steering LEXUS LX470 2006 Owner's Guide

SECTION 3 – 1
253
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three−way catalytic converters254
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Engine exhaust caution 255
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Before starting the engine 256
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Ignition switch 256
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Parking brake 258
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How to start the engine 258
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Automatic transmission 259
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Four−wheel drive system 266
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Rear view monitor system 269
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Lexus night view system 272
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Cruise control 275
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Active height control suspension (AHC) 279
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Adaptive variable suspension (AVS) 287
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Active traction control system 288
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Vehicle stability control system 290
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Variable gear ratio steering system 293
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Brake system 295
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 299
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Tire pressure warning system 299
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STARTING AND DRIVING
256
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height
and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when turning the key to “ON”, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH
31X002a
“START” Starter motor on. The key will return to the
“ON” position when released.
For starting tips, see page 258.
“ON” Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the “ON” position if the engine
is not running. The battery will discharge and the
electronic ignition system could be damaged.
“ACC” Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.

STARTING AND DRIVING
257
If you leave the key in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and open
the driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
31X003a
“LOCK” Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from “ACC” to the “LOCK” position, you must
put the transmission selector lever in the “P” position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobilizer system is
automatically set. See “Engine immobilizer system” on page
11 .
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
“LOCK” position. To free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering wheel slightly while
turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, turn the key only to “ACC”.
It is not a malfunction if the needles on all meters and gauges
move slightly when the key is turned to the “ACC”, “ON” or
“START” position.
Several hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear a
sound coming from underneath the luggage compartment for
several minutes. This is normal operation and does not
indicate a malfunction. (See page vii.)

STARTING AND DRIVING
281
Yes= The mode can be selected.
No = The mode cannot be selected.
Low
modeNormal modeHigh
mode
At vehicle
stoppageYe sYe sYe s
Under about 30
km/h (19 mph)NoYe sYe s
About 30 km/h
(19 mph) or overNoYe sNo
In the following cases the active height control
suspension does not operate even if the above conditions
are all met.
 The brake pedal has been depressed for longer than about
5 seconds with the vehicle stopped.
 The suspension fluid temperature is lower than −30 C
(−22 F). If the engine is warmed up, the suspension fluid
temperature will be raised as the inside of the engine
compartment becomes warmer. Then the active height
control suspension becomes operable.
 Driving on bumpy roads, which may cause the suspension
to fully elongate.
 The steering wheel is operated abruptly more than 3/4 turn
with center differential lock system activated.
(d) Vehicle height adjustment
31X049b
 1
Higher 2Lower
To change the mode, push the height select switch on
either side of “ ” and “
”.
The height control indicator light indicates which mode is
selected. (See page 284.)
NOTICE
 If you change the vehicle height frequently, the pump
may overheat. To prevent this, the active height
control suspension should be stopped temporarily
for a minute between selections. Operate it again.

STARTING AND DRIVING
292Depressing
the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the lights.
It is normal if they go off after a few seconds.
When the “VSC/TRAC” warning light and “VSC OFF” indicator
light come on, the vehicle stability control system is not
operating, but there is no problem if you continue to drive.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
 The “VSC/TRAC” warning light, “VSC OFF” indicator light
and slip indicator light do not come on after the ignition is
turned to on.
 The “VSC/TRAC” warning light and “VSC OFF” indicator
light remain on after the ignition is turned to on.
 The “VSC OFF” indicator light comes on while driving
without pushing the center differential lock switch.
CAUTION
Active traction control system, vehicle stability
control system and antilock brake system are
electronic systems designed to help the driver
maintain control under adverse conditions. They are
not a substitute for safe driving practices. Factors
including speed, road conditions and driver steering
input can all affect whether active traction control
system, vehicle stability control system and
antilock brake system will be effective in preventing
a loss of control. Always keep safety driving in mind.
If the slip indicator light flashes, sounding an alarm,
special care should be taken while driving.
 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. (See “Checking and replacing tires” on
page 438.)

