fuel consumption Lexus GX470 2005 Scheduled Maintenance Guide / LEXUS 2005 GX470 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM60B11U)

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
77
The digital clock indicates the time when the key is in the
ªACCº or ªONº position.
To reset the time, push and hold the ªMODEº button for 2
seconds. ªILLº will appear on the display. Then push the
ªMODEº button once. The time will blink.
To reset the hour Ð Push the ª
º button.
To reset the minutes Ð Push the ª
º button.
To adjust the time to the nearest hour, push the ªRESETº
button. For example, if the ªRESETº button is depressed when
the time is between 1:01 Ð 1:29, the time will change to 1:00.
If the time is between 1:30 Ð 1:59, the time will change to 2:00.
If the electric power source has been disconnected, the time
display will automatically be set to 1:00.
Outside temperature and cruise information
The following information is shown with the ignition
switch turned on. Each time you push the ªMODEº button,
the display toggles through this information.
 Outside temperature
 Average fuel consumption
 Instantaneous fuel consumption
 Driving range
 Average vehicle speed
 Barometer
 Altimeter
 Elapsed time
The displayed values indicate general driving conditions.
Accuracy varies with driving habits and road conditions.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
79

Average fuel consumption

U.S.A.

Canada
Average fuel consumption is calculated and displayed
based on total driving distance and total fuel consumption
with the engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 10 seconds.
To reset the calculations, push and hold the ªRESETº button for
more than 1 second.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
80
Instantaneous fuel consumption

U.S.A.

Canada
Instantaneous fuel consumption is calculated and
displayed based on distance and fuel consumption for 2
seconds with the engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 2 seconds.
Note that an accurate figure may not be shown in the following
cases.
 When the vehicle is stopped with the engine running, the
display will indicate extremely high fuel consumption.
 When the vehicle is driving down a long slope, with the
engine brake applied, the display will indicate extremely low
fuel consumption.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
81

Driving range

U.S.A.

Canada
The distance the vehicle can travel with the remaining fuel
is calculated and displayed based on the quantity of
remaining fuel and past fuel consumption.
The driving range display indicates the approximate distance
that you can drive until the fuel gauge reaches ªEº. It is dif ferent
from the actual distance traveled.
The displayed value is updated every time the fuel required to
travel 1 mile or 1 km is consumed.
Every time you refuel the vehicle, the calculation is reset.
The actual driving range varies with driving habits and road
conditions. If fuel consumption is good, the driving range will
be longer. If fuel consumption is poor, the driving range will be
shorter.
If the low fuel level warning light comes on, refuel even if the
display indicates that the vehicle can be driven further.

DRIVING TIPS
470
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger±and±load
carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse ef fect on
handling, performance, braking, durability and driving
economy (fuel consumption, etc.). Your safety and satisfaction
depend on the proper use of correct equipment and cautious
driving habits. For your safety and the safety of others, you
must not overload your vehicle or trailer. Lexus warranties do
not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing a trailer
for commercial purposes. Ask your local Lexus dealer for
further details before towing.
CAUTION
When disconnecting a trailer, put the vehicle height in
the ªLOº (low) mode and push the ªHEIGHT CONTROL
OFFº switch to turn off the rear height control air
suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle height may be
changed in the automatic leveling function, resulting in
accident. For details see ªRear height control air
suspensionº on page 422.
Weight limits
Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer tongue load
are all within the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with
platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.

Certification label

DRIVING TIPS
482
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKEYOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Improving fuel economy is easy Ð just take it easy. It will help
make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
 Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving Ð but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.
 Always keep the automatic transmission selector lever
in the ªDº position when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel economy.
(For details, see ªAutomatic transmissionº on page 403.)
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later. 
Avoid engine over±revving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.
 Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop±and±go driving wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traffic si gnals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
 Maintain a m oderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This
not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.

SECTION 6 ± 2
545
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications546
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Fuel 550
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Fuel pump shut off system 553
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Facts about engine oil consumption 553
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Used engine oil 554
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Checking the engine oil level 555
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Checking the engine coolant level 560
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Checking the radiator and condenser 563
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Spark plugs 564
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ENGINE
553
FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SYSTEM
The fuel pump shut off system stops supplying fuel to the
engine to minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine
stalls or an airbag inflates upon collision. To restart the engine
after the fuel pump shut off system activates, turn the ignition
switch to ªACCº or ªLOCKº once and start it.
CAUTION
Inspect the ground under the vehicle before restarting
the engine. If you find that liquid has leaked onto the
ground, it is the fuel system that has been damaged and
it is in need of repair. In this case, do not restart the
engine.
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OILCONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling
the inside of the engine, and plays a major role in maintaining
the engine in proper working order.
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some engine
oil during normal engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and cylinders.
A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall when a piston
moves downwards in the cylinder. High negative pressure
generated when the vehicle is decelerating sucks some of
this oil into the combustion chamber. This oil as well as
some part of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by
the high temperature combustion gases during the
combustion process.
 Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake valves.
Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is burned along with the fuel.
High temperature exhaust gases also burn the oil used to
lubricate the exhaust valve stems.

ENGINE
554The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the
viscosity of the oil, the quality of the oil and the way the
vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed by high±speed driving and frequent
acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings
and cylinder walls have not become conditioned.
Oil consumption:
Max. 1.0 L per 1000 km (1.1 qt./600 miles,
0.9 Imp. qt./600 miles)
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in
mind that the oil may have become diluted, making it
difficult to judge the true level accurately.
For example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips and
consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show
any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000 km (600 miles)
or more. This is because the oil is gradually becoming diluted
with fuel or moisture, making it appear that the oil level has not
changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is then
driven at high speeds, as on an expressway, making it appear
that oil is excessively consumed after driving at high speeds.
Importance of engine oil level check
One of the most important points in proper vehicle
maintenance is to keep the engine oil at the optimum level so
that oil function will not be impaired. Therefore, it is essential
that the oil level be checked regularly. Lexus recommends that
the oil level be checked every time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to serious engine trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see ªChecking the
engine oil levelº described below.USED ENGINE OIL