2004 Lexus GX470 traction control

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
63
(f) ABSº Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ONº
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 ABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the following systems do not operate, but
the brake system still operates conventionally.
Anti-lock brake system
Brake assist system
Active traction control system
Vehicle stability control system
Downhill assist control system
Hill-start assist control system
When the ABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti-lock brake system does not
operate, so that the wheels will lock up during a sudden braking
or braking on slippery road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the components monitored
by the warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ONº position, or remains on.
The light comes on while you are driving.A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the ABSº warning light remains on together with the
brake system warning light, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
In this case, not only the anti-lock brake system will fail
but also the vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking.
Either of the following conditions may occur, but do not
indicate a malfunction:
The light may stay on for about 60 seconds after the ignition
key is turned to the ONº position. It is normal if it turns off
after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the
light. It is normal if it turns off after a few seconds.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
65
(j) VSC TRACº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
following.
Vehicle stability control system
Active traction control system
Downhill assist control system
Hill-start assist control system
The light will come on when the ignition key turned to ONº, and
will go off after a few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the warning light may stay on for 60
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the ONº position.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the lights.
It is normal if they go out after a few seconds.
There is no problem when the VSC TRACº warning light
comes on when the brake actuator temperature becomes high.
If the light comes on while driving, the above mentioned
systems do not work. However, as conventional braking
operates when applied, there is no problem to continue your
driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
The warning light does not come on after the ignition key is
turned to ONº.
The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to ONº.
The warning light comes on while driving.
(k) KDSSº Warning Light (vehicles with kinetic
dynamic suspension system)
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
kinetic dynamic suspension system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
ONº position and will go off after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, bring your vehicle to your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible and have it checked.
(l) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off the
engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the engine drive
belt.
If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the
battery properly.
If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until the
battery is discharged. Turn off the air conditioning, blower,
radio, etc., and drive directly to the nearest Lexus dealer or
repair shop.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
69 4. Turn the ignition key to ONº.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.

w72a
w73
The following service reminder indicator goes off after a few
seconds.


The anti-lock brake system warning light, vehicle stability
control system off indicator light and vehicle stability control
system and active traction control system warning light may
stay on for about 60 seconds after the ignition key is turned to
the ONº position. It is normal if they go out after a while.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off after about 6 seconds.
If any service reminder indicator or warning buzzer does not
function as described above, have it checked by your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible.

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
385
NOTICE
As soon as the center differential lock switch is turned
on, the VSC OFFº indicator light comes on. After the
wheels are out of the ditch or off the slippery or bumpy
surface, turn the center differential lock switch off.
Make sure the center differential lock indicator light and
vehicle stability control system off indicator light turn
off.
Hº (high speed position, center differential unlocked):
Lever at Hº, center differential lock button left out
Use this for normal driving on all types of roads, from dry
hard-surfaced roads to wet, icy or snow-covered roads. This
position gives greater economy, quietest ride, least wear and
better vehicle control.
Hº (high speed position, center differential locked): Lever
at Hº, center differential lock button pushed in
Use this for greater traction when you experience a loss of
power, such as wheel slipping, in the center differential unlock
mode.
Nº (neutral position): Lever at Nº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The vehicle must be
stopped.Lº (low speed position, center differential unlocked):
Lever at Lº, center differential lock button left out
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use this for climbing
or descending steep hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in
sand or mud.
In this mode, the braking feeling that occurs when the wheels
are negotiating a sharp corner is further reduced than in the Lº
(low position, center differential locked) mode.
Lº (low speed position, center differential locked): Lever
at Lº, center differential lock button pushed in
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use this for hard
pulling in situations the vehicle cannot negotiate even in the Lº
(low speed position, center differential unlocked) mode. Also,
using this mode when driving down steep off-road inclines will
help contribute to increased vehicle stability.

STARTING AND DRIVING
386The indicator light tells when the differential lock is engaged.
Note that the differential is not still locked as long as the
indicator light remains off.
When the operation is not completed, the indicator blinks. If the
indicator light does not go off when you push out the center
differential lock switch, drive straight ahead while accelerating
or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
The center differential lock system operation is not completed
within 5 seconds while the cruise control system is set, cancel
the cruise control system. To cancel the cruise control system,
see Cruise controlº on page 392.
If the indicator light does not go off when you push out the
center differential lock button, drive straight ahead while
accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
See (b) Shifting procedureº for further instructions.
Advice for driving on slippery roads in Lº (low speed
position) mode
If you shift the four-wheel drive control lever to Lº, the
automatic transmission lever to 2º when you drive in steep
off-road areas, the output of the brake can be controlled
effectively by the active traction control system, which assists
the driver to control the driving power of 4 wheels.
Use the Lº position of the automatic transmission lever for
maximum power and traction when your wheels get stuck or
when you drive down a steep incline. In the following cases,
the out put of the brake can be controlled by the active traction
control system if the engine speed is under 3,000 rpm
(normally engine speed is under 3,000 rpm when the wheels
get unstuck).The four-wheel drive control lever in the Lº position and the
automatic transmission lever in the Lº position or the
automatic transmission lever in the Dº or 2º with the
transmission downshifting to the first gear.
The four-wheel drive control lever in the Lº position and the
automatic transmission lever in the Rº position
(As for the automatic transmission lever positions, see
Automatic transmissionº on page 376.)

STARTING AND DRIVING
403 When your vehicle is loaded heavily or you are driving in an
unpaved road, the mode
3
or 4
will be recommended. To
provide good vehicle stability, the damping effect will be harder
than for ordinary driving mode.
With the four-wheel drive control lever at Lº, the damping
effect suitable for off-road driving will be provided in any mode.ACTIVE TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM
The active traction control system automatically helps
prevent the spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is
started or accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ONº, the system
automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power to the 4 wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.

STARTING AND DRIVING
404

Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during the ordinary driving so that it
can operate when needed.
You may hear a 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 active traction control
system is in the self-check mode, but does not indicate a
malfunction.
When the active traction control system is operating, the
following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the 4 wheels. At this
time, the slip indicator light blinks.
You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to ONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
VSC TRACº warning light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
following.
Active traction control system
Vehicle stability control system
Downhill assist control system
Hill-start assist control system
When the system is normal and the ignition key is turned to
ONº, the warning light will come on and will go off after a few
seconds. It is not a malfunction that the warning light may stay
on for 60 seconds after the ignition key is turned to the ONº
position.