STARTING AND DRIVING
293
VARIABLE GEAR RATIO STEERINGSYSTEM
The variable gear ratio steering system adjusts the wheel
turning angle depending on the vehicle speed and how
much you turn the steering wheel.
The vehicle wheel turning angle will be changed with a smaller
degree of wheel maneuvering when you are driving at very low
speed such as when putting your vehicle into a garage.
In the following cases, to prevent the system from overheating,
the system could be temporarily deactivated with the change
in the center position of the steering wheel. This is not a
malfunction. After the cause of the problem is eliminated, the
system will return to normal automatically after a few minutes.
 If you continue maneuvering the steering wheel when the
vehicle is stopped or running at very low speed
 If you continue driving holding the steering wheel to the
extreme right or left
 If you maneuver the steering wheel immediately after
starting the engine at less than about −30C (− 22F) While the system is not functioning, a larger degree of wheel
maneuvering is needed during driving at low speed. If the
center position of the steering wheel is changed frequently,
have your vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
Take due care especially when driving at low speed as
the vehicle changes direction in greater proportion to
the steering wheel maneuvering.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery with the steering wheel
turned, or the center position of the steering wheel
could be slightly and temporarily changed. However,
after driving for a short while, the system will return to
normal
and the center position of the steering wheel will
be in the appropriate position.
The light will flash if you disconnect and reconnect the battery
terminal. This is because the system is reset temporarily.
However, it is no problem to drive. To turn off the light, drive for
a short while. The system will be set automatically and return
to normal.

STARTING AND DRIVING
294
Variable gear ratio steering system failure
warning
31x500b
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
variable gear ratio steering system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to “ON”
and will go off after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the system is not working.
Although conventional steering operates when maneuvered,
a larger degree of wheel maneuvering (than at the time when
the system is functioning properly) is needed when driving at
low speed. At this time, the center position of the steering
wheel could be changed. Although it is no problem to continue
driving, have your vehicle repaired at your Lexus dealer. In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer.

The warning light does not come on after the ignition key is
turned to “ON”.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to “ON”.
 The warning light comes on while driving.

STARTING AND DRIVING
295
BRAKE SYSTEM
This brake system has 2 independent hydraulic circuits. If
either circuit should fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your stopping distance will
increase. Also, the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses brake fluid pressurized by the pump
to power−assist the brakes. If the brake booster fails during
driving, the brake system warning light comes on and buzzer
sounds continuously. In this case, the brakes may not work
properly. If they do not work well, depress the brake pedal
firmly. If the brake system warning light comes on, immediately
stop your vehicle and contact your Lexus dealer.
The brake system warning light may stay on for about 60
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position.
It is normal if the light turns off after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the brake
system warning light and buzzer. It is normal if the light goes
out and the buzzer stops sounding after a few seconds. 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.
Antilock brake system
The antilock brake system is designed to automatically
help prevent lockup of the wheels during a sudden brake
or braking on slippery roa d 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
296The 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 brake 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 antilock 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.
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the antilock brake system:
Although the antilock brake system assists in
providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care and maintain a moderate speed and
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, because
there are limits to the vehicle stability and effectiveness
of steering wheel operation even with the antilock
brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its capability, or if
hydroplaning occurs during high speed driving in the
rain, the antilock brake system does not provide
vehicle control.
Antilock brake system is not designed to shorten the
stopping distance: Always drive at a moderate speed
and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles without an antilock
brake system, your vehicle may require a longer
stopping distance in the following cases:
 Driving on rough, gravel or snowcovered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.

STARTING AND DRIVING
300
31x608
Tire pressure warning light
The tire pressure warning light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes off after a few
seconds. This means the tire pressure warning light is
operating properly. If the tire inflation pressure becomes low,
the light comes on again. In this case, adjusting the tire
inflation pressure will turn off the light after a few minutes. If the
light blinks, the tire pressure warning system is not working
properly.
Indicator status
MeaningsDo this
ONTire inflation
pressure is lowAdjust the tire
inflation pressure
BlinkingTire pressure
warning system
malfunctionHave the system
checked at your
Lexus dealer
CAUTION
If the tire pressure warning light comes on, be sure to
observe the following precautions. Failure to do so
could cause loss of vehicle control and result in death
or serious injury.
 Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure immediately.
 If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after
tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that
you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If the tire is flat,
change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired
by the nearest Lexus dealer.
 Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle
tires deteriorate, you could lose control of the
steering wheel or the brakes.