height Lexus GX470 2005 Scheduled Maintenance Guide / LEXUS 2005 GX470 (OM60B11U) User Guide

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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).

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423
NOTICE
Use the ªLOº mode when the vehicle is stopped.Otherwise, when the vehicle speed exceeds about 12km/h (7 mph), ªNº 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 ªOFFº 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.
ªLOº
modeªNº
modeªHIº
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
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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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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(d) Turning off the rear height control airsuspension
To turn off the rear height control air suspension with the
vehicle stopped, push the ªHEIGHT CONTROL OFFº
switch. The height control ªOFFº 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 ªOFFº 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 ªHEIGHT CONTROL OFFº switch, if the vehicle speed
exceeds 30 km/h (19 mph), the rear height control air
suspension automatically selects the ªNº mode.
CAUTION
If you drive through deep water over about 700 mm (28
in.) in depth, put the vehicle height in the ªHIº mode with
the height select switch and then turn off the rear height
control air suspension by pushing the ªHEIGHT
CONTROL OFFº switch.

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427
NOTICE
When jacking up or installing tire chains, be sure toturn off the rear height control air suspension withthe ªHEIGHT 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 ªNº 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 ªHEIGHT CONTROLOFFº switch. Otherwise, the vehicle height maychange because of the automatic leveling functionresulting in accident.

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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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(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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Driving over the steps such as the joints on the road.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or
has other differences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at appropriate
pressure: The anti±lock brake system detects vehicle
speeds using the speed sensors for respective wheels'
turning speeds. The use of tires other than specified
may fail to detect the accurate turning speed resulting
in a longer stopping distance.ªABSº warning light

1U.S.A.2Canada
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ªONº
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 ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system, the brake
assist system, the active traction control system and the
vehicle stability control system do/does not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system does not
operate so that the wheels could lock up during a sudden
braking or braking on slippery road surfaces.

DRIVING TIPS
459
OFF±ROAD VEHICLEPRECAUTIONS
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has
higher ground clearance and narrower tread in relation to
the height of its center of gravity to make it capable of
performing in a wide variety of off±road applications.
Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of
gravity than ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design
feature causes this type of vehicle to be more likely to
rollover. And, utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles. An advantage
of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the road
allowing you to anticipate problems. It is not designed for
cornering at the same speeds as ordinary passenger cars
any more than low±slung sports cars designed to perform
satisfactorily under off±road conditions. Therefore, sharp
turns at excessive speeds may cause rollover.
CAUTION
Always observe the following precautions to minimize
the risk of serious personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
 In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing
a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is
moving.
 Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all
possible. Failure to operate this vehicle correctly
may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury.
 Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make
the center of the vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high
speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking
or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate
this vehicle correctly.
 Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of
its profile and higher center of gravity, your vehicle is
more sensitive to side winds than an ordinary
passenger car. Slowing down will allow you to have
better control.