2004 Lexus GX470 transmission

AUDIO
346(e) Changing a multiplex transmission (video CD only)
Push the Main/Subº switch to change a multiplex
transmission. The mode changes from Main/Sub to Main
to Sub and back to Main/Sub by pushing the Main/Subº
switch.(f) Changing the initial setting (video CD only)
1Controller button2Screen switch
Push the SET UPº button on the controller or the Set
Upº switch on the screen, and the initial setting screen will
appear. You can change the initial setting. (See (k)
Changing the initial settingº on page 328 for details.)
After the setting is done, the player plays from the beginning
of the chapter or the track.

SECTION 3 ± 1
366
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three-way catalytic converters367 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution370 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine372 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock372 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake374 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine374 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission376 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four-wheel drive system384 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear view monitor system388 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control392 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear height control air suspension395 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic modulated suspension402 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Active traction control system403 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle stability control system405 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Downhill assist control system408 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hill-start assist control system411 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system413 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system417 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators426 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limited-slip differential427 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARTING AND DRIVING
373
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ONº position if the engine
is not running. The battery will discharge and the
electronic ignition system could be damaged.
ACCº Ð Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ACCº or LOCKº position and open
the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
LOCKº Ð Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from ACCº to the LOCKº position, you must
put the transmission selector lever in the Pº position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobilizer system is
automatically set. See Engine immobilizer systemº on page
14.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
LOCKº 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 ACCº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
376
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of Pº position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in ONº
position. ()
31PY039

The shift position is displayed beside the selector lever
and on the instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R:Reverse position
N:Neutral position
D:Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive possible)
4:Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive not
possible)
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from Dº to 4º, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
394.
3, 2:Position for more powerful engine braking
L:Position for maximum engine braking

STARTING AND DRIVING
377 Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the 3º, 2º and Lº positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(h) Driving in second start mode
(a) Normal driving

1Pº (Park) position2Nº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in How to start the
engineº on page 374.
The transmission must be in Pº or Nº. The engine will not start
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
STARTº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
378

1Brake pedal2Dº (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to Dº.
Always use the Dº 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 Dº position. (See (b) Using engine brakingº and (f)
Good driving practiceº 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 4º 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 brakingº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
379
(b) Using engine braking
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1Shift into the 4º position. The transmission will downshift
to fourth gear and engine braking will be enabled.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from Dº to 4º, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. If
you need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 394.
2Shift into the 3º position. The transmission will downshift
to third gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than the speed listed below and stronger engine braking
will be enabled.
Transfer Hº 133 km/h (83 mph)
Lº 52 km/h (32 mph)
3Shift into the 2º position. The transmission will downshift
to second gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes
lower than the speed listed below and more powerful
engine braking than that of 3º position will be enabled.
Transfer Hº 90 km/h (56 mph)
Lº 35 km/h (22 mph)
4Shift into the Lº position. The transmission will downshift
to first gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than the speed listed below and maximum engine braking
will be enabled.
Transfer Hº 47 km/h (29 mph)
Lº 18 km/h (11 mph)
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to spin or skid.

STARTING AND DRIVING
380
(c) Using the 3º, 2º and Lº positions
The 3º, 2º and Lº positions are used for strong engine braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in 3º, 2º or Lº, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in Dº.
With the selector lever in 3º or 2º, the vehicle will start in first
gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in Lº, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over-rev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given below for your
reference:
Transmission Transfer
Lº Hº
3º 53 km/h (33 mph) 136 km/h (85 mph)
2º 36 km/h (22 mph) 93 km/h (58 mph)
Lº 21 km/h (13 mph) 54 km/h (33 mph)
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the 3º, 2º or Lº position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, 4º position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.