is turned off. The height
control OFFº indicator light comes on.
In the following cases, there is a problem somewhere in the
rear height control air suspension. Although there is no
problem to continue normal driving, have the rear height
control air suspension checked by your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.
The height control OFFº indicator light does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned on.
The height control OFFº indicator light blinks.

STARTING AND DRIVING
388When your vehicle is loaded heavily or you are driving in an
unpaved road, the mode
3
or 4
will be recommended. To
provide good vehicle stability, the damping effect will be harder
than for ordinary driving mode.
With the four-wheel drive control lever at Lº, the damping
effect suitable for off-road driving will be provided in any mode.ACTIVE TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM
The active traction control system automatically helps
prevent the spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is
started or accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ONº, the system
automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power to the 4 wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.

STARTING AND DRIVING
389

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
390Depressing 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.
The 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
391
Only use tires of specified size. The size,
manufacturer, brand and tread pattern for all 4 tires
should be the same. If you use the tires other than
specified, or different type or size, the vehicle
stability control system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels, contact your
Lexus dealer.
In situations where the road surface is covered with
ice or snow, your vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.

Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator
light blinks and an alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.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.
Pushing the center differential lock switch automatically
turns the vehicle stability control system off. At this time,
the VSC OFFº indicator comes on with the center
differential lock indicator light.
VSC OFFº indicator light comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition key is turned to ONº. It will come on again when
you push the center differential lock switch to turn off the
system.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
The indicator light does not come on when the ignition key
is turned ONº.
The indicator light remains on after the ignition is turned on.

STARTING AND DRIVING
392The indicator light comes on when the system is on while
driving.
NOTICE
Make sure that the center differential lock indicator light
goes off before normal driving.
VSC TRACº warning light
This light warns that when there is a problem somewhere in the
following.
Vehicle stability control system
Active traction control system
Downhill assist control system
Hill-start assist control systemWhen 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.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the light.
It is normal if they go out after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the vehicle stability 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
394If the indicator light does not come on when the switch is
pushed, contact your Lexus dealer.

Slip indicator light
With the vehicle traveling at a speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) or
less, release your foot from the accelerator or brake pedal to
activate the system. The vehicle will descend the hill at a low
speed. While the system is operating, the slip indicator light on
the instrument panel will flash and the stop lights and high
mounted stoplight will be lit.
If you push the DACº switch to turn the system off while it is
in operation, the system will stop operating gradually. The
downhill assist control system indicator light will flash to alert
the driver. To continue driving at a low speed, push the DACº
switch to turn the system on.
The slip indicator light and downhill assist control system
indicator light come on for a few seconds when the ignition key
is turned to ONº. If any of the indicator lights does not come
on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus dealer.If the system is used frequently, the brake actuator
temperature may become too high and a buzzer will sound
intermittently.
If this happens, the downhill assist control system indicator
light will flash and a buzzer will sound intermittently. When the
temperature of the brake actuator goes down, the system will
begin to operate again. Until it restarts, the active traction
control system and hill-start assist control system will not
operate; however, the conventional brake can be operated.

STARTING AND DRIVING
395
VSC TRACº warning light
If there is any abnormality in the system, the VSC TRACº
warning light will come on. When the DACº switch is
pushed, the downhill assist control system indicator light
also flash.
If the VSC TRACº warning light comes on, there may be an
abnormality in any of the following systems in addition to the
downhill assist control system.
Hill-start assist control system
Active traction control system
Vehicle stability 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.Depressing 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 system on such as 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 downhill assist control
system can no longer operate. In this case, stop your vehicle
immediately 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 this time, the VSC TRACº
warning light will come on and the downhill assist control
system stops operating temporarily in order to protect the
brake actuator. (Although the downhill assist control system
does not operate, it 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 warning light comes on while driving, the system does not
work. However, as normal braking operates when being
applied, it 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
397 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.
Keep in mind the following when driving.
The hill-start assist control system operates for 5 seconds
maximally. If both the brake and accelerator pedals remain
undepressed for longer than 5 seconds, the buzzer will
sound at more frequent intervals and the system will
gradually stop operating.
The hill-start assist control system is not designed as a
function for stopping the vehicle on a uphill slope. When
stopping the vehicle, be sure to depress the brake pedal.
If the system is used frequently, the brake actuator
temperature may become too high and a buzzer will sound
intermittently.
In this case, a buzzer will sound intermittently. When the
temperature of the brake actuator goes down, the system will
begin to operate again. Until it restarts, the active traction
control system and downhill assist control system will not
operate; however, the conventional brake can be operated.
VSC TRACº warning light
If there is any abnormality in the system, the VSC TRACº
warning light will come on.
If the system malfunctions, the VSC TRACº warning light will
come on.
If the VSC TRACº warning light comes on, there may be an
abnormality in any of the following systems in addition to the
hill-start assist control system.
Downhill assist control system
Active traction control system
Vehicle stability 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.