2003 Lexus GX470 fuel

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
85
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn the cap
counterclockwise by 90 degrees (to the pressure point
1
), and then turn it an additional 30 degrees (to
point 2
). Pause slightly before removing it.
Although a click will be heard as you turn the cap to point
1
,
it does not indicate that the cap can be removed.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh when the cap is
opened.
15PY017
3. The removed cap can be stored on the back side of the
fuel filler door.
Position the cap so that the hooks point to the left and right or
up and down, and set it in the receptacle on the back side of
the door.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
86When installing the cap, turn the cap clockwise until you
hear one click. When you hear the click, the cap is fully
closed.
CAUTION

Make sure the cap is installed securely to prevent fuel
spillage in case of an accident.
 Use only a genuine Lexus fuel tank cap for
replacement. It is designed to regulate fuel tank
pressure.
NOTICE
Observe the following precautions. Otherwise, the cap
could be damaged or become hard to open.
Apply force only in the turning direction to the cap.
Do not pull or pry it.
 Do not tighten the cap further after you hear one click
when installing.
MOON ROOF
 1 Open2 Close
To slide open the moon roof, push the switch on the
“SLIDE OPEN” side for about 1 second. The moon roof
will fully open. To stop partway, push the same side or
“TILT UP” side briefly.
The sunshade can be opened or closed manually. However,
if you open the moon roof, the sunshade will be opened with
the moon roof.
When the moon roof is fully opened, the wind deflector raises
to reduce the entering of the strong wind. The angle of the
deflector is changed according to the vehicle speed.
To close the moon roof, push the switch on the “TILT UP”
side for about 1 second. The moon roof will fully close.
To stop partway, push the same side or “SLIDE OPEN”
side briefly.

AIR CONDITIONING
185
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, push the air intake
control
button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The indicator light will
come on.
For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control button
set to the OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is used during
heating, the windows will fog up more easily.
If manual onoff of the air conditioning is desired
Push the “A/C” button to turn the air conditioning on and push
it again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperature
is lowered down to around 0 C (32F).
If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry weather or
removing frost or exterior fog on the windshield, turn the air
conditioning off once it is no longer required. This will improve
fuel economy. The air conditioning can be used for year −round
automatic temperature control including cooling and
dehumidifying operation.
If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the
indicator of the “A/C” button will blink. If the indicator of the
“A/C” button blinks even when the “A/C” button is pushed
again, have the compressor checked by your nearest Lexus
dealer.
(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
To remove interior fog on the windshield
Push the windshield air flow button.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield
1. Push the “TEMP” button to set the maximum temperature.
2. Push the windshield air flow button.
3. Push the fan speed control button on the right side to obtain
a maximum air flow.
4. Leave the “A/C” button off.
When the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defogging function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used.

STARTING AND DRIVING
297
THREEWAY CATALYTICCONVERTERS
Threeway catalytic converters are emission control
devices installed in the exhaust system.
The purpose is to reduce pollutants in the exhaust gas.
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible materials away from
the exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The
exhaust gas is very hot.
 Do not drive, idle or park your vehicle over anything
that might burn easily such as grass, leaves, paper or
rags.
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases flowing into the
threeway catalytic converter may cause it to overheat
and create a fire hazard. To prevent this and other
damage, observe the following precautions:
 Use only unleaded gasoline.
 Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level; running
out of fuel could cause the engine to misfire, creating
an excessive load on the threeway catalytic
converter.
 Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed for more
than 20 minutes.
 Avoid racing the engine.
 Do not pushstart or pullstart your vehicle.
 Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle is
moving.
 Keep your engine in good running order.
Malfunctions in the engine electrical system, electric
ignition system or fuel system could cause an
extremely high threeway catalytic converter
temperature.
 If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, take your vehicle in for a checkup as
soon as possible. Remember, your Lexus dealer
knows your vehicle and its threeway catalytic
converter system best.

STARTING AND DRIVING
299
To allow proper operation of your vehicle’s
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
 If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with
the windows open and the back door closed. Have
the cause immediately located and corrected.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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
300
IGNITION SWITCH WITH STEERINGLOCK
“START” Starter motor on. The key will return to the
“ON” position when released.
For starting tips, see page 302.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle of the tachometer, fuel
gauge or engine coolant temperature gauge returns to the
bottom position when the ignition switch is turned to the
“START” position.
“ON” Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
It is not malfunction even if the needle on the speedometer may
move when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” 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.
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
302
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Cranking hold function
Once you turn the ignition key to “START” position and release
it, the cranking hold function continues to crank the engine in
“ON” position until it starts.
The function stops cranking the engine after about 25 seconds
maximum if the engine has not started yet. When you crank
the engine again, wait a few seconds and restart it.
If you hold the key in “START” position, the function will keep
cranking for about 30 seconds maximum.
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in “P”. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in “N”. A
starter safety device will prevent the starter from operating if
the selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving
off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
“Before cranking”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air −fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot
engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the acce lerator pedal, turn the ignition key
to “START” position, then release it.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are ready
to drive.
If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up for a
few minutes before driving. Do not leave the vehicle while the
engine is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start ...
See “If your vehicle will not start” on page 359.
NOTICE
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
305
 1 Brake pedal 2 “D” (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the “D” position. (See “(b) Using engine braking” and\
“(f)
Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
When the lever is in the “4” position, the automatic
transmission system will select the most suitable gear for the
running conditions such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see “(b) Using engine braking”.