ECO mode Lexus GX470 2005 Engine / LEXUS 2005 GX470 (OM60B11U) Owner's Guide

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411
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see ªIf you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº on page 524.
(h) Driving in second start mode
In the second start mode, the transmission system shifts up
from second gear. Use this mode when starting your vehicle
in sand, mud, ice or snow.
To set the second start mode, push the ª2nd STRTº switch. In
the second start mode, the ª2nd STRTº indicator light comes
on. To cancel the second start mode, push the ª2nd STRTº
switch once again.
FOUR±WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
(a) Four±wheel drive control
Use the four±wheel drive control lever and center
differential lock switch to select the following transfer and
center differential modes.
The ªHº and ªLº position of the four±wheel drive control leve\
r
provides either lock or unlock mode of the center differential
depending on the center differential lock switch position.
Use the center differential lock system if your wheels get stuck
in a ditch, or when you are driving on a slippery or bumpy
surface. When the center differential is locked, the vehicle
stability control system is automatically turned off and the
center dif ferential lock and ªVSC OFFº indicator lights come on
because the function that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.

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412
NOTICE
As soon as the center differential lock switch is turnedon, the ªVSC OFFº indicator light comes on. After thewheels are out of the ditch or off the slippery or bumpysurface, turn the center differential lock switch off.Make sure the cen ter differential lock indicator light and
vehicle stability control system off indicator light turn off.
ªHº (high speed position, center differential unlocked):
Lever at ªHº, center differential lock switch left out
Use this for normal driving on all types of roads, from dry
hard±surfaced roads to wet, icy or snow±covered roads. This
position gives greater economy, quietest ride, least wear and
better vehicle control.
ªHº (high speed position, center differential locked): Lever
at ªHº, center differential lock switch pushed in
Use this for greater traction when you experience a loss of
power, such as wheel slipping, in the center differential unlock
mode.
ªNº (neutral position): Lever at ªNº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The vehicle must be
stopped. ªLº (low speed position, center differential unlocked):
Lever at ªLº, center differential lock switch left out
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use this for climbing
or descending steep hills, off±road driving, and hard pulling in
sand or mud.
In this mode, the braking feeling that occurs when the wheels
are negotiating a sharp corner is further reduced than in the ªLº
(low position, center differential locked) mode.
ªLº (low speed position, center differential locked):
Lever
at ªLº, center differential lock switch pushed in
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use this for hard
pulling in sit uations the vehicle cannot negotiate even in the ªLº
(low speed position, center differential unlocked) mode. Also,
using this mode when driving down steep off±road inclines will
help contribute to increased vehicle stability.

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413
The indicator light tells when the differential lock is engaged.
Note that the differential is not still locked as long as the
indicator light remains off.
When
the operation is not completed, the indicator blinks. If the
indicator light does not go off when you push out the center
differential lock switch, drive straight ahead while accelerating
or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
The center differential lock system operation is not completed
within 5 seconds while the cruise control system is set, cancel
the cruise control system. To cancel the cruise control system,
see ªCruise controlº on page 419. If the indicator light does not go off when you push out the
center differential lock switch, drive straight ahead while
accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
See ª(b) Shifting procedureº for further instructions.
(b) Shifting procedure
To shift between unlock and lock modes in ªHº, push the
center differential lock switch.
To shift between unlock and lock modes in ªLº,
push the
center differential lock switch.
To shift between ªHº and ªLº, stop the vehicle, put the
transmission into ªNº and move the four±wheel drive control
lever.
CAUTION
Never move the four±wheel drive control lever if wheels
are slipping. Stop the slipping or spinning before
shifting.

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422
REAR HEIGHT CONTROL AIRSUSPENSION
This rear height control air suspension controls the
vehicle height depending on the vehicle driving condition.
Select your desired height among the ªHIº (high), ªNº
(normal) and ªLOº (low) modes with the height select
switch.
(a) Vehicle height modes
ªNº (normal) mode: The vehicle height in this mode is
standard. Regardless of the number of occupants or the
luggage loading condition, the vehicle height is always
automatically adjusted to a fixed height in any mode while the
engine is running.
This mode is suitable for ordinary driving. ªHIº
(high) mode: The vehicle height is about 40 mm (1.6 in.)
higher at the rear than the ªNº mode height.
This mode is suitable when driving on the bumpy roads and
through water.
However, when the vehicle speed exceeds about 30 km/h (19
mph) or over in the ªHIº mode, the ªNº mode is automaticall\
y
selected.
CAUTION
The ªHIº mode should be used for severe off±road
driving condition only. As the vehicle's center of gravity
is higher in this setting, the vehicle may become
unstable when turning abruptly resulting in accident.
ªLOº (low) mode: The vehicle height is about 20 mm (0.8 in.)
lower at the rear than the ªNº mode height.
This mode allows you easy access to the vehicle (getting in and
out) and easy loading and unloading operation.
This mode is available when the vehicle speed is under about
12 km/h (7 mph).

STARTING AND DRIVING
424In 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 ª º (higher) or ªº (lower). The height control indicator light indicates which mode is
selected. (See ª(e) Height control indicator lightº described
below.)

Selecting the ªHIº mode
Push the height select switch on the ª º side when the vehicle
speed is under about 30 km/h (19 mph).
To change the ªNº mode to ªHIº: Push the switch once.
To change the ªLOº mode to ªHIº: Push the switch twice. It
takes about 30 se conds until the ªLOº mode changes to the ªHIº
mode.
 Selecting the ªNº mode
To change the ªHIº mode to ªNº: Push the height select
switch on the ª º side once.
To change the ªLOº mode to ªNº: Push the height select
switch on the ª º side once.
 Selecting the ªLOº mode
Push the height select switch on the ªº side while the vehicle
is stopped.
To change the ªNº mode to ªLOº: Push the switch once.
To change the ªHIº mode to ªLOº: 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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425
NOTICE
If the vehicle height is changed frequently when thevehicle is heavily loaded, the compressor mayoverheat causing the vehicle height adjustmentoperation to stop.
Before you lower the vehicle height with the heightselect switch, check under the vehicle to make surenothing to dam age the vehicle or no one to be injured
is there and that the underbody of the vehicle does not touch the ground.
After unloading, the height of a vehicle equipped with
the rear height control air suspension becomes
slightly higher than the normal vehicle height. Takesufficient care where the overhead height isrestricted.
Do not select the ªLOº mode in the bumpy roads. Ifthe underbody of the vehicle touches the ruggedroad surface, the vehicle may be damaged.

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(e) Height control indicator lights

1Height control indicator lights
2Height control ªOFFº 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 ªNº mode to
ªHIº:
1. The ªNº mode indicator light goes off and the ªHIº mode
indicator light blinks.
2. After the vehicle height control reaches the ªHIº mode, the
ªHIº 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 ªOFFº indicator light: When the ignition
switch is t
urned 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 ªHEIGHT CONTROL OFFº switch,
the rear height control air suspension is turned off. The height
control ªOFFº 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 ªOFFº indicator light does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned on.
 The height control ªOFFº indicator light blinks.

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429
(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 ªNº mode is automatically selected. If this
occurs, the height control ªOFFº 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

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430We recommend you to select the mode

2
for ordinary
driving. The damping effect will be changed automatically to
provide good riding comfort.
When 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 ªLº, 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 ªONº, 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.

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431

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 ªONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
The brake actuator temperature increase during continuous
operation of the following systems.

Active traction control system
 Vehicle stability control system
 Downhill assist control system
 Hill±start assist control
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 slip indicator 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 slip
indicator light goes out.